//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Responsibilities // by Hiver //------------------------------// Gzk. A soft nuzzle slowly drew me awake, “My Page, you need to wake up.” “…ot asleep,” I grumbled and cuddled closer to the couch, “Mmm… how’s the paperwork going?” Luna sighed and settled her wing across my back, “Page, this isn’t going to work.” Groaning, I rolled over to look up at her as I slowly blinked awake, “How do you mean?” Luna shifted position to lay down fully, resting her head on my chest, “You can’t keep this up, you can’t spend all nights with me and then have meetings and such during the day.” “Luna, we’re getting married, there is no way I’ll leave you alone during the nights so that’s just plain out,” I said and stroked her flowing mane. She frowned at me, “I don’t expect you too, silly pony. But you can’t keep this up. Go back to how things were before, when you stayed until three or four and slept until noon.” “…But that means I can’t go to bed with you or wake up with you.” Luna frowned and then nodded, “That is one drawback, yes,” she agreed, “But you have responsibilities during the day. More than I do.” Sighing, I nodded and nuzzled, “…Maybe you are right. I’m always so tired.” “Of course, I’m right,” Luna said with a smile, “Better get used to it.” I stuck my tongue out at her and stole a kiss, “…Fine.” She smiled and nuzzled, “So, go to bed. I’ll ask one of the maids to wake you at noon.” “Well, I can’t now! I’m fully awake!” Luna smiled and shifted to look into my eyes, “Mmm… There is that spell that lets you fall asleep anytime you like. But maybe I can tire you out a bit instead?” That’ll work! XXXXXXXXXXXX Something shook me slightly and I forced my eyes open to see a maid with white mane carefully shaking my shoulder. …Wonder if I can get a copy of that uniform for Luna? “Sir?” she said quietly, “Time to wake up.” Nodding, I stretched and rubbed my eyes, “Thank you, Gentle Silver,” I said quietly and carefully stretched and slipped out from beneath Luna’s Wing. Or tried to anyway, Luna pulled me tight for a moment and smiled lazily, her eyes barely opening as she gave me a small kiss and whispered, “Good morning,” she mumbled. “Morning,” I mumbled back and gave her a kiss in turn, “Go bad to sleep, My Sky.” Nodding, Luna nuzzled closer to the pillow, eyes closing again. Carefully slipping out of bed, I stretched again before leaving the bedroom with a slightly blushing Gentle Silver. “Thanks for waking me,” I said and rubbed my eyes, “I’d never wake up in time otherwise.” She smiled, “Very welcome, Sir,” she said and lit up her horn, pouring me a cup of steaming hot tea, “Would you like me to wake you tomorrow as well, sir?” “…That’s probably wise, yeah. Thank you.” “Very welcome, sir. Your guard Amber is waiting outside for when you wish to leave, sir. There is also a message from Lady Shimmer.” “Hmm?” I asked and nibbled at a daisy sandwich. “She’s wondering if you would be able to move your practice session to an earlier hour, she has dinner with Princess Twilight at the normal time.” I nodded and blew on the tea, “Of course, let her know that it’s fine. Around three should work.” “Will do, sir. If that’s all?” “It is, thank you, Silver.” Smiling, she bowed and retreated out of the chamber, leaving me to my breakfast and trying to wake up. Blinking at my cup of tea, I rubbed my eyes and suppressed a yawn. Slipping back into bed and beneath Lunas warm wing again sounded really, really like a very good idea right now. Sipping my tea, I stretched my wings and then finished my sandwich as I looked out through the window. Raining again. Damn it, what were they doing over at the weather service, it’s been raining hard for three days now. That didn’t really motivate me to stay out of bed right now, especially as I didn’t really have anything much planned today for another four hours now. Glancing down at my tea, I quickly finished it before putting it down and jumping off my couch and trotting over to the door, “Morning Amber?” I said as I entered and then nodded at the guards, “Morning guys.” “Morning, sir,” Amber answered, “Sleep well?” the changeling asked as she got up from where she had been waiting. “As little as I got from it,” I agreed and stretched my wings, “Let’s go for a run, that’ll wake me up.” I’d need it or Sunset was going to wipe the floor with me later. AN// Many thanks to Seonor for betaing this section.