With an eager haste, Razor pulls shut her creaky front door and spins around to behold the sleeping town of Ponyville. Wind blows through her mane, sending a pleasant chill down her spine as she makes her way through her yard towards the road. The rustling of leaves blowing through the black, empty streets invigorates her with a sense of opportunity!
"What a peaceful place this is at night! It's ashame I never did this before." Razor happily walks further down the street staring down the black alleys between the buildings wondering what secrets they concealed! She knew there probably was none, but she still loved the mystery. "I need to travel somewhere?" She thought scanning the thatched rooftops lining the dark horizon. At the end of the road was a lamp post lighting up a nearby bench, "First destination.. The Bench!"
After a few hoofsteps, she reached her destination! In triumph she lays down on the bench and begins to ponder, "Now what?" Looking up into the stars a faint glint catches her eye. She turns her head towards its direction and sees a shimmering spectactacle of twinkling stars. "Ooh! I've never seen a star shower before!"
But as soon as Razor gets a good look at them, they all freeze mid-flight. "Huh!?" Razor, startled by the lack of movement, gets up from the bench while keeping a close eye on the shower. As she moves up and away from the bench the twinkles begin to move again but instead of descending, they move everywhere! "What the buck is..." Razor notices the twinkles seem confined in a tree shaped space. "Oh, its Twilight's castle." "Second Destination!"
In a nearby building, a pony is awoken from his slumber. He grunts awake and rolls out from under the covers. "Ugh, who's awake at this hour?" The voice of a young mare echos through his open window. He sleepily trudges over to it and looks out. Across the street from him, under a lamp stands the pony he least suspected to see.
A small squeak of loneliness whimpers out from his bed as a tired, and now frustrated mare wakes up. "Cagey?" She rubs her eyes, "Cagey? What are you doing?" He looks back at her and whispers, "Guess who's wandering the streets? Razor Sharp!"
"Who?" The confused mare whispers back yawning and squinting. "The pony that moved in last week... the one I saw dragging bloody pelts into the forest." The mare's eyes quickly snap open as she begins to wake up. "Razor Sharp! What's she doing?" The mare sits up in bed and attempts to peak out the window. "Nothing, just standing there talking to herself about... Princess Twilight's castle?" He tilts his ears and listens intently as Razor continues her ramble.
"It's so pretty! I can't wait to get a closer look... Actually, the night is still young. Maybe I could stop by all their houses?" Cagey is startled by the news, "What is it?" asks the mare. "She said she's going to visit the castle and the rest of 'their' houses?" Razor looks back up at the sparkling tree and trots out from under the street lamp. "Have the gaurds arrived from Canterlot yet?" The mare asks concerned for the safety of her princess. "No, not yet."
"Well... maybe you should go after her. To make sure she isn't, a spy or something?" He looks back at her loathing the idea. She stares back at him with a sincerely worried look, convincing him to come to a conclusion. "Alright, I'll be back soon."
"Thank you." She whispers back admirably watching him as he grabs his black trench coat out of the closet. He drapes it over his brown fur concealing himself and slips his hoofs through the legs. Seeing him back in his old coat excites her, filling her head with romantic ideas. "Bye!" she happily whispers to him as he silently steps through the door.
"Bye." He closes the door behind him and starts his way down the hall. He hears a squee come from the bedroom as he leaves, "Wow... I can't believe I'm actually going to give up what was going to be a great nights sleep just because she's 'worried' about her Princess." He stops by a door down the hall and looks in at the two fillies sleeping in their beds. A soft smile spreads across his face as he sighs, "The things I do for your mother." He quietly steps down the stairs into the living room. He grabs his hat off of the rack and expertly tosses it onto his head. Pressing it down a little further for a more snug fit on his yellow mane, he opens up the front door and walks outside.
Across the street from his house the bench sits empty, with the shimmering light above it in the night sky. The cold night air sends a ver unpleasent chill down his spine as he crosses the street. "This is stupid! She's just a crazy pony that wants to see the castle, Big Deal! I should just, go back to bed." When he gets to the bench another cold breeze wafts under his coat angering him further. He turns back to head home, but pauses when he notices a movement in his bedroom window. With her head in her hooves his wife looks back at him smiling. She waves a hoof whispering "Hi!" He smiles back and waves, "Ugh, nevermind I'll go."
*****
Through the alleyways Razor roams, guided by the sparkling palace on the outskirts of Ponyville. Through the darkness she trips over a few cans here and there, but makes it through with relative ease. At the end of the alley the tall grass of the forest encroaches into it, wavingunderneath the grand display of shimmering lights across the crystal castle. The scene of the giant crystal tree in the middle of the meadow fills her soul with awe.
