Velvet and I had spread out a blanket under one of the park’s biggest trees. I was familiar with it because it was Kite Mr. Peepers’ forbidden love. Red was currently exploring the borders of the great kingdom of Blanketopia. He was not allowed beyond them.
“So, Azurite, I kind of have a personal question for you,” Velvet started before corralling Red back towards the center of the blanket.
“Sure.”
She softly stroked the foal’s cream-colored mane. “I don’t really get relationships so forgive me for not understanding why you want to have two. Have you ever consider just letting Sunny go and sticking to Soarin? You two are happy, right?”
I scrunched my nose up and started immediately on the path to deny and chastise. “I—” What if she was right? Was I happy? I mean, life would certainly be easier. Most ponies only loved one other pony. Relationship-wise that is. “I don’t know. Soarin is an amazing pony. I’m actually shocked he hadn’t found somepony sooner. I mean he has his faults, but in general we’re a good pair. I’m certainly pretty happy.”
Red toddled over to me and threw his forehooves wide.
“Oh my goodness you’re so cute!” I picked him up and held him against me. “I just miss Sunny. Our relationship was different. She and I had something Soarin and I don’t. And vice versa of course.”
Velvet nodded and asked, “And there is no way you can get from Soarin or your friends what you got from Sunny? Keep in mind I’m not anti-Sunny here. I just want to make sure you’re looking at this from all angles.”
“I don’t really have friends,” I replied, bouncing Red a bit.
“Are you sure about that?” Velvet asked pointedly.
I hugged the foal softly and looked over his head at Velvet. Were we friends? “I guess I’m not. I don’t imagine you’d do all this for somepony you didn’t like. Would you?”
“Well… I might! You know… because of the guilt. That isn’t the case for you, though. I agreed because of the guilt but that isn’t why anymore. And I certainly wouldn’t let anypony play with Red out of guilt. To be honest you’re my first non-dance, non-Crystal’s-group friend. I guess you sort of overlap, though.”
“Thanks, Velvet. You’re my first non-Sandy, non-inanimate object, non-dating friend.” Red squirmed so I set him free to once again test the boundaries of Blanketopia.
“You’re welcome! Think about what I said though. You might find out that you already have what you want. If you try focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t have that might be better.”
I nodded and replied honestly, “I’ll consider it.”
♦♦♦
Sitting in the bleachers of the Wonderbolts’ training facility during the late summer is not as cool as you’d think. In fact it was the opposite. It was swelteringly hot. The sun was beating down on me and I was doing my best to keep cool under a giant floppy hat. I should have stayed in the park with Velvet and Red.
Soarin and the rest of the team practiced hard regardless of whether it was hot, cold, or inclement weather. Their dedication was impressive but I was ready for them to call it quits. I’d been off work for hours, played with a foal, raced over here, and they were still at it.
After a few more circuits around the course the team finally came to a landing. Spitfire was giving them a pep talk. Things had been tighter lately with a new Equestria tour looming. In a month or so Soarin would be gone traveling for a while. Wonderbolt tours pretty much hit every city.
The team finally broke ranks and started trotting off the field. Fleetfoot paused when she saw me. “Well, if it isn’t Soarin’s little unislut. You look awfully sweaty. Did our show get your engine running?”
I yawned and waved a hoof at her. “Nice to see you, too, pegaskank. Keep trotting.”
She smiled up at me and winked before turning towards the showers.
“Oh wait!” I called. She looked back. “How’re things with your pony?”
“They’re going pretty well. He’s not military or anything so sometimes wires get crossed but he seems committed,” she replied.
I smiled. “Good, well, don’t let him slip through your hooves. You’re insufferable without him.”
Fleetfoot laughed. “You’re insufferable period.”
I waved a hoof. “Okay, bye bye! We’re done.”
As she passed behind the bleachers I looked back and called, “And yes, it was all you! You get my engine running! I’ll meet you in the showers.”
The pegasus laughed and kept on walking.
Soarin stretched as he walked up. “It isn’t like you to watch practice these days. You haven’t needed inspiration in a while.”
“Oh, I just thought it might be fun to watch instead of sitting up in the room alone. Even if it is super hot. I’m going to need a shower.”
The stallion wiggled his ears and grinned at me. “Oh yeah? Word on the street is that you like sharing showers.”
