//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: On Leave // Story: Idol Hooves and the Double Do Daring // by GrenadierGallus //------------------------------// “- and with a few careful words you successfully derailed a multi-year plot to write into law a cartel in the cake industry! All the while, the parties involved have been none the wiser on who caused the rift in their alliance. Well done, Cersus! I must say-” Having reached the end of the hall from which the voice emanated, I gently knocked with chitin hoof upon the door from which the voice emanated. “- that your performance during our few sessions together has been exemplary.” The door opened to reveal two unicorns, one larger and one smaller, the latter of whom leapt into my hooves and embraced me. “Idol!” “Hello, Cersus.” “Good morning, Sergeant Hooves, I suppose that you are on leave from your service to the Crystal Empire?” Gently putting Cersus down, I turned to the prince in name and offered a quick bow before I spoke, “Indeed, Prince Blueblood, I am. Unfortunately, I must take Cersus away from you for a moment. Princess Celestia has requested her presence alongside mine soon as is convenient.” He nodded in acknowledgement. “That will not be a problem at all, we were just in the process of wrapping up for today.” He smiled. “Besides, she is your daughter, who am I to keep you from her?” “A prince, sir?” With exaggerated flair and a grandiose wave of the hoof, he exclaimed, “Why indeed, peon!” before relaxing and allowing himself a small chuckle, “Anywho, have a lovely rest of day, the both of you.” “You as well.” “Goodbye, Mister Blueblood!” Cersus waved he closed the door. Upon exiting the premises and entering the street, I asked Cersus a question. “I see that you are not red, Ce- Lady Redcoat?” She turned to look at me, with eyebrow raised and feigned haughty tone, “I see that Prince Blueblood is not blue, Sergeant Hooves?” She walked past me, onwards to the castle. As followed behind her, I considered her question, then accepted her point as an oddity of the Pony vernacular. “Your Highness, Lady Redcoat.” Princess Celestia waited for the Throne Room doors to close behind us before she spoke. “Hello Cersus, how was your lesson with Blueblood today?” Cersus smiled as she dropped her Lady Redcoat disguise. “Great! I saved your cakes, Princess Celestia!” Princess Celestia laughed. “Oh, you evil filly, enabling my bad habits! What could I ever pay you back with? Hmm… Oh I know, there is a Daring Do convention in town this weekend, and I have tickets which I cannot use! Would you like to visit with your father?” Cersus jumped up and down with glee. “Tickets to the Daring Do convention? Would I?” “They are all yours, so long as your father says yes!” Cersus turned to look at me. “C’mon Idol, please?” I nodded. “If it is her highness’s will.” “Yes!” As Cersus celebrated, the princess levitated the tickets over to us. “That is settled then! I will send a messenger to Blueblood to inform him of your upcoming absence.” Princess Celestia clapped her hooves together. “Now, it would be lovely if the two of you would join me for lunch. But first, Idol, may I have a moment to speak with you in private?” “I am at your service, your highness.” “Thank you, Idol.” Princess Celestia took a moment to address The Nymph. “Cersus, please feel free to head onwards to the dining hall, we will not be long.” “Ok!” Returning to her Redcoat disguise, Cersus turned to leave. Once she had disappeared behind the doors, I returned my attention to Princess Celestia. “I would perhaps think it more fitting for Cersus to attend the convention alongside her friends?” Princess Celestia smiled. “Perhaps so, but when you mentioned earlier that you were unsure of how you would spend time with your daughter, I thought of this as an opportunity for the two of you to spend time together!” I nodded. “That is fair. I do believe my charge would enjoy it.” “I believe she would.” Princess Celestia paused as if to consider something before continuing. “Idol, I can’t help but notice that you continue to call her your charge. Is there a reason you do not wish to call her your daughter, beyond it perhaps being a changeling practice?” I responded, “It is a practice among my people, yes, yet that is not why I am hesitant to call her my daughter…” I took a moment to determine how to best express my feelings. “… I certainly care about her wellbeing, your highness, but I cannot help but consider how I am far from perfect… I suppose that I feel like I am unworthy of calling her so. I have failed her before, and I fear I shall do so again.” “Well Idol, it is not abnormal for parents to question whether or not they are doing a good job of raising their foals.” Princess Celestia continued. “I understand that you may have feel like you have failed before. I can say I feel that way too with regards to my sister. However, would you suggest that either of us would be happier if we distanced ourselves from one another?” I responded, “I do not, your highness. I would not say I am distancing myself from my charge, however, so much as… hesitating to become too close for fear of hurting her” Princess Celestia nodded. “I understand. Yet, keeping your distance has the potential to hurt your loved ones more. In my case, I fear it led to my sister's disappearance a thousand years ago..." "... I suppose it is quite silly that I am dwelling on my own failures while lecturing you on not doing so for yours." Princess Celestia shook her head and that dwelling out of her mind. "Nonetheless, the point I want to get to is that, my sister and I will find places where we disagree or misunderstand each other, yet in the end we both care and do our best to be there for one another.” Princess Celestia stood up to go join my charge in the kitchens and beckoned for me to follow. “I hope you will think about it while you spend time with your daughter throughout the next few days.” “I shall do my best, your highness.” After lunch, I left the castle alongside my charge. She, now assuming her more frequented Redshock disguise, seemed as excited as a good changeling could allow themselves to be. “-ooh and I hear that A. K. Yearling herself is going to be there! I might be able to get some books signed! Daring Do’s Adventure Awaits, Daring Do and the Cursed Chalice, Oh- do you think Topaz would mind if I got her copy of Eternal Flower signed? Also, Daring Do and the…” The Cursed Chalice… It was clear that Yearling was familiar in some magnitude with Daring Do’s exploits, and that Celestia was curious about the original cup. I wondered if Daring might have been able to suggest some replacements. It would be an appropriate way for thank Princess Celestia for her help, both for this opportunity to spend time with my charge and for watching all her little ponies over the years.