Today was not an unusual day. Today was a Friday, which, for Spitfire, meant drill practise at nine, followed by a day of dealing with cadets and her other teammates' excited talks of the upcoming weekend. However, compared to another pony, Spitfire’s mornings were always unique.
As she woke up from a night's rest, she found herself looking over at Celestia’s bed. The covers had been re-made already, and the maid was quiet enough to not have woken her. Thankfully, her second back up alarm clock, Celestia herself, did. Celestia was opening the curtains in the room with her magic. She was sat next to the currently-unlit fireplace, drinking tea.
“Good morning,” a tired Spitfire said as she stretched her wings. The sunlight from the windows having been the thing that woke her. Celestia looked over and smiled, setting the tea cup down with a hoof. Celestia looked as regal as ever. Spitfire could never understand how she managed to get herself up so early; even as an athlete she had her limits, yet Celestia rarely showed signs of recently waking up.
“A good morning to you too. It’s a good thing I came back, otherwise you might have been late. I do so wish you would allow me to buy you an alarm clock.” Celestia’s tone was playful, as it was each morning when she brought up the dreaded clock.
“You know I don’t like them. They scare me every time they go off and I end up falling off!” Spitfire replied, now having moved over to Celestia. The table she was on didn’t give her eye-to-eye with Celestia, but that wasn’t too uncommon. “And don’t try and sound like a saint. I know too well that after you're done raising the sun you secretly still want to have some quiet time before you day begins. You’re back in here every morning on the dot.”
Celestia couldn't help but smile at that. While she knew that what Spitfire was saying was true, she also knew that Spitfire was saying that aloud as more of a reassurance to herself than anything. Standing up, Celestia headed for her private bathroom to continue the morning routine. Spitfire finished off what tea was left in the cup, then hopped off the table and followed.
Celestia’s mane was in its dormant pink state. She preferred to work with it this way before allowing the magic to flow. She brought a brush up with her magic as she watched herself in the tall mirror.
“So, busy day for you?” Spitfire said as she too began to groom herself, though she focused on preening her feathers more than anything.
“Mmm, in a way, I do not see it so much as being busy as I do doing what I enjoy,” Celestia replied, smiling once more at the thought of the upcoming day.
“I dunno, I have one or two cadets a day in my office complaining about this or that, and even than that’s too much. Ponies always seem to find issues in the oddest of things. Yesterday I had a complaint that the showers in the changing rooms were too hot, yet when I went and tested it myself they were lukewarm at best!” Spitfire moved to her other wing; she had done this enough to be more than efficient.
Celestia was about to give Spitfire another mini-lecture on how listening and helping ponies was part of her job, but the story all but made her giggle. “Oh come now, you know that’s not very fair on them. I myself sometimes find it hard to bathe at the temperature you consider hot.” There were few in the castle that knew about the bathing habits of Celestia, being the ones to draw her bath. However, they always assumed that the somewhat dangerously hot water must have been fine for a pony who controlled the sun itself. Little did they know Celestia preferred having to endure the heat rather than Spitfire complaining about it being too cold constantly.
Spitfire couldn't help but roll her eyes. It felt as if everypony was born in the snow, and the tiniest bit of warmth warranted panic and complaint. It wasn't like the water was fire or something. “Really? You never seem too bothered by it”
Celestia put the brush away, magic starting to flow into her mane “You can’t tell because of all the steam, but in a way it is refreshing, and I have grown used to it.”
Spitfire, finishing up herself, checked herself once over in the mirror. “Well I cooled down the water anyway. Looks like I’m going to need my own private shower there now. Not like I can separate the water clouds to just have one on a NORMAL temperature. I’m surprised snow doesn’t come out of those things at the heat they have them at.”
Celestia stood up and began to leave the bathroom. Spitfire sat on her back as she did; something that wasn’t all to odd. After all, having just woken up and awaiting a long flight back to Cloudsdale, she didn’t want to do too much, especially since they had yet to have breakfast. “I’ll be back in the evening like normal, so please make sure the chefs make me some food.”
Celestia paused. It was odd for Spitfire to be back so early on a Friday of all days. “Are you not staying with your teammates tonight? It’s a rare occurrence to have you back so soon.” She didn’t mean it in a rude sense; more like a genuine tone of surprise, if anything.
