//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Vacation Time! // Story: A Royal Getaway // by IronStories //------------------------------// Novo was restless the whole night. It wasn't because of all the hard work she had been doing, nor was it extreme worry over Skystar. It was excitement. Pure, untapped excitement that she hadn't felt in a long time. She was finally going to get a vacation. When she and Skystar got home the previous night, Novo held a meeting at the peak of Mount Aris to tell her subjects the news. They were a little shocked, but they were also understanding. The Queen needed to take a break from all the stressors of ruling, and they appreciated all she has done. She deserved a vacation. And best of all, Celestia, the one she considers her closest friend, would be joining her. It was just so much to take in. She just wanted to get started, but it was still the middle of the night. So she tried going back to bed. Dawn finally arrived. Novo got a little bit of sleep despite her restlessness. Drool ran across her face and her pillow. Her feathers were all ruffled. She seems to be sleeping soundly, until... "Rise and shine, Mom!" "Unnngh, just five more minutes..." Novo mumbled as Skystar came to greet her. "But Mom, you start your vacation today with Miss Celestia!" Novo's eyes were wide open. She sprung up out of bed and eagerly got ready. She got her luggage, along with everything she wanted to take on her trip. She excitedly awaited for Celestia to show up, prancing back and forth like a filly. "So that's where I got my energetic nature from..." Skystar said to herself. She's never seen her mother this excited in years. Finally, there was a knock in the door. Novo opened it, and sure enough, it was Celestia, wearing a red Honoluhoof shirt, her flowing mane in a ponytail, and her tail curled up in a bun. "Celestia!" Novo exclaimed as she came up to give her friend a big hug. "Love the new look! It suits you very well." "Thanks." Celestia replied. "You ready for a few days of rest and relaxation?" "I sure am! I've been waiting so long for one! I can't believe it's actually happening! Let's go!" "Before we do," Celestia said, "I wanted to give you a few things. You know, to really get you in that vacation mood." "Oooh!" Novo was excited to see what Celestia got for her. "What is it?" Celestia pulled out a yellow shirt similar to hers, with blue and light purple shells on it, and some hair-ties. Novo was in awe. She quickly put the shirt on and put the hair-ties on her feather mane and secondary tail feathers. She also curled up her main tail feathers in a bun to match Celestia. "How do I look?" Novo asked. "Absolutely wonderful." Celestia remarked. "Love the patterns on that shirt!" Skystar chipped in. "Look at all the shells on it! It suits you well, Mom." Novo went to get her things, eager to get started on her vacation. "Oh, how could I forget!" She turned around and headed into her room, where she grabbed 2 lists. "I wrote down a list of all the things I would like to do while on vacation, and what we should both do together! Of course, we can do what you want as well. It's just as much your vacation as mine." "Thanks," Celestia said, as she grabbed one of the lists, "but I mostly did what I wanted to do when me and Luna took our trip. This one is for you first and foremost. But we can be a little flexible." She looked at the list, completely confused. "Check on the coral gardens in Seaquestria, attend the meeting at Yakyakistan, hold the ceremony for the hippogriff fillies and hand them their pearl necklaces..." "Oh! My bad!" Novo took the list and handed Celestia the other one. "Here's the actual list. This is all the things Skystar needs to do while I'm away." She then handed that list to Skystar. "This is very important, honey." She told her daughter. "Do not lose this." "You got it, Mom!" Skystar replied. Novo got their luggage, and she, Celestia, and Skystar headed to the throne room. Celestia was looking at Novo's vacation list, while Skystar bubbly bounced along. Novo was both excited and nervous. Excited to start her vacation, but nervous for feeling like she put too much pressure on Skystar. At last, they arrived. Novo handed Skystar her crown, and she eagerly put it atop her head. Novo got slightly teary-eyed, seeing her daughter wearing her crown. "S-sorry." Novo said, holding back her tears. "I never thought I would see you wear this until you were much older." "Mom, it's only for a few days..." Skystar said. "I know, I know." Novo tried to regain her composure. "It's just... your father would be so proud of what you are doing. And I'm proud of you, too. You're doing me a huge favor. I hope it's not too much pressure." "I'll be fine. Besides, if I could help stop the Storm King, I can do anything!" Novo and Celestia chuckled. "Don't get too cocky now, dear. Do you have that list with you?" "Right here!" Skystar pulled the list from her wing. "Good, good." Novo said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Now I want you to keep that list with you at all times. Under no circumstances should you ever lose it. As Temporary Queen, it is your responsibility to do everything that list says." "I get the title of Queen?!" Skystar excitedly exclaimed, her echo ringing across the room. "Temporary Queen." Novo remarked. "Emphasis on temporary." Skystar was still pretty happy, though. She was fidgety in her mom's throne, her boundless energy refusing to be contained. Novo was a tad concerned, while Celestia chuckled a little at Skystar's eagerness. "If anything happens or you need my help, let me know immediately." Novo added. "I'll be there as soon as possible." "Don't worry about a thing, Mom. I got this!" Skystar replied. "Alright then." Novo gave Skystar a hug, then walked up to Celestia. "Ready to go?" "Ready whenever you are!" Celestia replied. She handed Novo the vacation list and put it in her shirt pocket. The two then left the throne room, ready to start their vacation together. "Goodbye, Mom! Goodbye, Miss Celestia!" Skystar said as they left. "I promise to be the best Temporary Queen ever!" As they were out of sight, Skystar sat in the throne, getting cozy and thinking to herself. "What should I do first as Temporary Queen?" She asked herself. She took a look at the list her mom made her. Meanwhile, Novo and Celestia were heading out of Mount Aris. They took to the wing and were discussing the list Novo made. "So what should we do first, Celie?" Novo asked. "Well, its your vacation, Novo, so it's your pick." Celestia replied. "Though the first thing on your list is 'Visit the Equestria Avian Sanctuary' and 'See a Countess Coloratura concert'. They're both in Manehattan, so why not knock two birds with one stone? Uh, speaking metaphorically, that is." "Sure!" Novo beamed. "Plus we can do some additional shopping too! Skystar will surely want a souvenir." The two royals soared across the sky and headed for their first destination for Novo's vacation. In but a few moments, they'll finally arrive in Manehattan!