"I wonder if it's unlocked?" In her excitement she answers to her own thoughts. "Well let's go see!"
"That's her alright." Cagey mumbles to himself, crouched in the bushes near the alley adjacent to the one Razor is now cantering out of. He watches as her speed increases into what seems like a full on sprint. "What in the world is she doing?"
Razor sprints through the tall grass of the field as fast as her hooves can take her. Between her panting breaths she says to herself, "Grass... is... damp... and.. tall... perfect!" With the last of her energy she bolts into a ludicrously fast sprint.
"What in the world!" Cagey says out loud as he watches the head of the crazy sprinting mare dip down infront of her. Her hind legs fly up into the air as she tucks in her head and braces for impact. She lands on her side and instantly begins to roll out of control. Her legs fly about wildly as she tumbles over and over through the grass at breakneck speed. After a few yards she begins to scream as she continues uncontrollably flailing about.
A few more yards later she finally thumps to a halt. He watches in shock as her lifeless body lays sprawled across the field half-way to the castle. He stares on further, wondering what just happened. "Did she trip? Is she dead!? Maybe I should check on her?" He steps out from his bush and begins to walk in her direction.
Razor opens her eyes and looks up through the tunnel of grass into the night sky, proud of the excellent crash she had always wanted to do. She wraps her hooves around the grass and pulls it in towards her. After a long whiff she lets out a satisfied exhale. "Ah! It's nice to get out once in a while." She curls up her legs and rolls over onto her stomach. After shaking the dew off of her she looks around to see if anyone saw her.
Cagey quickly drops down into the grass, hoping she doesn't notice the black hump his coat makes. A few moments of silence pass before he decides to raise his head and check. When he looks up past the swaying blades he sees Razor trotting up to the castle. "Did she do that on purpose?" He raises up from the tall grass to get a better look. Under his breath he mumbles to himself, "I don't think she's a spy. But she defenitely is insane." He stands watching her for a bit as he contemplates the idea of going back to bed. Although, he had already gone this far, why turn back now?
Razor slowly walks up to the grand stairs leading up to the massive crystal doors. Now that she is closer to it, she can make out what most of the castle looks like. As she gazes across its crystal surface, she trots her way up the steps. "To think, I know someone who's friends with the owner of this magnificent place." She makes her way to the top of the stairs and takes a closer look at the four engraved princesses across it. While looking at it she notices that the bottom corner of one door isn't finished yet.
"That's weird?" She looks more closly at it and lays her hoof on the door for support. It shifts slightly under the weight, causing her to quickly let up. "Are they unlocked?" she wonders out loud, pressing her hoof against the door once more. She pushes a little harder this time and manages to open it about two feet.
"It is! Oh..." she catches herself before talking any more. "Maybe I should just think what I want to say for now on?" Cautiously she pokes her head through the opening. The sheer size of the inside stuns her. Her eyes drift across the giant chamber examining the many spiraling staircases and pillars that hold up the castle above. The main chamber alone stands as an outstanding testiment to architecture, and before long Razor begins taking in the details. Though the chamber is dim she can still makes out the hundreds of historical events illustrated across the surfaces of the pillars. Most of the pillars that is, a few weren't finished yet.
"More unfinished engravings?" The sound of a hoofstep behind her grabs her attention. "What are you doing?"
Razor stutters backing out of the doorway to face whoever it was behind her. "Uh, ah... um. What?" The black concealing attire of the stallion gives her an uneasy feeling, along with his angry eyes. Calmly he reiterates, "I said, what are you doing?"
Razor backs her tail end into the opening of the chamber doors preparing for a quick escape inside. Her fear increases as he takes a small step closer, she nervously gulps remembering horrible encounters with bullies in her younger years. "Nothing..."
He chuckles in disbelief from her statement. "Huh. I was just taking a night stroll and saw you poking your head in and thought... maybe I could help you?" Razor takes several more steps back into the door and nudges it open a few more feet. Ready to sprint away, she fearfully asks, "Help, with what?"
"Help with whatever your looking for. Your looking for the princess right?" Razor barks at him, "No!" He raises his eyebrows in surprise, "Your not? Then what are you looking for?"
"Nothing... go away!" He takes a few steps back bewildered at her sudden hostility. "Ok, fine." Pushing his hat down a little further he turns back and slowly makes his way down the steps. All the while, Razor watches like a hawk making sure he doesn't turn around or do anything else.
Slowly he makes his way down the long dirt path around the field back into town. About half-way there he looks back over his shoulder at the castle. Laying on the landing at the top of the crystal stairs rests Razor, idly watching him as he makes his way down the path. "What a fruitcake. I better warn the kids, not to go out too late."
