After a boring night of paroling around the academy premises, your shift finally ends. There has been no Freya and no other problems to deal with. Which leaves you in the early hours of the morning with little time to sleep. Hopefully this time your room is pony and gryphon free. But before that, you better hit the showers. Walking around the academy all night, inside and outside can be dirty work and a nice shower would suit you before bed.

The showers on the academy premises are communal, meaning they're shared, however each pony is assigned a personal locker, even you have one. Which you put your armoured outfit and helmet in just for the moment. The showers are separated into the sexes obviously, and you were right in thinking they'd be empty at this time.

You pick one of the nearer showers, get under it and turn the dial. Cold water splashes over your feathers and fur chilling you. It's not long before the water heats up though, and soon you've got a think fog forming in your vicinity. You can feel the sweat and dirt wash off your azure feathers and you just sit enjoying the moment. Things have been somewhat hectic the past few days, so the least you deserve is a warm shower. The rushing water drowns out all outside senses.

Something taps your shoulder re-awaking you. "Huh?" Turning to the side you spot Spitfire hanging over the wall from the next shower over. "HUH?!"

"Hey Laz. Fancy seeing you here."

You decide not to be embarrassed today. Why bother, you're already feeling a bit tired, and the warm water feels nice. "Oh. Hello Spitfire. What's up?" Is this Lucy or actually Spitfire?

"I just wanted to come and talk to you. Thought I'd hit the showers first since I was smelling a bit."

"So why are you in the guys showers?"

"Does that bother you?"

You shake you head and spread your wings to catch the water flow. "Too tired to be bothered by anything Spitfire." You've enter tired mode, the one time people above your station don't mess with you.

"Well anyways, I just wanted to say sorry about how I was acting when you came to visit me. Being in heat can really screw with your head." Well that explains the mare problems Lucy told you about. And it proves this is the real Spitfire. That's good to know.

You ignore her and face the head of the shower taking a face full of nice hot water then grab a nearby bottle of shampoo. Squeezing it produces no shampoo, you tilt it upside down completely and shake it a few more times. Empty. "Spitfire, can you pass me some shampoo from over there?"

She drops down from hanging over the stall, rustles around a little bit then pops back up with some shampoo from that stall. "Here you go."

"Thanks." You grab it and plop some onto your feathered head and being to rub softly.

"Want help with that?" You're not sure if you should be saying yes or no, but you decide the sexier option.

"Sure." Again Spitfire drops down from hanging over the stall, this time she joins you in you the warm spray of water. Only now do you notice how much nicer this shampoo smells than what the academy normally provides. "Is this your shampoo?"

"Oh, yeah. I bring my own since I prefer it. You don't mind?" She asks with a tilt of her head.

"I already told you. Too tired to care. I just wanna get clean then hit the hay." She nods then stands beside you, reaching up to your head before getting her hooves covered in shampoo and feathers. her hooves are surprisingly soft and feel great rubbing your head. It's more relaxing and you half consider going to sleep right now.

"Not to rough am I?" You shake your head and yawn getting some water into your mouth in the process. "Again, I just wanted to say sorry about the way I was acting Yesterday. I feel really stupid."

"It's fine Spitfire. I'm glad I got to talk with you, sorry that it was at such inappropriate time."

"No, no. Don't be. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded that much if you saw me the way I was." The rush of water partly blocks out what she said.

"What?"

"I was just saying I wouldn't have minded if it was you who saw me in heat."

"Right, and why is that?" You had to ask.

"Cause I know you'd never take advantage of me, even if I wanted you too." She laughs. "Remember that time I was drunk and you kept me safe in your room? I don't, but everypony else does." Yeah, you remember that. It caused a bit of an internal panic that day. "You're.. kind. Too kind sometimes. There's been plenty of mares hitting on you and you've not noticed. Like, right now we're sharing a shower and nothing has even crossed your mind has it?" You'd rather not admit it, but a few things have crossed your mind. Currently you're feeling too relaxed and sleepy to understand any complex emotions. You don't even know half of what your current conversation is about.

"Gryphons are different to ponies in that regard I guess. We tend to wait for someone to be with long term."

"Long term? You mean like marriage?" She finishes lathering your head and moves on to your neck and back.

