//------------------------------// // Unwanted Vacation (An Unwelcome One) // Story: With a Shine in His Eyes // by Kotushk Fier //------------------------------// My Ambassador, Student, and Friend, You are hereby ordered to take a break from your studies. You will find three other letters next to this one when you awaken. I believe they are from your friends in Ponyville. Perhaps you can use this time off to visit them? At any rate, I will be indisposed to teaching you for the next two weeks, and it would be unwise for you to be anywhere near me during that time. So go to Ponyville, catch up with your friends, and enjoy your time off, Novalis Shiningeyes. Royal Lunar Princess of the Stars and Moon, Princess Luna Did I do something wrong? Or worse, did I fail my test? Was she considering expelling me? No. Her letter was not worded in a way that denoted disappointment, anger, or any other malicious emotion. Perhaps she had some business far away? No, that couldn't be right either. As her ambassador, she told me she would take me on her trips in order to teach me more about my duties. Sighing, I pushed the questions and fears from my mind. I vowed to myself, on that night not so long ago, to not worry or leave her side until she dismissed me. Looking over to my bedside table, I noticed that there were in fact three other envelopes. And they were from Berry Punch, Vinyl Scratch, and somepony I didn't know. Deciding to open the unknown one first, I set to reading. Novalis, This is 1 of the 3 ponys yu met outsyde Berry Punch's house. The name's Snowshoe. The grey 1, if yu need more informashun. After that little show with Princess Luna showing up in front of yu, Ice Razor and Orange Rhyme were plotting ways to get back at yu. I did not agree with them. When we first approached yu, before Razor sayed those mean things, I was inturestid in introdusing myself. I am sorry for their actions, and would like to meet yu sometiem to properly get to know each other. Snowshoe Good grief. This colt's spelling and writing was atrocious. It looked like he was trying to use a rock to write on a boulder. But it didn't look like he was malicious, but merely caught up in his friends' tow. Perhaps I would find him somehow when I went to Ponyville. Looking over my last two letters, I debated on whose letter I would read first. Deciding with a flip of a coin, I opened Vinyl's letter and began to read. Yo, Mr. I'm too good to write or call anypony, Perhaps you forgot about me when you returned to Canterlot? C'mon, dude, you could at least give the decency of letting me know you didn't want to talk. It's not everyday a pony comes along who doesn't flip out about my eyes, but you haven't returned since. Is it politeness? Etiquette? Nah, don't need that with me. Be straight with me, and tell me if you don't want to talk to me. Best DJ in Equestria, and very pissed off unicorn, DJ Pon-3, Vinyl Scratch Crap. I really did neglect them, didn't I? Looking back over the past six months, I realized that I didn't have an excuse. Luna's classes were hard, but not really long. I could have, no, should have, found time to write my two friends. I hope Berry Punch isn't too mad. One mad mare is enough for me... Hello, Novalis, Are you doing well? I wouldn't know off hoof. I mean, you never write me. And after I promised Pinch I would introduce you. It is a shame. I found some more drinks I thought you might like. Maybe I can make business in Canterlot, and you can buy some, since you don't want to visit and try them in person. I really tried hard on them. I was hoping you might at least write me, so I had your address to mail them, too. Mailponies are good with letters, but shipping? Addresses are important, you know. Plus, it is only fair, since you know my address. Unless you forgot that as well? If you ever stop by in town, you can find me easily. With all the inspiration you gave me, I have been making more frequent trips into town. Hard to miss me, you know. Little wobbly, but still able to walk straighter than anypony else. And definitely more capable of remembering somepony than you, it seems. To Drink or not to Drink, screw it, I'm drinking... Berry Punch P.S. Berry Pinch was very excited to meet her potential new friend. I closed my eyes and sighed. Reading that passive-aggressive letter hurt. At least Vinyl came out and told me she was pissed. Punch seemed more inclined to make my heart die a bit. Guilt trips suck, I'll have you know. Always making me give in... ********** I woke up the next morning feeling slightly refreshed. I took a long, hot shower, and took extra care in making my mane and tail neat and well kept. After eating a large breakfast in preparation for my journey, I brushed my teeth and set about packing my bags. TRIP CHECKLIST: [\/] Make myself proper [\/] Pack plenty of supplies for an extended stay [\/] Obtain Makeup Presents (always keep some on hand, never hurts to be prepared) [ ] Catch carriage to Ponyville, and makeup with friends Strolling through Canterlot, I stopped at various shops along the way in order to check their wares. It never hurt to keep myself current on hot items, in case I saw something really good.