//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: Other Duties As Required 
// by Hiver 
//------------------------------//

Sunset walked into the living room and as soon as the door closed behind her, she stretched with a groan.

Sparks looked up from the paper she had been reading at the desk, "Long night?"

"You can say that," Sunset agreed and crossed over, kissing her cheek before moving to collapse onto the couch, "I think I’ve been on my hooves all night. Never thought I ‘d wish my job involved more paperwork."

I looked up from my own papers I had been sorting through from my place on the armchair, "Nopony to blame but yourself for that one, Sunny," I teased her.

"Oh bite me."

"Maybe later," I said with a smirk before I flicked one ear in thought, "Actually, there is something I want to talk to you two about."

"Oh?" Twilight asked, "What's on your mind?"

I motioned for her and she jumped off her chair, crossing over to jump onto the couch next to Sunset, "I have been discussing things with Luna," I said, "And I have a surprise for you two."

Sunset pushed herself up to sit, "Surprise, What sort of surprise?"

"An all paid month long vacation to the finest hotel at Manehattan," I said with a smile, "Top floor suite."

Twilight's jaw dropped. Whatever she had been expecting, it was not that, "What?"

"You two deserve time off," I said, "And other than short trips for holidays to Canterlot or the Crystal Empire, you two haven't had a real break since we founded Nocturnis."

"Wait," Sunset asked, "You're not coming with?"

I shook my head with a smile, "I have had plenty of breaks. You two haven't and in addition to that, you two deserve more time together."

They exchanged a glance before Sunset spoke up again, "Page, we can't just leave you running this place on your own."

"I have Flower, Spicy Pepper, Starlight, Midnight, Fluttershy, Tempest and dozens and dozens of ponies helping me," I said a bit dryly, "I think I'll manage a month and a half."

"A month and a half? I thought you said a month?"

I nodded, "Month and a half including travel time," before I smirked, "Actually, keep arguing and I'll increase it another week."

They were quiet for a moment before Twilight sighed, "...It would actually be nice with a bit of a break," she admitted, "Could visit my parents on the way there."

Sunset quickly looked at her before she nodded, "...So... room service?"

I nodded, "Most definitely. I'm told they have the best masseurs in the city too. Minotaurs, I think."

Twilight hesitated, "Not arguing, but how much will this cost?"

"No worries, got it well in hoof," I said before I flicked an ear a bit hesitantly, "...Actually, I said I'd pay but Luna wouldn't have it. She's using her bits for it."

"Alright," Sunset agreed, "We'll go. After the next rain period everything should start calm down a bit and we might be abl-"

I smiled, "The train leaves in two days. Same one Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie and AJ is going back on."

Twilight gasped, "Two days! I can't leave in two days! I have potions for the guard that won't be read-"

"Which I have already discussed with Midnight, she has agreed to finish them," I interrupted her, "And before any of you ask, Yes, I have thought of that too. I asked Flower to check your schedules three months out and we have talked to everypony that needed talking to."

Sunset frowned at me, "Do we have a choice here?"

I frowned at her in turn, "You absolutely do. You can choose to go on a vacation you very much deserve and will enjoy or you can stay here being bored for the next month and a half. And make me sad."

Sunset shook her head, "That's pretty manipulative of you, wing boy."

Smiling I nodded, "Says the mare that was in on the plan to set me up with Celestia," I teased, "Besides, how else would I be able to get you two to take some time off?"

"I need to pack! I need to make lists!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Nope," I said with a smile, "Only thing you need, Sparks, is to be on that train in two days. Everything will be provided for you, it's all been arranged already."

"But what ab-"

"Including a list of interesting things to see in the city, a list of all interesting lectures on the university you may wish to sit in on as well as the programs for each major and minor museum or play open in the city," I reassured her.

Twilight glared at me, "You have thought about everything, haven't you?"

I smirked, "I can be pretty smart when I want to," I agreed, "So?"

She sighed, her wings relaxing before she looked at Sunset. Sunset nodded, "We'll go."

"I would have appreciated a bit more warning," Twilight agreed, "...But that does sound very nice."

"Excellent!"

"Are you sure you're not coming with?" Sunset asked, one ear flicking back.

I nodded, "Somepony needs to stay and mind the fort," I said, "And like I said, you two deserve time for just you two. You were together before I got involved in things."

Twilight jumped off the couch and crossed over to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you."

Smiling, I gave her a small nuzzle in turn, "You deserve it and so much more. I just wish I could do more."

She blushed slightly, "I...I do kinda need to go talk to Midnight," she admitted.

I nodded and touched my horn gently to hers, "No yelling because she didn't tell you."

Sparks shook her head, "Just need to fill her in on some stuff she needs to know to do while we're away," she said before she smiled, "This will be so much fun!" she exclaimed before heading for the door.

Sunset slipped off the couch and rounded around, jumping onto the chair next to me and leaned against me.

I smiled and slipped my wing around her, "I did good?"

"You did very good," she admitted and then whispered into my ear.

Oh my.

I apparently did very good indeed.