//------------------------------//
// Day off 
// Story: Equestrian reformation 
// by Vladilen_pro 
//------------------------------//

Knock - knock - knock.

There was only silence in the darkness. 

Knock - knock - knock. 

The knock became more insistent. The rustling of the bed was heard. 

Knock - knock - knock. 

Knocking eventually woke me up. I pulled back the covers and sat up in bed, resting my head in my hands. 

(Who the fuck could come to Twilight so early?!) 

Sleepness quickly overcame anger, and I threw on a blanket and with half-closed eyes went to open the door. When I opened the door, I saw one of those ponies who came to Twilight's at the moment when Dash and I went out for a walk. She was beige and had a two-tone mane. 

"I need to warn you!" said the beige pony suddenly, leaning on me with her front hooves. "Listen carefully!" 

My sleepy brain was not capable of processing such a flood of information, so I just nodded, wishing she would speak out soon and I went back to sleep. 

"Beware Lyr..." 

I don’t know what happened at that moment, but it seems that my brain turned off, and I fell asleep standing up for a couple of minutes.

"Hey, are you listening?!" I felt this pony shaking my shoulders. 

"Yes, yes... Speak..." I said with my eyes closed. 

"Anyway, avoid her, got it?" asked the beige pony seriously. 

"Yes of course thank you..." I said, and felt the pony take off her hooves from me. 

"Great! You're safe now if you follow my advice! Now, I've got to go. Bye!" said the beige pony and ran off towards the dark side of the street. 

(I don't know what it was, and I don't care...) 

I closed the door and lay down on the couch again. In less than a minute, I was already asleep again.

*** 

I felt a light touch on my head. When I opened my eyes, I saw that it was Twilight. 

"Hey, sleepyhead, wake up, it's already morning!" Twilight said with a smile. "Princess Celestia's chariot will be here in an hour." 

I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed. 

"Good morning, Twilight." I said sleepily. 

"Come to the kitchen, I've made breakfast." Twilight said as she walked into the kitchen. 

(Third day in Equestria... I'm doing well so far.) 

After getting dressed and making my bed, I went to the bathroom to wash my face. After my morning routine, I headed to the kitchen. When I entered the kitchen, I saw Spike making pancakes. 

"Aha, there you are! You like to sleep, don't you?" Spike asked, not looking up from cooking. 

"Well, yes, it's true..." I said, stretching. 

"Vlad, here's your pancakes!" Twilight said as she invited me to the table. 

I sat down at the table and started to have breakfast with Twilight. Soon Spike joined us. 

"Do you like to cook, Spike? You're good at it!" I complimented Spike. 

"You are too kind!" Spike said sarcastically. 

After finishing breakfast, I had an idea. 

"Say, Twilight, how much time do I have before I go back to Canterlot?" I asked as I put my plate in the sink. 

"About forty or thirty minutes. What's on your mind?" 

"I want to take a walk. I'll go to Pinkie at the same time, I didn't have time yesterday ..." 

"Okay, but be here on time." Twilight said seriously. 

"You can count on me!" I said as I opened the front door. 

Closing the door behind me, I walked forward. And when I took a couple of steps, I realized that I did not know where the bakery where Pinkie works is located. 

(I didn't even think about that...) 

I decided not to return to Twilight to ask for the address, but to wander around the city. 

(Ponyville isn't that big. I'm sure I'll find the place I need quickly.) 

As I was walking around town looking for a bakery, I noticed something... Weird. 

(This mare was my neighbor back home... She said she liked it there, why did she come back to Equestria?) 

To my surprise, looking around, I noticed more and more familiar ponies. 

(This stallion worked in a cafe where I bought coffee every morning... This mare once delivered pizza to me... And I also know this mare... She worked as a cashier in a store that I went to after work...) 

My surprise knew no bounds. 

(Why are they all suddenly back? Do they miss their homeland?) 

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden discovery of Pinkie's bakery. 

(It was even faster than I thought.) 

When I went inside, I saw a lot of ponies eating all kinds of sweets. Cupcakes, cakes, pastries and so on. There was a long line at the checkout, and I joined it. Pinkie was nowhere to be seen. 

(I have about twenty minutes left...) 

Fortunately for me, the line of customers quickly passed, and I finally went to the checkout. A plump blue mare with a two-tone mane worked at the checkout. 