Once his black trenchcoat leaves her sight she stands up in triumph. "I'm not a naive filly anymore! When I see danger, I deal with it!" She nods her head in approval of her actions and quickly darts her eyes about making sure the coast is clear. More memories come back to her from her younger years of how bullies used to coordinate with one another just to beat her up. "I should probably leave and go home now." Razor walks back to the giant crystal doors and struggles pulling them back to to their closed positions. Once they are back in place, she makes her way down the stairs and hops back into the field.
Trudging home through the field, the damp grass brushes against her legs. Soothing them and taking her mind off of bullies and terrifing walks home from school. Under a tree near the castle she rests, she looks back at the town and wonders what the rest of their homes look like. How many dresses does Rarity have on display? What types of pastries do they sell in Sugarcube Corner? What Does a pegasus' house look like? All the questions she was hoping to answer tonight are... "Going to happen, because nopony is going push me around anymore!"
"Yeah!" Razor strikes her hoof at the ground as she prepares for another mad dash through the field. "Third destination... Sugarcube Corner!"
*****
Like a bullet she takes off through the field. Her hoofs kick up tufts of the tall grass as it whips by her. Now entering the middle of the field the temptation to jump and tumble about is strong, but her determination to see their houses tonight is stronger. Her breathing is as rapid as her heart beat as her legs carry her faster and faster.
With the wind whistling past her ears and through her main, the grass drops out from under her replaced by dirt as she enters the streets. Tilting to make the change in direction, she turns to head down the street towards Pinkie's store. Her heart beat is getting louder now and adds to the noise of the wind, breathing and hoof beats. After a few moments Sugarcube Corner comes into view and quickly disappears behind her.
"Ooh I missed it!" Soon she passes the bridge to Carousel Boutique. "Sweet Celestia! I gotta slow down." She enters into the town square and, using all her might, circles around the fountain for a while slowing her pace down to a canter. But, as soon as she stops an immense load of fatigue hits her like a stone wall.
She leans against the fountain panting heavily, trying to get through the throbbing pain in her head. While desperately trying to catch her breath she looks down into the water and leans in. She takes in a deep breath and dips down into it, sucking in as much water as she can. What seems like a full minute passes by before she pulls her head up to continue breathing. She looks back behind her at the town square and takes a seat on the ground feeling a bit more refreshed from the drink. "Ahh! That's better."
"What was that?" Cagey wonders hanging up his hat on the rack. "Sounded like hoofsteps?" He looks outside the window and sees the dust clearing. He knows exactly who did it too, and thinks about what all he'll have to say when the morning comes. He quietly makes his way upstairs and walks down the hallway to his bedroom door. "She better be thankful for what I put myself through tonight." As the door opens, it slowly reveals his empty bed. He steps inside and looks around the room. Quietly he whispers, "Naive, are you in here?"
The door quietly slides to a close behind him as a wonderful scent fills the room. From behind the door Naive's voice whispers back, "Yep." She steps out from the darkness and circles around him into the moonlight. Her mane isn't tangled like it was earlier, it is now brushed into an elegant wave that bounces with each step she takes. Once in the light she stops and looks back at him. She then, bends her head down and reaches as far as she can to stretch. "Sorry, I'm still a little... tense from bed."
A few moments longer of stretching she relaxes a little bit, but still holds the same pose. After a little wiggle from her butt, she looks back at him. With the moonlight gleaming off her captivating eyes she pleads, "Help me relax."
*****
Taking her time, and not wearing herself out like before, she makes her way down the street towards Sugarcube Corner. The bridge she passed earlier comes into few as she makes her way around the street corner. Once around both of the destinations she plans to visit appear into view, and she becomes torn between wich to visit first. Feeling a weariness in her legs she thinks, "Well Rarity's is closer, I'll go there first. Uh... Fourth destination, Carousel Boutique!"
Crossing the bridge she tiredly trots up to the store window, preparing to be dazzled by the many bejeweled dresses displayed inside. She looks inside and is dissapointed by the sight of nothing but blank curtain shades. "The shades are closed? Well, it is kind of late. I wonder what time it is?"
Razor walks around the store checking each window, hoping to find at least one with a crack in the blinds. But unfortunately, each shade is shut tight. A sudden unfortunate realization comes to her. "I bet Sugarcube Corner is all closed up too. And, AppleJack's farm is too well gaurded by cattle. And Rainbow Dash's house floats. How could I make out a cloud house in the dead of night?"
