A Pacified Kingdom

by DuskShadowBrony

5- Breakfast in the Morning

Chapter 5- Breakfast in the Morning

I stirred in bed, slowly opening my eyes. Wait- in bed? I sat up, the covers sliding off me. The book I was reading was closed with a bookmark, and my cloak was hung on the bedpost. I slid onto my hooves, quickly making my bed and putting my cloak back on. Exposing my wings just made me uncomfortable. Moving to the curtains, yawning, I allowed some sunlight to enter the room, before exiting, unsure where to head next.

“Morning!” Cocoa walked down the hall, smiling at me. “You fell asleep when I went to check on you, so I tucked you into bed. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Uh… no. I don’t mind. Thanks.” My mind felt a bit fuzzy, but that was probably due to the fact that I just woke up.

“Come with me, we can have breakfast. The Princess is already in her private dining area, she’s invited you.”

I allowed her to take the lead, the hallways rather empty, as it was probably early morning.

“You came! Yay!” Glitter cheered from her highchair as she saw me.

“Now, what would you like for breakfast, darlings?” Cocoa asked us.

“Fwuit mash!” Glitter answered brightly.

“I… uh… dunno.” I answered. “I don’t really eat breakfast… I usually get by on one meal a day.”

“That’s not very healthy. Tell you what, I’ll make you some pancakes.” Cocoa moved to the stove.

“Thank you.” I took a seat at the small table.

“Cocoa towld me you fewl asweep when weading.” Glitter smiled.

“Yeah… it happens a lot.” I rubbed the back of my head, a little embarrassed at the thought of Cocoa tucking me into bed.

“I was thinking we could spend some time in the park today.” Cocoa glanced back at us. “Ah, hold that thought. I’m missing an important ingredient in my special pancakes.” She trotted out of the kitchen. “Dusk, please watch over the Princess.”

“Yeah, sure.” I watched her leave.

“She’s nice, wight?” Glitter asked me.

“She’s really nice.” I answered. “She kind of reminds me of Luna.”

“So Wuna took cawe of you?” Glitter sucked on her hoof, watching me.

“Well… she tried, but most of the time, I handled myself… it’s what I’m used to.”

“Thanks for watching her.” Cocoa trotted back in, interrupting us, pouring what looked like syrup over the pancakes, setting the plate in front of me, before beginning to feed Glitter her mash. I started to eat. It was delicious, sweet, and full of flavor.

“This is really good cooking.” I smiled at Cocoa.

“I’m glad you like it, dear. Oh…” she moved forward and used a napkin to wipe some syrup from my chin. “Whoops, sorry! Used to feeding foals!” she caught herself. For some reason, this time, I didn’t mind.

“No, it’s fine.” I answered, going back to eating. “Thanks.”

“So, what about it? The park today?” Cocoa asked us.

“Yes! Pawk!” Glitter squealed, causing her to spill some food. Cocoa smiled as she wiped it up.

“I don’t have any objections, sure.” I answered. I felt a little odd, a strange trace of giddiness in me. It was like the excitement I felt when I discovered something new in my research… only different, somehow.

“Good, good. It’s a really nice day out, would be a waste to spend it indoors, anyway.” Cocoa finished feeding Glitter, wiping her face off.

I had also finished my pancakes. “I’m going to take the Princess for her morning change, then I’ll meet up with you outside your room. You know the way now, right?”

“Yeah, I got it.” I got up, sliding my chair back in.

“All right, anything you need?” she asked. “To prepare for going out?”

“I don’t think so.” I answered. “I think I’ll just take a book or two.”

“Egghead.” Glitter giggled, making me smile a little.

“Yeah, I’m an egghead. But I’m happy about it.” I answered. “I prefer the term well-read.” This made Glitter laugh some more.

We exited the room together, parting ways in the hallway. It then occurred to me that I had been so caught in in reading, I had forgotten to write a report to Luna. I decided that I would write one to her later tonight. I entered my bedroom, going over to the history books. There was no way I’d get through both volumes, so I just picked up the first two, putting on my saddlebags and putting the books in. I glanced at my swords. It didn’t seem appropriate to carry it around, but still, it was dangerous, in my opinion, to go around unarmed. After much consideration, I left my swords, but took a dagger with me, sliding it under my cloak. I had never gone anywhere willingly without my swords, but for some odd reason, I just felt safer here. Glitter and Cocoa weren’t back yet, so I took out Volume I of the history books, continuing on where I left off. I had read a few chapters in before I heard hoofbeats outside my door. Turning around and closing the book, I saw Cocoa with Glitter on her back. “All ready, dear?” she asked sweetly.

