"There we are!" the filly chimed as she hopped out of the train. On this day, she could leave her fears and doubts behind as well as her parents. She was fairly certain that nopony had expected her to carry the heavy bag anyway when it was nearly her own size. In fact, if it wasn't as stuffed with boring supplies, perhaps she could fit inside to nap while still moving. She made a mental note to try it as soon as possible.
"I don't like that look, young Daylight." At long last, her parents had caught up with her. Together, they once again set off, though she did her best not to run ahead. Not that she was afraid of crowds like the one in front of them of course. She was just eager to follow orders. "Tell me, then. About what are you dreaming now? I have carried you around long enough before you were born, if that's what you're thinking."
"I'm not sure on what I should comment, her blooming fantasy or your ability to guess it each time." As they bent into the sunbathed street, her parents surrounded her. They knew of her need for safety. "Then again, she is your daughter, Midnight. Don't get why you're so opposed to it, though. What's the worst that could happen? Didn't you use to do it all the time?"
"Oh, let me think of what happened just since we met." Midnight raised a hoof, drawing into the air while counting up just too loud to be silent. "Quadruple fracture spread across three legs, endless collisions, killing patients, near death, getting pregnant, some of it at the same time. That's what it did to me." She nudged Daylight in the side as she brought her hoof back down. "Stay with us, squirt, you don't want to imagine that. Twilight, the point is, even if you're willing to ignore her absence, where does it end? Do you want her to become a writer and spend her life with love stories featuring the handsome colt living just down the street from the bushhouse in which lives the main protagonist, who just so happens to share her looks, attitude, memories, and personality, except for the property that it's also a stallion? That's about the only thing I see when I read that kind of pony's works. Daylight, write along, life tip incoming. Face your issues instead of directing them to where you're only wasting time and energy."
Twilight laid a leg around Daylight, lightly pulling them together. "Now you've upset her. I don't suppose the next bit will do much for her mood."
"Well, I'm a medic, I'm not much for lying." When Midnight extended her own leg, a war broke out over comforting Daylight. Fortunately, it was broken through a kiss and moving closer together seconds later.
In truth, Daylight wasn't upset in the slightest, not when she could take the opportunity to learn more. "Mommy Twilight said you were very good friends with a writer once."
"Did she? Two of them, in fact, a colt and another filly. However, at that time I officially was not into fillies, and he was into her, so drive those thoughts out of your head, whatever she told you." Midnight glared over at Twilight with the most sinister expression she could manage in the face of her love. "Great love story with a friend to support them during arguments, don't you think? So did I. But the filly, she's worm food now. Blame me for distrusting ponies whose only talent is the inability to accept the world that is. Ah, screw it, I know you just want this. Come here, gold piece." The soft glow of Midnight's magic enveloped Daylight, bringing her onto Midnight's back. "Still light as a feather. Got to feed you more candy." Midnight made a strong step to the side, as if somepony had just rammed her in the flank. "Oh come on, Sparkle, I'm a medic, not a dentist. Is anypony watching where we're going, anyway?"
"Really? Neither of you noticed the market we've been passing for the last five minutes? The crowds of ponies bustling around stands that are literally five feet away from you? The glaring sun hanging just between the buildings, casting warmth onto everything in sight? Speaking of which, we really should get into some shade. Which is convenient since we've arrived right now. You two are still insufferable at times." The street ended before them, splitting into two orthogonal paths running along the beachline. A low wall protected the edge as there was still a significant drop between it and the sea. Lamp posts lining the wall would make sure to show the border in darkness, as well as to produce an aura of ungraspable romance. Considering that it was still high summer, few ponies were enjoying the beach itself; Though it could also have helped that they had come on a Thursday afternoon. "Let's get down to business, then. Set up some towels and get out of the sun. Especially you, Midnight, blue mane plus purple coat equal a lot of absorbed sun."
"Like you were any better off," said Midnight, still carrying Daylight as she was entranced by her first sight of the sea. "Wait, you're probably abusing your magic again, aren't you." The only response Twilight gave was the edge of a smile as she unpacked the bag, turned away. "Did you know that no true great mages in history have ever procreated since all of them were too nerdy to pursue love? Up until you, of course." The smile faded, replaced by a hint of pink in the same spot. "Imagine what our little Daylight might do. Back to the point, while we're being racist already, she should be able to run around in the sun all day long. I don't expect neither a white coat nor a golden mane to catch much sun." Now that their towels were spread out, she set Daylight down onto one of them. "I'm still seeing to you drinking enough."
"Even with consequences, I think Equestria would be a better place if I learned to replace all spiders with hamsters." Daylight shook her head back into reality. There was too much to explore, from the rhythm of the waves to the song of the gulls overhead. She could not spend too much time thinking. "That's possible, right?"
"Turn snakes too while you're at it." Midnight laid back on her towel, showing no intentions of rising within the next month. "I think there's a few laws of physics preventing it. Though, when you're Sparkle, physics are but a formality. Case in point, she managed to carry a sunshade, five towels, and a basket of supplies in a single bag. Maybe you'll do similiar things in your time."
"Those that say impossible simply neglect the means that are there," said Twilight, looking out towards the horizon. As she stood there, her gaze seemed not to go to the waves but through them, staring at something Daylight couldn't see. Due to that, Daylight decided that she was officially bored. "Let's leave the lazy mare to herself then. Have you ever been at the sea before?"
"Of course not! Let's go!" Now that there was nothing holding her back, Daylight couldn't wait to meet the water. Thus, she ran as fast as she could, at least until she made her first step off the secure boards and into actual sand. Only a quick spell prevented her from diving right in. "Thanks. What is this fiendish invention?"
"It's alright, just move slowly and watch your step for once." Twilight offered her a hoof to take for stability. Daylight was too proud for it though, at least until she had tripped and almost fallen again. "Almost there. Watch out, it's probably colder than you expect."
There it was at last. After a whole day spent in anticipation since they had planned the trip, the sea stretched out before her. There was no land in sight, none of the woes that it would carry. Through the infinite shifting of the waves, it all sunk deep below, lost and forgotten. No clouds dared move above it. Even the sun kept its distance away in the skies. Daylight made a step forward, feeling the water splash against her hoof. It wasn't cold as much as it matched her own rushing blood. Another wave licking at her was all it took to yank her mind away. This was her destiny, she knew it. One day, she would sail those waters. She would buy her own ship with no crew, perhaps one other at most. Together, they'd conquer borders set by those afraid to break them. It all felt too real already. Already she could see the times of nightfall, both in port and out in the open. She could smell the freshening breeze, see her crew member's features as shown by the bleak candle light.
Before she could get too far into it though, a scream tore her back into reality. As soon as she had arrived, a groan followed from behind. "Squirt! You're needed!"