Razor looks up into the moon hoping its gaze can cheer her up. Staring up at it she notices a small rainbow falling from a cloud? She focuses a little harder and manages to make out the pillars surrounding the majestic white tower in the center. Pools of rainbows spill over the sides of the cloud, fueled by waterfalls arching out of its dome roof. "Wow! Rainbow Dash must be rich! Or maybe all pegasi have amazing homes?"
As she continues looking at the the floating mansion on the other side of town, another thought comes to her. "Isn't Fluttershy's house near Rarity's?" Razor quickly looks around for a 'small cottage' as Fluttershy described it. She looks out into the surrounding fields and find other homes nearby, but all of them look the same as the ones in town.
She moves further out into the open to get a better view, but doesn't see any sort of cottage in sight. Giving up, atleast in this area, she turns around to head back to Rarity's. On her way back a strange object catches her eye. Through the trees she spots what looks like a chicken coop next to a big bush. A big bush with a window?
Razor walks up to the trees and pushes the brush back to get a better look. "It is a window! Why does a bush have a window?" With curiosity calling her, she pushes through the brush and into the opening where the chicken coop sits. Now with a closer examination, she can make out the bottom of the bush. Which contained a wall lined with more windows and a few birdhouse scattered here and there.
Realizing it was a house she was looking at she decided to have a look around till she found a door. On her way around she is surprised at how much foliage has taken over its roof and walls. "Need some hedge clippers for this thing! I wonder if it's abandoned like mine was?" Further around the house Razor notices a bridge leading to it crossing a small creek. From the bridge all the way to the arched front door, birdhouses hang from the trees along with small doorways built into the ground around them and under the bridge.
"Whats with all the... Wait a minute, this is Fluttershy's!" Razor jumps with joy finally seeing her friends house in person. Quickly she trots up to the nearest window and peeks inside. Inside she sees what looks to be a very fancy and cozy looking bathroom. Wow! That is some fancy woodwork! Kind of reminds me of something out of Snow Whithers and the Seven Miniature Horses. I never liked that story, but I loved the illustrations!"
Razor continues walking around further, past her front door and onto the other side of her cottage. As she makes her way around, it seems the moon has gotten brighter making it easier to make out the details of Fluttersh's amazing house of nature. Once on the other side, she lifts her head up to look through the window. But the reflection of the sky behind her veiw and catches her attention. "Where did all the stars go? And why is it so... Bright!" She turns around and witnesses the moon beggining to fade over the horizon. "Uh Oh, I better get to bed! I don't want to be tired tomorrow, Fluttershy's going to come over."
Razor takes off down the road, making one final look back at Fluttershy's cottage. "Goodmorning Fluttershy!" she yells back as she quickly makes her way to and across the bridge back into Ponyville. As she speeds through the town, she sees the silhouettes of ponies waking up and getting ready for work. One even opens up his front door and steps outside.
"Hi there!" he calls out waving a hoof at Razor. Razor smiles back at him but continues on the road home. From behind her she can hear him saying to himself, "What happened to her legs?" Making her feel embarrased and pick up more speed.
*****
Finally at home, Razor looks back at the sky and doesn't see the moon at all! Just the bright blue morning, luckily without a sun. The birds have also started waking up, filling the forest with thousands of songs all jumbling together into one big mess of chirps and caws.
Razor quickly opens the door and steps inside, once inside she quickly closes the door and runs upstairs to let the oncoming wall of fatigue hit her in the privacy of her own bathroom. As she closes the bathroom door behind her, locking her once again in the darkness she loves, the wall hits her. Not nearly as bad as by the fountain, but her chest still hurts from the pain. She turns on the faucet and takes a few sips, catching her breath inbetween them.
Finally once she has relaxed, she begins to brush her teeth getting ready for bed. In the middle of brushing she hears a knock on the door. Her sister sleepily calls out to her from behind the bathroom door, "Hey Razor?"
With a mouth full of suds she answers, "What is it?"
Her sister takes a long yawn before responding, "I need to use the bathroom."
"Okay." Razor spits out the suds in her mouth and realizes that, she hasn't gone to the bathroom all day! "Hang on one more minute."
After finshing up and leaving the bathroom for her sister she crosses the hall into her bedroom. The light of the morning sun shines in through the crack in the shutters above her bed. "I bet Fluttershy's just getting up now. She'll probably be over in a few hours after her meeting. Better make these hours count."
Razor pulls back the covers and crawls into bed. The sun bouncing off the pillow next to her makes it hard to fall asleep, so she rolls over to face the back wall. She hears the bathroom door open from the hallway and tilts her ears in its direction. From the darkness her sister smiles at her, "Good morning Razor."
"Good morning to you too." With that final statement warning her of the upcoming events of today, she quickly curls up into her comfiest position and squints her eyes to attempt to fall asleep.