"Hello. I wanted to see Pinkie, is she busy?" I asked politely. 

"Oh, hello!  You must be Vlad. I'm Miss Cake. Welcome to our bakery! Pinkie is working in the kitchen now." said the mare and pointed to the door leading to the kitchen. 

"Ah, I understand. Apparently, I'm at the wrong time." I said with a little desperation. 

"No, no, it's fine. You can go into the kitchen if you need to see Pinkie. Just put on this first." Miss Cake said and gave me a white apron. 

I was surprised at such kindness. 

(I'm not an employee, but I can go to the kitchen? Wow...)

"Thank you, Miss Cake, you are very kind!" 

The mare just smiled as I put on the apron. 

"How do I look in this apron?" I asked jokingly. 

"It's certainly a little small for you, but it's better than nothing, right?" said Miss Cake with a warm smile. 

"Yes, of course, don't worry." I answered politely. 

Miss Cake began to serve the next customers, and I went into the kitchen. When I entered, I immediately saw Pinkie. She was taking a baking sheet of muffins out of the oven.

"I'm already putting them in the basket, Miss Cake!" Pinkie said without looking back. 

"Okay, give them to me." I said, deciding to play along. 

It wasn't until Pinkie turned to me that she saw that I wasn't Miss Cake at all. 

"Vlad, it's you!" Pinkie said as she placed the basket on the floor and ran up to me in a pink blur, hugging me tightly. 

"Do you want me to throw you a party? Is that what you came for? I can throw it tonight, it'll be great! I'll invite all my friends and..." 

"I'm sorry Pinkie, but I don't have much time right now, I'm flying back to Canterlot any minute now." I interrupted Pinkie. because I understood that she would continue this for hours. 

"Oh, what a pity!" Pinkie looked at me with a sympathetic smile. "Next time then!" 

"Yes, of course. I came to thank you for that cake, it was delicious. Twilight said she would tell this to you, but I thought it would be best if I came myself." 

"Oh, that's so sweet of you!" Pinkie said as she hugged me even tighter. 

(One day those ponies will choke me without even realizing it...) 

"Okay, I have to go now. Let me take these muffins to Miss Cake, what do you say?" I asked, picking up the basket from the floor. 

"Of course, I will not refuse help, thank you!" Pinkie said as she got back to work. "Goodbye!" 

I waved to Pinkie and left the kitchen. When I left the kitchen, I saw the last ponies leaving the bakery, and Miss Cake was hanging a sign on the door. 

"Closing already?" I asked in surprise. 

"No, just a break." answered Miss Cake, turning to me. "Have you spoken to Pinkie?" 

"Yes, and she asked me to give you this." I said and handed the mare a basket of muffins. 

"Oh, thanks for the help!" said Miss Cake and took the basket from me. 

At this moment, I thought it would be a good idea to bring some sweets for Twilight. 

"Miss Cake... Can you serve me please? I understand you're on a break, but I want to do something nice for... a friend." 

(Is Twilight even my friend?...) 

"Of course, Vlad!" Miss Cake said and stood behind the cash register. "What would you like to buy?" 

"I don't know... There are so many delicious things here... Can you help me choose?" I said, looking at the sweets on the counter. 

Miss Cake began listing the assortment of the bakery. After some deliberation, I chose a dozen of blueberry muffins, strawberry and raspberry pies, lemon brownies, and LOTS of peach tarts. 

(Supporting Ponyville businesses directly from the royal treasury!) 

I thanked the bakery owner and walked outside, heading back to Twilight's house. 
But passing another building, I heard a voice familiar from yesterday. 

"Hello Ponyville! Today Trixie will delight you again with her amazing performance!" 

As I expected, after these words, there was a small earthquake. 

"Trixie would be very happy if her faithful assistant Vlad could help again today! Where is he? Have you seen him, my dear audience?"

Hearing this, I instantly hid behind the house and clung to its wall. My heartbeat quickened. 

(Thanks, but I've had enough, Trixie.) 

"Maybe we should look for him, what if he's somewhere around here?" 

(Are you kidding me or something? It's time to get the hell out of here!) 

Using all my stealth skills, I still managed to get away unnoticed.

(300 hours of hiding from the guards were not in vain, were they, Corvo?)

Shortly before reaching my destination, I heard the flapping of wings above my head. Looking up, I saw that it was the same chariot that brought me here yesterday. 