"No, I mean somepony I feel connected to. I'm sure you understand what I mean right?"

"Soul mate?"

"Eh. Kind of."

"So no casual sex or fooling around?" That question surprised you slightly, but not enough for you to totally wake up. You answer with a slightly shake of your wet head, flinging water in the process. "Wait. Does that mean you're a virgin!?" She asks sounding surprised, stopping her lathering.

"And what if I am?" You ask teasingly.

"Oh I see. That's how it is then. I open up to you and you splash it in my face."

"Nah, that's not it Spitfire. I just don't really have a sex life to talk about, and it's not something that really interests me right now."

"That's a shame. There are plenty of mares who'd love to do you. Myself included."

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She carries on rubbing your back with the soapy water, you can't help but stretch out like a cat would when it has it's back scratched. It feels so nice. "You enjoying this?" Her topic change is sudden but you can't complain and instead opt to nod and purr ever so slightly, the lion part of your body taking over. "I'll take that as a yes. I think I've found your weakness." A faint giggling is heard coming from her.

You and Spitfire spend another ten minutes in the shower just getting clean. But afterwards you feel cleaner than you would normally feel showering alone. Spitfire really went to town on your back. You offered to do her back to repay her, but she declined. Understandable in her situation. When you both feel clean enough you remove yourselves from the shower, dry off and head off to your room, Spitfire in tow.

"You know what Lazuli, you need more time off, so I'm giving you the week off." That was out-of-the-blue.

"Are you allowed to do that? I mean, isn't that Wonder Wing's choice?" You'd love the time off yes, but you're pretty sure it's not possible since your job is so important.

"Yeah, but I'll just mark you down as working even if you're not. She'll never know. You deserve this after all the hard work you've been doing. Besides, we've got a performance coming up soon and you'll need to be ready for that."

Hard work she says. All you've done recently is walk in circles around the academy watching ponies study and fly. There's not been any problems for you to deal with since the Spitfire ambush thing. Maybe just being around is a deterrent and that's what she means. "Are you absolutely sure you can do that Spitfire, I'd rather not get into trouble with the higher ups, let alone bring you into it."

"Just take the next seven days off to relax and chill. Have a sleep in, that sort of thing. Maybe help me with some paperwork." You arrive outside your room and stop to listen to your companion. "It's fine, as long as you promise to spend at least one day with me." That's an offer you can't refuse, a whole week off, and some free time with Spitfire. "Deal?"

"Deal." With all that said and done, you say your goodbyes to Spitfire then retreat into your room and plop onto your bed exhausted.

No snoring.

You sleep for a good few hours and wake up at the end of mid-day just as ponies are beginning to wrap up their activities. You go towards your wardrobe and begin getting out your outfit as is your routine but before you have everything out you remember you've been given the day off, as well as the next six that follow.

Whenever you're tired, things just seem to happen. It's almost like being drunk. You just wake up with random things in your mind. And sometimes in your bed. If it's even your bed you're in.

With the evening being free you start to think what you should do. You could check on Lightning Dust? Or perhaps Soarin and the other lads, it has been awhile since you had some time off with them. Perhaps you could go out for the day, hit the town, spend some money, that sort of thing? It's been quite some time since you last saw Derpy, maybe she's free?

Before you could plan, your door is knocked on. This is becoming habit. "Who wakes me from my slumber?" You ask in a slow deep voice.

"Is that you Lazi? You sound strange."

"Heh. I'm just messing with ya. Come in Dust."

"Hey buddy. I heard on the grapevine you've got a whole week off and was wondering if you'd like to go to Canterlot with me?"

News sure does travel fast in this academy. "Sure. When?" You ask as you open the mini fridge stocked with butter beers and grab one. That could be another day worth of free time doing something. Five left.

"Tomorrow if you're up for it, I've got time off too. Pass one." She points to your fridge, so you hand her the one you're holding and take another for yourself. Then you both crack them open saying: "Cheers."

"Ahh. This is the good stuff."

"Meh, it's alright, why do you like butter beer so much Lazi?" Her question catches you off guard. You don't have a reason why you like them, you just do. So you reply with a shrug of your shoulders.