My face went hotter with embarrassment. I sputtered, “What? No! How did you hear about that?”
Soarin looked confused. “Hear about what? You were shouting it at Fleetfoot. Come along then, we’ll figure it out upstairs.”
“Oh. Right, yes.” I did as he asked and trotted along beside him. It was tough to see out from under my hat so I just followed his hooves. When we got to our room he groaned.
“What?” I asked, pulling the hat off. It only took a second to realize that my friends were possibly getting a bit out of hoof. The kitchen was filled with bouquets of flowers. Not one or two. No, a dozen bouquets which were, themselves, a dozen flowers. “Oh…”
The stallion went over and pulled the card off. He read it, sighed, and then gave it to me. “I’ll be in the shower when you’re ready.”
I looked at the card. Please forgive me. My heart won’t be soarin without you. -Sunny
They were trying. That was actually pretty clever. I set the card back down and started to trot to join Soarin in the shower. I wasn’t completely sure I wanted them to keep trying anymore, though. Velvet had a point. Maybe I didn’t need Sunny. She certainly didn’t seem to need me.
Perhaps it was time to focus on what I had… and what I had was a huge, hot, sweaty stallion waiting for me in the shower. I took a brief detour. My magic captured Pink Pony and I carefully flew her into the guest bedroom and shut the door. Then I went through the master bedroom to the bathroom we shared.
Soarin was already in the stall and wet. He certainly wouldn’t punch me in the face. At least I hoped not. Surprises are sometimes fun, though, and that gave me an idea. Carefully I hunched down and crawled between his back legs, letting my mane and back brush along his underside as I moved forwards.
“Woah!” he gasped in surprise.
I poked my head up between his forelegs. “Hi. I’m Azurite and I’ll be cleaning your underside today. You may want to hold onto something because you’re about to be shown a whole lot of appreciation for being such a good stallionfriend.”
He shivered in excitement and replied, “I’m not going to lie. It is times like this that I really appreciate how short you are.”
“Careful, buddy! Don’t ruin the moment,” I teased before looping back around and heading under. “Mind the horn!” I said before teasingly poking him in the belly. Then I set to work.
Yeah, for at least today I was going to focus on what I had. What I had right in front of me.
♦♦♦
Paperwork and files were everywhere. It looked like a mess but I had a system. It worked for me and most ponies knew to stay out of it. Guards had been transferred from all over Equestria. Others had been brought on fresh. It was a mess.
“Wow! This is a mess.”
I looked up. That wasn’t Mr. Clockerson’s voice. Turning towards the door my eyes fell on Sergeant Hooves. “It’s my mess. Don’t touch it,” I replied.
“I won’t. Sergeant Iridescence sent me down to fetch you.”
“Hmph. Sergeants don’t fetch warrant officers. If she wants me she should come herself instead of sending her little brute. I’m busy.”
Sergeant Hooves squeaked. “But it’s important!”
I looked over at her. “Are you going to tease me? I’m in no mood and I do outrank you.”
“I won’t tease you. It isn’t teasing anyway. It’s a fact. I’m bigger than you. You’re the littlest pony now.”
I crossed my forehooves. “Not leaving.”
She squeaked again. “I’m sorry! Please come?”
“Please come what?” I asked.
“Please come with me Warrant Officer Azurite, ma’am.”
“Fine! I need a break anyway.” I set the file I was working on down and carefully crawled out of the paperwork nest. After locking my door I nodded up at Sergeant Hooves. “Let’s go, sergeant.”
We walked together up to Princess Luna’s wing in silence. Sergeant Hooves was my nemesis in the palace. She used to be the smallest pony until she found me. She seemed to think it was okay to remind me constantly, too. It was mean! When we got to the first sergeant’s office she knocked.
“In,” came the reply.
First Sergeant Iridescence was sitting behind her desk looking at some forms. To her right was a pegasus mare in golden armor. Princess Celestia’s House Guard to be specific. One of Sunny’s. Don’t think about Sunny. Think about Soarin and the shower. NO! Don’t think about that right now. Later… later…
“Thank you for coming up Azurite,” Iridescence said before nodding at Miley, “You can go back to whatever it was you were doing.”
“Supervising the cleanup of all that broken glass,” Sergeant Hooves chimed as she left.
