//------------------------------// // Boredom // Story: Apart from the rest. // by RustyKat //------------------------------// It was a warm summer day. Amidst the quietness of spring, the first signs of summer was showing itself. A white stallion Pegasus with a chestnut brown mane sat guard near the castle, cobalt blue eyes carefully watching for signs of danger or suspicion of such. A soft warm wind blew, slightly rustling his mane slightly, and a faint call of a chickadee sounded in the air with a cheery Twee Twee. The princesses Luna and Celestia were in Saddle Arabia in an important meeting, so this was a bit pointless. However, a sharp reminder told him that guards never ask questions. Luna's daughter, Solar Eclipse, was left in charge until they came back. Solar Eclipse was something of a mystery. Luna had been in Nightmare Moon form when Eclipse was born, but the affair had happened in her princess form.... making Solar quite mysterious. The dark violet alicorn mare sat in the castle, enjoying the peace for the first time in days. Time again and again threats from the shattered hive still wanted to control Canterlot.... Chrysalis intent on her goal. Suspicions arose from the few changelings who worked already in the royal guard, and every now and then a changeling was discovered in Canterlot.... with disastrous consequences. The stallion gave a sigh, but said nothing as he kept guard. However pointless this seems, I shall do as I am told. There is always a reason for everything. His name was Xeon Sharpblade, one of several guards who were on high alert for any changelings activities. He shifted his weight from one hoof to another to avoid going stir-crazy. Finally, one of the guards broke the silence with her soft harp-like voice. "This is absolutely pointless..." Said a pink mare with a purple mane, which was rather long. She was a pink unicorn named Rose Petal. Her mane was a dark crimson with a red highlight lighter than the mane. Her eyes were a soft orange, and ever so slightly silted, making Xeon wonder if she had any batpony in her. She had fangs, but they were too small to be seen outside her mouth. "You said it Rose Petal." Simply said Xeon. "I really wish I could do something better than this." "Well...." Began Rose with a mischievous grin, "There is something you can do." There was an awkward silence for a while. Geez, he's been here so long, he's forgot how to be a stallion.... I could probably fix this. "Well..... I'm going to talk to Solar." "Have fun." He replied sarcastically. There must be a way to show him a good time..... Aha! I got an idea.... A few minutes later, Rose came up to Xeon. "Solar said it would be a good idea if we learn to know better the ones we work with." She said something like that... I wasn't really listening. but what a good way to hook up with Xeon.... Xeon thought this over. "Well, if you say so." He replied awkwardly. "Come on.... I have a perfect place where we can talk privately." She gave a mischievous chuckle. "All alone." "We just can't leave our job Rose. We have a job to do, and we've got to look out for Changelings." "It's not leaving. We'll be back after our... chat." She gave him an amused glare. "Well.... if it won't take long, then let's go." "Hmm.... let's start at the Castle of the two sisters. It's pretty secluded..." "Or you could just talk at the abandoned house in Canterlot." He replied sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. "That's a great idea!" Rose said. "Come-on... let's go! A bit of walking later, they arrived at the house. It was old and falling apart from age, and the wooden door was open, the lock broke. Here and there were some cracks in the walls, and a broken window shone some light in the dark interior. The place was covered in dust, and every now and then they could hear the skittering of mice. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Replied Xeon nervously. There were rumors that this house was haunted, and those who went in usually never came back out. "It's just an old house silly." She replied with a giggle, and went inside. Xeon reluctantly followed, because of the rule of the royal guard... "Never let a mare go by herself in danger. To serve and protect the innocent we shall." The old wooden floorboards were covered in a thin film of dust, and every now and then let out a groan or creak under their hooves. Xeon flinched as a rat scurried by. This place is ancient... "Huh... I wonder what they keep in here..." Said Rose, as she peered into an open closet. Upon curiosity, Xeon peered inside too, but it was pretty much barren. Suddenly, the door to the house slammed shut. Xeon flinched, but he did not see the ghostly figure as it pushed them into the closet, and the door slammed. Rose quickly tried the lock, but it was stuck firmly. "........ What a predicament..." Said Rose with an awkward chuckle. "We're stuck....." " ...... This was your idea!" He replied irritated. He flattened his ears, and gave a short snort. "I have a better idea...." She said with a giggle, as she reached into her pocket, and drew forth a bit of mistletoe. "It's almost Hearths Warming Eve...." The stoic stallion was silent. "Come on.... just for me? I'd like to have at least one kiss this season." She replied with a fake sad note, and gave him the wide puppy-eyed look. "Pleeeeease?" Finally, Xeon gave a long sigh. "Very well then, if it'll get that look off your face..... You know I can't ever stand it when you make that face....."