She slips onto your couch and kicks her hooves up, taking up the whole couch for herself, just what you were going to do. You instead just sit on the edge of your bed, that'll be comfy enough. "So what are we gonna do in the big city?"

"I dunno, just hang out mostly. Maybe watch a film at the cinema and grab a bite to eat. That sort of thing."

"Sounds like fun." It's been awhile since you were last at Canterlot, and even then you didn't get to see much of the city. It should be fun wandering about with Dust. Should be, you've heard many stories about shopping with mares being as bad as the pits of Tartarus. That HAS to be an exaggeration. Right?

"Hey, Lazi you okay? You seem a bit spaced out."

"Oh, sorry. Just not sure what to do with all my spare time. I really shouldn't go too far from the academy, just to be safe."

"You already having second thoughts about Canterlot with me?"

"No no. That's not it at all. I'm sure you've heard there's another gryphon been spotted hanging around here recently." She tilts her head inquisitively. "Well, she said some weird things to me and I'm not sure how I feel about it all."

"What did she say like? Not much seems to startle you."

"Just that I should quit my job here and work for her."

"Wow. That's. That's quite the commitment. You better not have agreed, especially after just helping me get into my next year of studying."

"I didn't, It just seems a bit weird you know? It was very sudden, and a very weird question to ask."

"Yeah, well. Coming to Canterlot with me should help take your mind off things. I can be fun to hang out with."

"Sounds good. Thanks Dust, you've always been here to help and keep me sane." Between her and Spitfire they've both kept things running smoothly around the academy, at first you thought your job was going to be hard, but Spitfire did most of the paperwork behind your back, and Lightning Dust made sure everypony didn't mess around so your job was much easier. They're kind of like your chief and deputy.

"It's not like you've not helped me either. Seems you've got my back and i like that. It's a good feeling knowing this-" She points towards you. "-Is looking out for me."

You take another sip of your flavoured beer. Perhaps she's right, a day in Canterlot would be fun. Then another thought occurs, is this a date? You remember back to what Spitfire said, mares hitting on you without you knowing, surely this could be a prime example? Well, if you had to choose to go on a date with somepony it'd probably be Lightning Dust. She's the kind of pony who wouldn't mind if everything goes wrong.

"Oh and Lazi, before I forget, I heard there's a new residence up for grabs, one of the seniors left and her place is empty. It's a big ass living quarters, not exactly one room. Was wondering if you wanna go half as? There are two bedrooms if you're worried about that. There's also a kitchen and bathroom! We won't have to use the academies facilities anymore. You up for it?"

Hmm. It sounds good, however you're not exactly sure. You've already settled into this room. Then again, you've not exactly got very much furniture here and the only reason you liked this room so much was the neighbours, and Dust wouldn't be a neighbour anymore but instead a room mate.

Worth it!

"Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. So how do we sign up?"

"Well, first you have to be apart of the academy staff, but you already are. So next would be to ask the lady in charge herself, Spitfire. But I'm pretty sure if you ask her, she'll agree. I know she likes you. I mean, she likes you more than everypony else. Well, not more than me, but you erm.. What was I saying?"

"Something about Spitfire."

"Oh yeah. Just go and ask her. I bet you she'll agree." Since you officially have time off, and something to ask Spitfire, you add talking to her to your mental list of things to do.

The next few hours you spend with Dust, she enjoys your company and you hers. Chatting and laughing. Eventually she chooses to leave you alone and carry on with her own things. Which has you on your way to Spitfires office to inquire about the room available. Not as if you've got anything else to do today.

"Hey Spitfire." You greet her as you walk into her workspace. She's got her desk covered in papers again with her head resting on them. It doesn't look very comfortable. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just, you know. New year means I have lots of arranging to do. New students and recruits, what rooms are emptying and what ones will be occupied, sorting out lesson plans, workout routines, performance days and training days, what times the racetrack is available and what times it's not. I could list hundreds of things, but you already get my point don't you?"

You stand shocked. You never really thought Spitfire had THAT much paperwork to do. She's so fit and healthy you'd expect all her spare time to be exercising or something. Turns out you are completely wrong, and you can't help but feel sorry for her. Back in your military days, you did have the occasional day of paperwork and it was murder to do. But this much? There's no way you could do that, but it doesn't stop you for asking her if she needs help. Thankfully she doesn't.