“Broken glass?” I asked.
Iridescence nodded. “Yeah… I swear, the hours when he isn’t around things just don’t run as smooth. It’s like the whole palace is afraid of him and it all stays in line. I had guards escorting some work ponies who were putting stained glass in for Princess Luna’s wing remodeling. Somehow a bunch of birds flew in, knocked against the winches, and things went wrong. Now there is a thousand of bits worth of colored glass all over the place. It is a miracle no pony was hurt.”
I frowned. She meant Silent Knight when she said he. She was right, too. Everypony in the palace noticed when he wasn’t around. Especially now that he didn’t have a direct boss. “Sorry. What can I do for you? Please tell me you didn’t call me up here to clean up glass?”
“What? No.” Iridescence motioned to the side. “Do you know Dream Dancer?”
“Dream Dancer, guard first class, two sick days used, four vacation days. Born in Cloudsdale, attended…” I trailed when I found them staring at me. I forget sometimes that ponies are weirded out when you know a ton of facts about them from simple recall. “What I mean to say is no, we haven’t met. I worked her file, though. Nice to meet you.”
“Charmed,” Dream Dancer said softly. Somewhere under the gold armor I was pretty sure she was purple colored. A bit of light green mane stuck out here and there too.
“I’d like her to take over my old squad. She’s been with Lieutenant Day for a while and probably has more experience than the next two candidates put together. The problem is I really waited around on this. The position has been vacant for a while and I need her yesterday. Plus every PRO in this city seems to be quadruple booked.”
Ah, so they needed an expert! A Pony Resources Officer that could move mountains! An Azurite! Best to make her squirm… a little! “I see, and you thought you could just come to me?”
“I… uh… well yes. I know you’re the best and if anypony could do this it would be you.” She offered me the forms.
I took them from her and looked it over. “Mmm, go get Lieutenant Day to sign the transfer release first. That is your first step regardless. She has to let Dream Dancer go. Get Silent Knight to sign the receiving officer’s portion.”
That would handle the transfer but there was more to this. “Also, have Lieutenant Day file the promotion paperwork. Technically Silent Knight should do that but generally that is just a formality. No pony really cares. There is a legitimate position opened and this is a legitimate promotion. That will put that in motion sooner since I guess he isn’t in yet.”
Iridescence nodded. “Makes sense. She did my promotion paperwork actually. She’s the one that gave me Dream Dancer’s name. I highly doubt she’d suddenly deny her a promotion.”
“I’d hope not!” Dream Dancer chimed in.
“That still leaves my position though,” Iridescence said. “This receiving officer’s signature. It needs to be Silent Knight, right? Since this is permanent?”
“Yeah… where is he, can’t you take the form over to him?” I asked.
“He’s at a doctor’s appointment. He said it may be a while.”
I huffed. “Okay, just leave it blank and have him come see me. I’ll do all of the paperwork in advance.”
Iridescence asked, “Really? You can do that?”
“I’m not supposed to but you asked for help and you’ve never called me short.”
“And I never will now!” Iridescence smiled.
“Besides, he’ll be in soon. No sense waiting on red tape.” I then turned and said, “Congratulations, Dream Dancer. Well done on your promotion. See you both later, I’ve got a ton of work to do. Drop the forms by.”
“Thanks, ma’am,” Dream Dancer said as I headed out.
Well, that was easy. Mostly by the book. I’d just have Silent Knight sign after the fact. Easy, easy. I could focus on that.
The other bits were up to Iridescence. As long she made sure Sunny did the other parts and, more importantly, I didn’t have to see her, we’d be in business.
♦♦♦
“So… you’re done with her?” Sandy asked from below.
“I don’t know,” I called as I climbed higher into the tree. “Mr. Peepers, I swear to Celestia if you don’t come down I’m going to set this tree on fire and let you burn!”
“Woah! Easy partner. Don’t trample on their forbidden love. Plus I’m pretty sure burning a tree in the middle of Canterlot City Park is a crime.”
“He’s just so stubborn. He ignores all the signs and won’t do right.”
“Are you talking about Mr. Peepers or Soarin?”
I stopped and looked down at her. “What does that mean?”
“Soarin is ignoring the apologies. He isn’t going to talk to Sunny. It sounds like you’re mad at him and not the kite.”