“Yeah.” I put the book away again. It was odd, I had to adjust the straps of my bags somewhat. The straps probably slipped, making the loop larger than it normally would need to be to fit me.

“Wonderful. Come on, let’s head out.” She draped a wing over my back, using it to guide me out of the room.

“Um…” I looked over at her wing.

“Oh, I didn’t think you would mind, sorry.” She withdrew her wing, folding it to her side again.

“N-no, it’s all right.” It was odd, I hated pony to pony contact of any sort, but I felt an odd security when her wing was over me. Cocoa smiled, putting her wing over me again.

“It’s going to be a good day.” she said happily.

Author's Note:

It's true, I actually do only eat about one meal a day. And I feel fine doing that, too.

Comments

[Sky Hooves]

Alright. You caught my attention with this Story. Please more^^

[Brony Pacific 4023]

Princess Glitter Star seems to be a real sweetheart.

[Meekoli Sean]

Y'know I used to be an adventurer like him

[DuskShadowBrony]

4975381

There was no need to place a bounty on my head just because you got in the way of one of my Destruction spells. I'm the Jarl's thane, I demand that you release me at once.

[Meekoli Sean]

4975696
Oh sorry I didn't recognize you. We'll let it go this time but even the Jarl's influence has it's limits. As well I haven't slept in 2 weeks and I can't really take a break now. *holds up torch looking around for thieves and bandits in the night*

[PartyponyXD]

Omc, I can see what's happening, I'm excited. MOAR!

[Lunasmyhero]

I see what's happening to him keep writing please I must know what's gonna happen

[iamjohndoe]

Chapter 5, and now we're getting into the swing of things. In the last two chapters, we learn necessary background about this new environment (and even if Cocoa and the books turn out to be unreliable, we've still learned perhaps even more.) We also see the onset of regression. By the end of this chapter, the audience now has a good idea of exactly what kind of story this is.

You know how in my last comment I said suspense should come from revealing information instead of hiding it? This chapter does it right. There's still a sense of mystery surrounding this kingdom, but that mystery is a result of what you've shown us: the history books, Cocoa's explanations, and her general behavior.
Despite Cocoa's assurances that foals run the kingdom, she seems to be the one in charge, which adds another layer to the mystery and suspense. Something fishy is going on. I don't know whether Cocoa can be trusted. Heck, I don't know whether Glimmer can be trusted. After all, something is causing our hero to regress, and Cocoa seems to know that it's happening. This chapter is suspense done right.

Chapters 4 and 5 are a lot better than the earlier chapters, and they demonstrate just how intriguing this setting can be. You've done a good job getting us into the thick of it, and I can't wait to see where it goes.

[DuskShadowBrony]

4980820

I'm glad that you're enjoying it. I honestly didn't know what to expect from these chapters, I wrote them on almost two days of no sleep, and was too tired to analyze everything, and just submitted.

I'm working on new chapters now.

[DGGames]

Sad part is, Dusk knows its not good for him..... But his meals he does eat/make are pretty good ;)

[Pink_Flash]

OBJECTION! Our hero, one Mr. Dusk Shadow had forgotten his cloak in the carriage! How has it manifested in his bedroom? The suspect obviously knows more than he's letting on! -Slams hooves- Tell us the truth! How did the cloak get there?!

Also, great work. I'm enjoying your story. : 3

[Wind of the Skies]

i eat more than one meal a day. however that is because people get concerned when i do not eat and while i do not hunger i figure it is best to eat so i don't hunger. also i would have noticed something out of the ordinary by now

[Twilight Connor]

4981132
Ouch. One day without sleep, fine. But two? Wow. I'm impressed. Also, one meal a day? I do that sometimes. Wake up to late to care about breakfast, ignore lunch in favor of books, and realise I need food, so dinner is made. That only happens on Saturdays, though.

[FairyFun]

I do that thing with like 1.5 meals a day mom makes me eat more than just dinner but i eat 3 meal on weekdays

[porcelainpony]

5930401
I was thinking that. I'm glad someone else noticed the cloak.

[Fluttershyisacutegal]

yep he's accepting his little vacay from his trauma, I wonder when that'll be mentioned?