"Nah, you'll be getting your own paperwork soon. Don't worry, it isn't this bad. Just need you to write reports on what went wrong while you were on duty and how to improve said things. Oh, and names of trouble makers, that will be needed pretty soon, or at least before the new season starts. Don't want any assholes corrupting the rest of the residents. Especially after this Lightning Dust incident." So you do have work to do. Maybe that's why she gave you a week off? To catch up on paperwork. Ugh.

"Okay.. I was going to ask you about a certain spare living quarters, but you seem rather busy right now, and I'd-"

Spitfire interrupts. "That reminds me, one of the secretary staff has stopped working here and her place is free now, I was going to ask if you wanted to kick up residence there?" You can't help but wonder if she's talking about the same room that Dust was.

"Is this the two bedroom, one bathroom, one kitchen accommodation you're talking about?"

"Yeah, how'd you know that?"

"Dust told me. Wanted me to ask if me and her could share it."

"Sweet. Well, that's settled at least. One less thing for me to bother with. Guess we're going to be neighbours then. Lucky you!" Huh? So turns out the place Dust was talking about is the one next door to Spitfires private room. Seems to be more and more perks to living there. Maybe this time you can actually get some nice furniture instead of just a couch and fridge.

She shuffles through some papers than writes something down quickly. "Hey Lazuli, wanna go somewhere? I'm sick and tired of all this work. I've not stopped since our shower last night. Not even slept and I'd love a break, even if it's ten minutes."

"Yeah, sure. Where you wanna go?"

"Anywhere. I tell you what, if you are going to moving in next door, we can go shopping for stuff. I can add it to academy expenses so don't worry about that."

"That's not bending the rules again is it Spitfire? Because if it is, you'll eventually get found out, and I'd rather you stay in the good books of Wonder Wings. She looks like she could be real mean if she wanted to."

"I know right? But don't worry your feathered head, me and her are good friends, she knows how much I'm worth and won't argue that much."

"If you say so." You just wanted to check, the last thing you want is a friend getting into trouble simple because she wanted to spend time with you. She gets up and leaves her office nudging to follow, before she could get particularly far from her office another pony introduces herself. Green coat and icy blue mane and tail, not a familiar mare, maybe she's one of the new blood?

"Oh, Lucy. Do me a favour and keep an eye on my office while I'm out will ya?" Spitfire asks the mare. You don't recognize the mare, but instead recognize the name. Could it be Lucy the changeling? Just when you agree to disagree with yourself she pats you on the head like you discussed. So this is what her disguise is when not being Spitfire. "Do you two know each other?" Spitfires voice interrupts your train of thought.

"Long story." You state, not wanting to explain how you know Lucy.

"She's a good friend of mine, helps me when I get swamped with things." Yeah, you already knew. "Oh, and here's your room. Or will be yours and Lightning Dusts room." You hadn't noticed, but the entire time you were talking you were walking too, and only now have you stopped. "Want to see the inside? It's much bigger than my own, but I got my own office so I don't really care." You nod, slightly excited to investigate this larger residence.

Upon entering the first thing you notice is the large living area. It's empty right now, but could easily fit a couple couches, chairs and a table, it's also connected directly to the kitchen, which is mostly a fridge, cooker, microwave and a large counter opposite them. More than enough space to mess with. Maybe you can learn to cook your own salmon, though if you were to try right now, the academy would be up in flames in seconds. On the opposite side of living space from the kitchen are the doors to the bedrooms, inside are only beds, but they're doubles. One of the rooms has a closet built into the wall with loads of space for clothing. Not that you would need that. Guess this would be Dusts room. The last thing of note would be the bathroom, connected to the main living space via a small corridor with a broom cupboard. Nothing of interest inside either besides your own shower.

After your investigation of the room you look at Spitfire and smile. "I like it. I'll take two." She laughs. "Plenty of space, big beds, nice shower, and a kitchen. What more could I ask for?" Nothing really. Honestly, you'd be fine in a tent, anything more is luxury. You have to admit, since getting this job, luxuries are becoming more common.

"Glad you like it, don't forget the best part though! You'll be next door to me! Which means I can pester the both of you whenever I want." Suddenly the room doesn't feel so perfect after all. Spitfire and Dust, both pranksters living in close proximity to one another? There going to be plenty of early mornings and late nights for you.