I finally caught a glimpse of the kite and wrapped it in my magic. Carefully I extracted it from the branches and dropped it down to Sandy. “I’m not mad at Soarin. I’m mad at Sunny. She—woah!”
The branch I was holding onto gave way and dropped me right out of the tree. I landed with a heavy thud a foot from Sandy. All of the wind escaped me and I gasped for air. “Could—” Deep breath. “—caught—” Deep breath. “—me.”
Sandy wheeled over and helped me up. “Yeah… no. Are you okay? Everything looks in the right place.”
I huffed and puffed a few more times. “I’m fine. I don’t know, Sandy. I’m angry at her for cutting me off and I’m kind of angry at him for not fixing it.”
“You know that isn’t fair, right? She hurt him, too. She’s not talking to either of you.”
“I know. I just feel off balance.”
Sandy grinned. “You feel off balance?”
“Yes, I feel… oh come on! I just fell out of a tree. Have some sympathy.”
She giggled and softly ruffled my mane. “I’m sorry. Come on, Azurite. You’ve got a good stallion and me. Plus you seem to have made two new friends. That can’t be all bad, right? Focus on the positive.”
“I’d feel more positive if we went and got some treats. And you’re buying!”
Sandy winked. “Agreed. Plus we can tell the girls to cool it on the gifts and stuff. Come on. Get Mr. Peepers. He looks like he could use some work too. We can get some glue from my place.”
“Okay. Sooner or later you’re going to have to teach me how to properly fly a kite.”
“Only once the amusement of you losing yours wears off.”
“Great… thanks, pal.”
♦♦♦
A week later Soarin, Pink Pony, and I were sitting at the kitchen table playing cards. I was losing, like always. What was different tonight was that Pink Pony was beating Soarin. That was odd.
“So, I don’t want to stress you, but I would really like it if you could come on the tour with me. I know it would eat up almost all of your vacation, but I think a change of pace would be good. Plus the idea of you here alone slightly frightens me.”
I set down two cards. He pushed two more my way. “I agree. I’ll see what I can do. We’re still in a process nightmare. We have so many guards to take care of. I might have to join you a little later. To be honest, Pink Pony and I aren’t thrilled at the idea of being on this big campus alone without you either.”
Soarin looked over at Pink Pony. “Well… with as much money as she is winning, I’m not sure she’ll be alone. She could have any pony she wants.”
The two cards I got were a Princess of Moons and a Princess of Hearts. Finally, a good set. “She wants me. Pink Pony doesn’t have a wandering eye. And she wants to let you know she thinks it is sweet that you cook for her every night.”
“Oh… well that is good. You’re welcome, Pink Pony,” he said to her and then blinked. “When did I start talking to her, too?”
“Mmm, two weeks ago or so.”
“We really need to get out more.” He set his cards down. “Two knights, three fives.”
“Hah!” I squeaked in pleasure. “Three princesses, two tens! I win, I win!”
Pink Pony looked at me with sly eyes. My magic slowly flipped her cards. “Four Aces? She has four aces! How does she have four aces?”
Soarin just blinked. “Okay, we’re done playing cards. This is creeping me out.” He pushed all of the chips over to Pink Pony and then stood up. “Come on, we’re going to Ponyville.”
I bounced to my hooves. “Okay! Why?”
“Because I’m going to fly you into their hotel, face down the clerk, and rent a room by the hour. After dinner, of course. Since you’re a lady.”
Without giving him warning I leapt onto his back. “Forget being a lady! We’ll get take out. If you want to eat, you can eat it off me. To Ponyville!”
He laughed and as he started walking he said, “That sounds like something Sunny would say.” Then he immediately groaned. “I’m sorry. That was stupid.”
I looped my forehooves around his neck and nuzzled the back of his mane. “It’s fine. Look, let’s still go, okay? I am so happy to be with you but it never hurts to be reminded why you fell in love with a pony, right?”
He turned to look back at me and smiled. “No, it never does. Alright, come. We’ll get take out. I’ll get you a little drunk and then we’ll eat dinner off your belly.”
“Forget dinner! Let’s get cake frosting. There is zero chance we’re getting the security deposit for the room back.”
“Worth it!” Soarin cheered as he raced us out the door.