(I'm just in time...) 

I arrived at Twilight's house just as the chariot landed. Twilight was waiting for me along with the royal guards. 

"Not a second earlier, not a second later. Is that your style, Vlad?" joked Twilight. 

"Probably..." I smiled. "I bought something for you and Spike..." I said as I opened the bag of sweets in front of Twilight. 

"Wow, that's very nice of you, Vlad!" Twilight smiled sincerely. "But I'm not sure if Spike and I can eat it all... Do you have someone else you'd like to share with?" 

And then it dawned on me. 

"Yes, I definitely know who I can share these sweets with!" I said with a confident smile. "Do you think we can deviate a bit from the plan and fly to the Apple family farm, Twilight?" 

"I like the way you think!" Twilight said as she patted my arm. "I'm sure Princess Celestia won't mind at all." 

"Great! But maybe you can still take at least something from the sweet?" I asked hopefully. 

"Yeah, sure! Me and Spike can't say no to a couple of lemon brownies and this strawberry pie." Twilight said as she took away the chosen sweets by her magic aura. 

"It was nice to be in the company of you and Spike. Hope to see you again." I said as I got into the chariot. 

"Bye, Vlad! See you." said Twilight, waving her hoof at me. 

I notified the royal guards of my plan, and a course was set for Apple Farm. Not even a minute had passed before we were up in the air. Twilight watched me go, and then went into the house.  

(I hope I don't meet Applejack this time... Although... I should be friends with her too... Maybe one day...) 

The royal guards landed the chariot right next to the residential part of the farm. I dismounted to the ground and knocked on the door. To my relief, Mac opened the door. 

"Vlad? Didn't expect to see you today. How are you?" Mac asked in surprise. 

"Hi. I popped in for a couple of minutes." I said, pointing to the chariot behind me. "I recently went to the bakery where Pinkie works, bought something there... And thought I'd share it with you and your family." I said and handed the bag of sweets to Mac. 

Mac looked confused at first, but he took the bag from my hands and looked at the contents. 

"Well... Thank you, but, I can't take it all and leave you without a sweet... But I think I could have those blueberry muffins. Apple Bloom loves them." Mac said as he took the muffins out of the bag and give it back to me. 

"Okay, anyway, it was nice to see you." I said smiling. 

"Maybe you should come in? We're having lunch now." Mac invited me. 

"I'm in a bit of a hurry and..." 

"Mac, where are you? The food is getting cold!" said a voice that sent chills down my spine. "Who's at the door?" 

Mac looked at me and I made a symbol asking him not to say it was me. 

"Just my buddy, sis. Coming!" 

I whispered my thanks to the stallion and, just in case, tiptoed over to the chariot. 

"Now we're heading back to Canterlot, sir." one of the guards informed me. 

"Yes, of course. I'm ready." I said, getting comfortable. 

When we had already taken off, I decided to try the purchased pastries myself. And I was not at all surprised when I realized that this pastry is much tastier than any other that I tried at home. 

(I will definitely buy more Pinkie Pie pastries before I go home.) 

Already on the approach to Canterlot, I remembered the situation with Luna. 

(I still don’t understand if I should be afraid of the events of this dream ... Maybe it’s better to avoid encounters with Luna?) 

When the chariot landed near Canterlot Castle, I carefully dismounted to the ground, looking around. 

"Sir, Princess Celestia wanted to see you." I was approached by a guard who informed me earlier that we were flying to Canterlot. "Let me escort you to her majesty." 

(I hope the Luna won't be with her...) 

The guard escorted me to the big doors. They looked very heavy. 

(This must be the throne room? Do I also have an audience?) 

But when the guard opened the doors, I saw that this room was not very similar to the throne room. I fell into a small stupor. 

(Is this her room? What the fuck? I don't like it...) 

"Is this exactly where the princess wanted to see me?" I turned to the guard. 

"Yes, sir, there can be no mistake. Come in." the royal guard assured me. 

I had no choice and I went in. As soon as I was inside the room, the guard closed the door behind me. 

(And where is she?) 

I took a quick look around the room. As befits a princess, the room was not poorly furnished. 

"Um, princess? Are you here? Did you wanted to see me?" I asked uncertainly. 

"Vlad, I'm on the balcony, come here!" 

