//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: Duties // by Hiver //------------------------------// “…And we’re back…” Sunset commented and looked around the cabin, “Yay.” “You can stay in your own cabin if you prefer,” I teased and poked her side with my wing. “No thanks!” With that she trotted over and jumped onto the couch, “…Though to be fair, I should get the bed this time around.” I just rolled my eyes, “Fine.” Not like that couch was exactly uncomfortable. Besides, it was only for a week and I would be spending most of it reading anyway. Sunny perked up at that, “What, really?” “Why not? I did have it last trip,” I agreed. She jumped off the couch and trotted past me with a smile, “Thank you.” Yeah, I know. I’m awesome. “Sir?” Amber asked and I turned to her. “Yeah?” “Captain Stellarite wishes you to know we are about to head off and is wondering if you want to observe from the top deck this time as well?” she asked, wings slowly buzzing. I shook my head, “Not this time I think, it’s been a long day. Thank you, Amber.” “Of course, sir.” Next time I looked, she was gone again. Changelings are awesome. Amber seemed to take pride in her ability to only be seen when she needed to be. I know she was a harvester before and preferred that way to gather love. Passively by staying hidden close to… well… She was even better at hiding than Skitter. Now how to spend a week of travels? Didn’t feel like writing right now, but a nap sounded rather nice. Luna would be asleep by now, I could let her know the good news. Settling down on the couch, I closed my eyes and drifted on into the dream realm. It looked like always and I… Omph! Woke up violently as Sunset landed on me! “Do you mind!?” I asked, looking up at her. “Bored.” “It’s been five minutes!” I groaned up at her. She grinned and scooted off me, “I’m bored. Don’t we have board games or something?” “Go pick something out then,” I said and rubbed my eyes as I surrendered. Yeah, as long as she was in this kind of mood, I’m not getting any sleep. “Chess?” she asked as she returned with the board. “Sure,” I agreed and sat up, “Looking forward to getting back?” Sunset nodded as she started to set up the pieces, “I do. It was interesting to see this place, but I miss Canterlot and Twi. I think I’ll go visit Ponyville when we get back. You?” “Something similar,” I admitted, “Want to get back and curl up by the fireplace with Luna for Hearth's Warming." “Mmm, that does sound nice,” Sunny admitted and took the first move, “Twi might come back to Canterlot with me for Hearth's Warming. She does always spend it with Princess Celestia after visiting her parents.” “And the evening with you. By your own fireplace.” Sunset actually blushes slightly, “Hopefully. I did get her something nice before we left for this, Rarity should have it done by the time I get to Ponyville.” “Oh my.” “Oh, shut it. Like you haven’t done that for Princess Luna,” she countered and stuck her tongue out at me as I made my move. I grinned at her, “Eh, guilty,” before I flicked my ears, before I looked at her in curiosity, “But how can you afford something from Rarity?” Sunset shrugged a bit, “…I don’t, not really. She gives me a friends and family discount normally but when she found out it was for Twi, she demanded to do it at no cost.” “Well, she is the element of generosity,” I agreed and moved my next piece, taking one of her pawns, “Still, that’s nice of her. But you know, you really should be paid more than you are.” Sunset grinned, “Yes, please. But in all honestly, it’s usually more than enough. I both eat and live for free and the stipend is calculated on needing to pay for both of those. Rarity custom stuff is just… expensive.” “Yeah, tell me about it.” Everything I got for Luna was completely custom after all, nothing off the shelf so to speak would even come close to fitting and I didn't get any kind of discount. Not like I would ever get her something off the shelf even if it was possible, she deserved the best.