Cold Edge Anon Part 9

> You appear in someone's richly decorated bedchamber.
"Hwhat is the meaning of this?"
> You recognize that stuck up voice. You turn around and see Prince Blueblood lying in bed, a breakfast tray on his lap.
> Discord strikes a sailor moon pose.
"Fear not, Prince Blueblood, I will heal you with the power of brotherhood!"
> The elements of Brotherhood fire a multicolored beam at Blueblood's head.
> When it fades, nothing seems to have changed. Then Blueblood weeps.
"Oh Celestia, why did I drive Rarity away? She was so desirable!"
> You walk over and pat his shoulder gingerly.
"I'm sure you can find somepony else just as attractive."
> Sombra pats his other shoulder.
"Verily, I knoweth a mare who may look exactly like unto the one of which ye have spoken."
> You look at Kahnbra as if to say,
'The bug queen? Really?'
> He nods as if to say,
'Forsooth.'
> The prince clasps Yomombra's hoof and ferverently asks,
"Where can I find her?"
> Everlasting Sombrappers gestures towards Discord.
> Just as Blueblood turns to face Discord, the draconequus grabbed his hoof and they wink out of existence.
> You blink, and see Pawnbroker is similarly startled.
> You recover first.
"Well, are we not in Canterlot? Let us then seek a royal audience."
> Wombrabread nods, and you both leave Blueblood's bedchamber.
> As you walk the corridors of the palace, you start to suspect that this wasn't the wisest course, as servants flee from the sight of two obviously evil unicorns.
> Also, neither one of you have any idea where you are going.
> Finally, you throw open a random door and pounce on the first pony you see.
> It's just your luck that it's a maid making up one of the beds in a guestroom.
> Romcom stares at you in surprise.
"L-lewd!"
> You sigh, which elicits a shiver from the maid.
"Sorry to bother you ma'am, but could you show us where Celestia is?"
> That... might have been worded better.
> The maid glares at you resolutely from between your hooves.
"I will never betray the princess!"
> You slowly back off, letting her up.
"Look, I'm the liaison to the Kingdom of the Shard, and I need to arrange an audience between royalty. Could you please help me?"
> The maid slowly gets back on her hooves, clearly still spooked.
"It doesn't matter what you do to me, I'll never talk!"
> ... This is getting you nowhere fast. By now, the word has probably spread that this wing of the palace has been invaded by evil sorcerers.
> You turn to Sandra.
"Notice how loyal she is? You wouldn't get this kind of response if Celestia ruled with fear and power."
> He nods thoughtfully.
"Tell me, maid. Hath Celestia joined the servantry in their tasks?"
> The maid looks back and forth between the two of you, puzzlement edging in around the fear.
"She, ah, she occasionally dresses up as a maid and cleans an entire room, top to bottom. Why do you ask?"
> You would like to see that, one day.
> Jusomji replies,
"I wish to learn the way of ruling. Very well, lend unto me a maid's uniform, and teach me the way of cleaning. It seems I shall not achieve my other purpose this day, but this much shall I do."
> The maid blushes and stutters.
"Y-you w-want my uniform?"
> Crombra looks at her oddly.
"Not thine in particular; merely one like unto it."
> Ecchi averted.
> You hang back as the maid leads the king to the closet where such things are kept.
> You suspect that a little good cop bad cop dynamic is going on, the maid is even chatting amicably with Silverbutt.
> And it turns out he was serious about wearing a maid uniform. Weird.
> You continue to follow behind as they return to the room she was cleaning.
> It is surprisingly cute watching her correct Yomibra as he makes the bed.
> You hang out in the hall, which is why you see Celestia approach, wreathed in power and banked fury.
> You hold up a hoof in a shooshing gesture.
> She sees you, and some fury abates. She creeps along stealthily, and looks into the room.
> The grim Fomdango is wiping down the windows, while the maid dusts the furniture.
> Celestia looks at you inquiringly, but you can see a hint of a smile.
> You whisper,
"He's doing research on being a good ruler."
> Celestia turns back to find both ponies looking at her.
> She coughs.
"I take it you are the intruders?"
> bedonkadombra gently puts down the cleaning rag.
"I came seeking thy audience. Alas, much hath interfered, such that I am even as thou seest."
"Very well, ye shall have thy audience. Follow me."
> Long Johnbra nods politely to the maid as he leaves, and you follow shortly behind.
> You all come to a large chamber with a balcony overlooking the Canterlot gardens.
> Celestia indicates for you to wait outside, and closes the door behind Gamebro.
> You sit down and smile. He was still wearing the maid uniform.