I turned my attention to the balcony, and indeed, Celestia was there. She was lying on a deck chair, and I could only see her mane, peeking out from behind the back of the deck chair. 

"Coming!" I responded. 

Going out onto the balcony, I saw that the princess was... Sunbathing? Lol. 

"Hello! How are you?" Celestia asked first. 

"I'm all right. What about you?" I asked politely. 

"I'm enjoying my day off... They're so rare..." Celestia said with a sigh. 

"Well, yes, it must be hard to be a princess." I tried to keep the conversation going. 

"Why don't you lie down too?" Celestia asked, pointing to the deck chair behind me. 

Thinking it was a good idea, I lay down on a deck chair. It was quite comfortable and I was immediately attacked by drowsiness. 

"So why did you wanted to see me?" I asked, pulling the visor of my cap over my eyes. 

"I wanted to give you all your gadgets back." Celestia said, and in a second, the very box in which I put my gadgets appeared on my lap. 

(Right! I completely forgot about them! Finally...) 

"Thank you for letting me study all this. You have made an invaluable contribution to the technical development of Equestria!" 

"Wow, really? Well, I'm glad I was helpful." I said, pleased with myself.  

"What are you planning to do today?" Celestia suddenly asked. 

"About that... I was just about to ask you for a today's plan." I said, taking the gadgets out of the box and putting them in my backpack and pockets. 

(My dear phone, we are together again! I am so happy!) 

"Well, since I have a day off today... So you will have a day off too. It's all fair." Celestia stated. 

"Well, I don't mind it at all. Thank you." I said happily. "Did you want to tell me something else?" 

"Come here tomorrow at ten in the morning, and we will discuss what should be done next." Celestia said, for the first time since we'd been talking, taking off her sunglasses. 

After Celestia took off her sunglasses, I noticed that under them on Celestia's face there was a mark from the glasses, surrounded by redness. I involuntarily smiled and laughed a little. Celestia looked at me questioningly. 

"Princess... I think you need a mirror..." I said with a smile. 

A small mirror quickly appeared in front of Celestia. 

"Well, here we go again..." Celestia said displeasedly. "l have to wait all day for it to disappear." 

"Yeah, bad luck..." I said with the same smile. 

I remembered about pastries and decided to share them with Celestia before l left. 

"By the way, I have some pastries here, would you like to try it? It's from Pinkie Pie's bakery." I said, pulling out a bag of sweets from my backpack. 

"I wouldn't say no, but... But... I have..." Celestia said uncertainly. 

(What do you have? Sweet intolerance?) 

"Okay, only some... What do you have?" Celestia asked impatiently. 

"You can check it out yourself, I'll leave the whole bag." I said as I got up from my decj chair and handed the bag to Celestia. "Enjoy your meal." 

"Don't you want to stay here longer?" Celestia asked in surprise. 

"I think I'll find something else to do. See you tomorrow." I said and walked towards the room's exit. 

I opened the door and went out into the corridor of the castle. Looking around, I closed the massive doors, after which happened something that I least wanted today. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Luna was standing behind one of the doors. Without thinking twice, I just went back to Celestia's room. 

"Vlad? Have you changed your mind?" Celestia asked from the balcony. 

"Um... I just wanted to wish you a good day off." I said the first thing that came to my mind. 

"Thanks, you too." 

I went back out into the hallway, and sure enough, Luna didn't go anywhere. I sighed. 

"Do you really want to talk about it?" I asked in a tired tone. 

"It's... Interesting, to say the least." Luna said as she closed the doors to Celestia's room, which I hadn't closed yet. 

"Celestia knows about this?" I asked, realizing that even if not, it was only a matter of time. 

"No, Tia doesn't know yet." 

"Okay, ask me, let's get this over with. My day off just goes by..." I said sadly. 

"Do you have the day off? Great!" Luna said happily. 

(Yes, the day off. And I'll have to spend it on your questions...) 

"Ask questions, I'm waiting." I said, wishing it would end soon. 

"Right here in the hallway? That won't do... We're inviting you to our room." 

(Is today the day to explore the princess rooms?) 

"Okay, nevermind. Lead the way." I said lazily. 

"We thought... Maybe we could on our way to the room... Well..." 

"NO. We will NOT do that." I said seriously. 

"Okay, whatever you want. We'll show you the way." Luna said, making a gesture for me to follow her. 

(Goodbye my day off... Now it's more like day on.)