Spitfire hopped off Celestia's back and onto the table. During their time in the bathroom, one of the staff had brought in breakfast for the two. The single tray contained the usual for the two, the majority of which belonged to Celestia. Spitfire took her small bowl of food to the side as Celestia sat down and began to eat her own “Nah, Soarin has gotta fly to Manehatten tonight, it’s his fathers birthday tomorrow. Fleet and Echo are both on their week off at some spa, and the others are still dealing with the Ponyville race things. There isn’t really anything to do tonight. No events, usual clubs and bars are no fun. I guess that means I will be joining you and Luna tonight for--what ARE you and Luna doing tonight anyways?”
Celestia took a moment to think to herself as she ate her breakfast. The usual routine for a Friday night would see her and Luna spending most of the night in the library, going over what Luna had missed in her time on the moon. It was one of the few times that she and Luna could spend together during the day. Though having Spitfire would likely end up with Spitfire bored and making a mess...again. “I do believe tonight we are going to the theatre. I’m sure Luna would love to get some more insight on your life, she herself was quite excited when she found out the arrangement you had. I do believe she herself is interested in trying it.”
“The theatre, huh? Could be fun, I guess. And sure, I'll spill the tips and tricks to Luna. Heck, if she’s gonna go for it, she could always come help me out at the office!” Spitfire paused; realizing what might happen with Luna at the office made her reconsider what she had said. After all, having someone like Luna around might cause some commotion in the team, and her own position as captain and her roles could be put in danger. “Well, I mean, maybe just one or two days a week. I’m sure she could get a job at the library!” The issue of having Luna around too much would mean that the team would begin to realize how inefficient Spitfire was at paperwork. Luna would likely want to help, and might end up doing all Spitfire's work for the upcoming season in a day! If her team caught on, she would have to do other work, like helping with the preparation for tours and events again! The horror!
Celestia almost immediately caught on to the concern, and could not help put toy with it “Oh? I’[m sure Luna would be more than happy to be working with you, she already has a few names picked out, and working alongside you would mean you can teach her how to do what you do even faster, I do think having her their full time would be a good idea” Leaning closer to Spitfire, with a hushed tone “And of course, she can teach you about taking on additional responsibilities once she has finished doing your work” This made Spitfire freeze, and shoot a worried look at Celestia. This in itself was too much for Celestia, who bursted out into a fit of giggles “I’m joking, I am sure we can find Luna a job that won’t endanger your own safety”
Spitfire huffed and returned to her breakfast, a disgruntled look adorning her face. “V-very funny…unlike you and Luna, I can’t stand sticking around here all day acting all regal. I have to admit that when you first suggested the idea I was hesitant, but I’m glad that I went for it. It’s been a fun twenty or so years so far!“ Placing the bowl back on the tray, she walked over to the window.
Celestia refilled her cup, watching Spitfire walk “Indeed, though I do miss the days of having you around while I work, if not only to be amused by the ways you used to keep yourself entertained.”
Spitfire stopped and turned with a devious smile “Oh? The last time I had a day off and hung out with you, I was kidnapped by one of the Elements. You didn’t seem to happy with that little method of self-entertainment.”
Celestia raised her brow. “The last time you did that, I had to send out a search party for the maid to reassure her everything was okay. I assumed you had realized how worried you made ponies, at least enough to not do it again. I thought you would have enjoyed the little party after all.”
“The only thing on the menu was cakes, not exactly a great choice for me. It’s what inspired me to re-do the gag! I knew if I did it then and there after pretending to eat some cake, you would magic up some way to stop me having fun!” Looking at the clock, it was about time for her to leave. If she left now, she could get there before Soarin and make sure the pies were hidden.
Celestia’s horn glowed as she began to make the arrangements for Spitfire to begin her day. “Well then, I will ensure the theatre tonight stocks up on popcorn for you, lest you die of boredom and scare even more ponies”
Spitfire giggled as she opened the window; despite the fact that it always made Celestia mad, she knew deep down that both of them found it funny. Celestia just had to keep up the act. She would have to come up with something better next time, but for now it was time they parted ways to get to their respective jobs. With a wave of hooves, Spitfire flew out the window and off to Cloudsdale, a blazing trail in her path.
Author's Note
Spitfire IS Philomena