You spend quite awhile chatting with Spitfire, the hours seem to fly by, you talk with her so long you start to crave food and it's only when you hear Spitfires stomach growl does she invite you to investigate a recently opened noodle restaurant. So here you are. inside a smallish building with a bar infront. There are bamboo walls and the décor is red and white, not quite like anything you've seen. The owner isn't pony nor gryphon which surprises both you and Spitfire but a strange thin dragon with an impressively long moustache and a chefs hat plus apron combo.

You both ordered a plain bowl of noodles, and instead got these fancy bowls full of noodles with all sorts of extras added. Your bowl has some prawns in it, which is surprisingly nice combined with all the unidentifiable ingredients. Spitfire's has no such meat but instead two boiled eggs and even more strange green things. You both thank the dragon who responds with a simple bow then leaves you to your delicious noodles.

"Damn, these are good ain't they Laz?" You nod, being too busy chewing to warrant talking. "We should come here again." Maybe that's why these noodles taste so good? The owner needs business so he clearly makes the first bowl overly nice as to attract you back for more. Sneaky.

"Yeah, if you're up for it."

"I totally would be, especially if you come along. It's awesome having somepony to talk to about things and just take a break with."

"Glad I could lend an ear or two." You admit.

"I'll be honest with you, I'm just so stressed out right now you know? I hate the start of a new year, so much work. Ugh. Not to mention I'm not feeling quite myself these days." She squirms in her chair looking a tad uncomfortable. "It sucks being Captain. It was fun at the start, but now. Can't somepony else take over? So much work, and I'm the stupid poster-girl. And you know what that means?" You shake your head, slightly concerned for her. "Can't get myself a stallion. Apparently I need to be single to help bring in crowds of young males." That you understand, but not sure why she's telling you now of all times.

"Can't you date in secret or something?" You sort of know the situation she's in, relationships with other soldiers wasn't allowed during your service. You yourself have been single for ages, but it hasn't bothered you before.

"No way, could you imagine the press if they caught me. I'd get a right scolding from Wonder Wings and maybe even booted for misconduct or something stupid. Ugh. Like I said, it sucks." As those words leave her lips she rests her head onto the bar and sighs heavily.

There's always more to the Wonderbolts than what meets the eye. Even your eyes. None of these problems would have even crossed your mind before, even now it's hard to comprehend all the internal problems they suffer from. Maybe Spitfire needs a holiday too. "Sorry about telling you all this Laz. Just needed to vent." She lifts her head up once more, with a slight one sided smile. "At least I get to mess with the recruits and the other members."

"And me?"

"And you. How could I forget? You're like the most fun to tease, you get flustered so easily. Except when you're tired. It's like talking to an emotionless brick wall when you're tired."

"I get that alot."

"I bet you do." She laughs. Not sure if it's at you, or just with you, but you laugh either way. The next hour is spent eating noodles and chatting. Mostly chatting. Once you finish your lovely flavoured noodles the dragon brings you both a shot of something to drink, whatever it is, it smelt really really strong.

"Sake. Drink." The dragon gesture to the shot. It's a bit early to be drinking alcohol, but you do anyways. You open your beak and tilt the drink into your waiting maw. WOW. That was strong. You throat is warmer and you want to cough but hold it back. Instead you nod your head and smile towards the dragon, not wanting to offend him. Spitfire holds herself together surprisingly well bar the water in her eyes.

You both laugh again. So far the day has gone smoothly, unlike that drink, and tomorrow will also be fun. "Thanks for the time off Spitfire, but I'm still going to be on guard at the very least. Remember you can always count on me for my help. That being said, Lightning Dust has asked me to go with her to Canterlot tomorrow, so I won't be around."

"That was fast. It's just like her." You both agree. "Well, I hope you have fun on your date, maybe we could go out on one after I get this paperwork done?" Spitfire suggests but before you can respond she finishes with; "Nah, who am I kidding, I'm never getting this paperwork done anytime soon. Not if I'm out here eating noodles instead."

You're not sure how to respond so you just smile. Spitfire pays the dragon and you both go about your business.

Author's Note

Quick chapter before the date in Canterlot.