November 9, 1983
As you once again walk to your position, you can't help but think about how comfortable Equestrian beds are compared to the ones back home. You can't remember the last time you slept that well.
Because of that, you can't fight the small smile that brings its way to your face as you trudge through the snow. If you're not careful, the sheer positivity of this place might rub off on you, and you'll bring it back with you when you go home.
You're broken out of your thoughts, however, when you arrive at your booth. For some reason, one of the guards is already there, sitting in your position. He quickly spots you, and the confused expression you're wearing. "Morning. What're you doing here this early?"
You give him a look. "This is my position?"
The guard returns your puzzled look, before realization flashes in his eyes, and he gives out a short laugh. "Oh, did no one tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"You get one day off a week while working here in Equestria, minimum," he explained. "For you, that just so happens to be today."
...you don't know what to say. As long as you've worked on the Arstotzkan border, you've only gotten a very small handful of days off, and almost all of them were due to outside politics forcing the border closed for the day. Never have you simply been given the day off for no reason.
"But... what will I do all day?" you ask, both to yourself and to the guard.
He shrugs. "Go out and see the town, maybe? We've got a decent amount of tourist stuff to see."
Still unsure of yourself, you nod in agreement, before walking back the way you came. In the distance, you can hear the sound of the guard calling in the first one in line. It feels odd, hearing that call but not being the one behind it.
Well, you have all day to yourself, essentially. Surely you could find something to do, right?
Oh, right, you could go look for souvenirs to buy for your family when you return, including your son's birthday present. Plus, that one purple pony said she lived somewhere around here, didn't she...?
Grestin Checkpoint
You have to fight to keep the scowl off your face. As if the beds weren't bad enough, you were rudely awaken by one of the guards here after you apparently slept in a little too long. When you explained that today was your day off for the week, he just laughed, and said you should get to your post "before we both get in trouble."
The day was passing by much too slowly after that. This was the day you were supposed to sleep in a little, and maybe go out and see the local area, but nope, turns out that in Arstotzka, days off are just a myth.
"Next!"
Another pony enters the booth, and you notice their smile drop upon seeing your less-than-happy face. "Papers, please."
They comply, levitating her documents over until you accept them in your own magic. "Are you okay, sweetie? You don't look too well."
You just let out a sigh as you begin the familiar process of checking papers. "It turns out they don't have weekly days off, here."
The mare gasps as you double check the issuing city. "That's awful!"
You give a weak smile in return. "Don't worry, I'll be able to make it."
Once her passport is stamped, you return everything to the mare. "Cause no trouble."
She just nods sympathetically as she leaves.
"Next!"
And so, you fall into your routine, albeit with a shorter temper. Thankfully, no serious issues arise from it, and you process people just fine, apart from one human who was trying to smuggle in drugs.
Eventually, you see what you think is the first human you've seen smiling since you started working here, and though his smile drops upon seeing you, it isn't replaced with hostility like you would've expected. "Papers, please."
He complies, looking at you with mild confusion, if anything. "Where is the guy who's usually here?"
"We were chosen for an employee exchange program," you explain. This guy has your curiosity piqued now. He knew the other inspector?
"Huh, well I'm sure he'll be able to handle himself, then." Expiration date is fine, entry permit checks out... "You know, he really helped me out a year ago."
You tilt your head as you look up at him. "Really?"
"Yes. I was a guard stationed here, and, well, he saved my skin more than a few times. Plus, he helped me reunite with my wife."
"Really?" You found yourself slowing down in checking his papers; you always were a sucker for a good romance.
"Yep." He laughs. "We even named our son after him!"
"Is your wife with you now?"
"Yeah, she's right behind me in line."
You eventually ensure that everything is in order, and stamp approval on his passport. "Have a good stay!"
"And you do the same!"
With that, he leaves. That entire exchange almost made you feel better about not getting the day off.
Sure enough, his wife was right behind him, carrying a child in her arms. You had no idea how to judge age in humans, but he still looked quite young. "Papers, please."
"Certainly." The woman struggles to hand you her papers while still carrying the child, but she manages with a little help from your magic, and you start looking over her documents.
"You know, your husband told me about how the previous inspector helped you out," you say, eager to start conversation.
Her eyes brighten slightly. "Oh yes, he was a great help. We would not have been able to have little ______ here," she says, hugging her child closer, who giggles in response.
Who said humans couldn't be cute?
Your good mood is shattered as you notice something in her papers, however. "Uh... I'm so sorry, miss, but... this passport is, um, expired..."
Just as quickly, her own good mood vanishes. "What? Oh, but, I could've sworn..." You notice what might be tears forming in her eyes. "Please, miss, could you let us through anyway? I... understand it would be against regulation, but..."
You feel conflicted. On the one hand, making a mistake this early into the exchange program might reflect poorly on all of Equestria. On the other, only a monster would separate a family over something as trivial as this.
After a moment of thought, you make your decision, and you notice the woman flinch as the stamp hits home. You quickly bundle everything together and look her in the eyes as you give them back.
"Cause no trouble," you say, giving a wink.
"Oh, thank you so much!" she says, even bowing slightly as she puts her papers away, then quickly leaves to follow her husband into the country.
You're sure a single "mistake" on your record can be excused.
Your spirits are significantly boosted for the rest of the day, and every entrant after that passes through or is returned with no issue.
"Next!"
You were getting ready to process what would likely be the last person for the day, so you barely even looked up as you started your usual greeting. "Papers, pl-"
When you did look up, though, you were met with a human in a hood, who had their entire face covered. They quickly slipped a piece of paper towards you, before muttering, "The Order is watching," and slinking off the way he came just as the end-of-day horn blew.
Puzzled, you pick up the paper and see what it says.
We do not trust your kind, but this is a chance to change that.
Arstotzka is ruled by tyranny and injustice. You can help us fix this.
Further instructions will come later.
You can only tilt your head in confusion as you finish reading the note. Tyranny and injustice? Sure, they didn't give you a day off, and the standards for entry are much more strict, and...
...okay, maybe they have a point.
Still, why would they want you to help? You were just a border inspector. Not really an influential job, you don't think.
Slipping the note among your other personal items, you leave the booth and head back to the barracks.
Maybe you could try to get in contact with the other inspector, see what he thinks...
Ponyville Checkpoint
Well, today was well spent, you think. You picked up something for every member of your family back home, and you even got to indulge in a little bit of local food. While finding a flower in your sandwich was an unpleasant surprise, everything else was probably the best food you remember eating in a long time.
Unfortunately, that one purple princess was off somewhere else for some sort of business, but apparently she had friends all over town, as they were all quick to tell you her name was Twilight and that she was quite the celebrity around these parts.
As you get into bed, you suddenly realize that if you had the day off, it's likely your counterpart in Grestin did not, and you can't help but feel sorry for them. Hopefully, they're not getting into too much trouble over there.