Firebrand woke up early, for it was a wonderful day in Canterlot. Using his unicorn magic, he got himself ready for work and left the cozy apartment Princess Celestia had given him. Firebrand was commander of an FOB that he and the Princesses created a while ago to ensure Equestria's safety. He had always worked long and hard for it, for he wouldn't want to disappoint the Princesses, especially Princess Celestria. As he headed for the Palace, he stopped at the local cafe for his morning cup of coffee. While he was there he noticed a strange figure in a black hood only a few tables away from him. He couldn't tell if the pony was a mare or a stallion. Checking the time, Firebrand realized he was going to be late if he didn't hurry. Finishing his coffee, Firebrand thanked the waiter and hurried along to the palace.
It wasn't terribly long after he arrived at his office when Flash Sentry appeared at his door.
"Princess Celestia wishes to see you," said Sentry.
"Alright then," Firebrand replied "Can it wait? I do have reports to fill out."
"Um, she said it's kinda urgent, you might want to meet her as soon as possible. She's in the throne room," said Sentry.
Firebrand sighed "Ok, I'll be there as soon as possible,"
Flash nodded, then left. Firebrand sighed again, frustrated. He knew better then to question the Princess, but what could be so important to tear him away from his duties? He was supposed to head down to the FOB later on.
Looking at his work, then the door, Firebrand sighed a third time then left to go meet the princess.
Princess Celestia stood looking at the various stained glass windows telling countless tales of her and her sister, as well as her student , Twilight Sparkle. When she looked at her windows. She could still remember the letters Twilight sent her from time to time.
Suddenly, the door opened, and the General guard came in, introducing Comander Firebrand, who looked less then pleased to be there. As soon as the Princess dismissed the General, Firebrand couldn't stop himself from asking why he had sent for her.
The Princess couldn't help but laugh. "Well, Firebrand, how have you been lately?"
Firebrand, feeling a little guilty for questioning the Princess, responded "Well, busy as usual, but fairly well."
The Princess nodded "Busier then usual, wouldn't you say?" she asked.
"Uh... well, you know me, Princess," Firebrand replied, a little surprised.
"Yes, indeed I do, which is why I'm sending you to Ponyville for a few weeks,"
This got Firebrand's attention "Wait, WHAT?!"
"You've overworked, Commander," continued Celestia, ignoring Firebrand's surprised outburst "You need to relax, have sometime to yourself. Saunterhoof can take over while your gone, and I've already arranged everything for your two week stay in Ponyville."
"Two weeks... Princess, you can't be serious!"
"Of course I'm serious, I'm giving you the rest of the day to get ready, the train leaves tomorrow." Seeing Firebrand's look of discomfort, Celestia ensured him that it would be fun for him and that he'll be able to do his work easier when he gets back.
"But Princess, there's nothing wrong with how I do my work," Firebrand protested.
"That's not what I said. You're too tense, Firebrand, a little relaxation will do you some good."
Firebrand opened his mouth to protest again but Celestia dismissed him before he could say anything more.
And with that, Firebrand left the throne room gloomy and miserable. He knew he wasn't going to change the Princess' mind no matter what he said. So he headed home to start packing for his Equestria-forsaken two week visit in Ponyville.
Inkrose couldn't stop bouncing up and down. She was so exited for her moving to Ponyville. Inkrose wanted to pursue her story writing. And to do that she would have to live in a place where ponies would read her stories, not that they wouldn't read them in Cloudsdale, which was where the red pegasus grew up, but she wanted a large range of ponies, not just pegasi. She wanted to move to Canterlot one day, but for now, she wanted to live in Ponyville. Baby steps, she thought, baby steps. Ink was of course, sad to leave her parents and sisters, but she promised to visit and write about her adventures in Ponyville.
So, making sure she had everything she needed for her long trip to Ponyville, Inkrose said goodbye to her mother, father, and her two younger sisters. Then she set off. Flying over mountains, hills, and fields of flowers, Inkrose wondered how she would make her life in Ponyville work. She didn't know anypony who lived there, but she had aranged to live with another pegasus. Inkrose didn't know much about her new roommate, except that she was a weatherpony and lived in a house near the town hall.
Inkrose's first stop was Canterlot, from there she would take a train to Ponyville and meet her new roommate.
Inkrose arrived at the train station exhausted from her flight, she couldn't wait to get on the train.
As she stood of the train station platform, she noticed a red unicorn. He had a golden mane wore a gloomy expression on his face that made Ink feel a little bit sad. She didn't get to think about the unicorn for long, for she heard the train whistle sounding the coming of the train. Once the train had stopped fully she stored her luggage in the baggage car and got on in the passenger section of the train. Ink chose a spot by the window that faced away from the mountain. She looked across the isle and saw the gloomy red unicorn sitting on the other side from her! Inkrose didn't really know what to think, but his sitting there made Inkrose feel a little bit uncomftorable. She didn't want to let the awkwardness get to her, so she tried to distract herself by looking out the window once the train started moving. It didn't really work, for all Ink could think of was the unicorn's gloomy face.
A little way into the train ride, Ink heard a voice beside her: "Excuse me, miss, but do you want anything?" she turned around to see a mare pushing a service cart along.
"Ah... um..." being caught off guard, Inkrose didn't really know what to say. She looked at the contents of the cart nervously. Seeing his chance, the unicorn took the opportunity to order.
"I'll take a sandwich and a sarsaparilla, please," said the unicorn.
The mare handed him his order. Then she turned back to Inkrose.
"And you miss?"
"Uh... some crackers, and a water. Please."
The mare handed her the water, then the crackers. As the mare was leaving, Inkrose heard the unicorn say, "You took your time."
"Uh, yeah, sorry, I had a tough time deciding," Inkrose replied awkwardly. Before she knew it, the unicorn was sitting right beside her!
"Firebrand," said the unicorn.
"Huh?" said Inkrose, confused.
"My name's Firebrand, what's yours?"
"Oh! Uh, it's Inkrose."
"Cool. So uh, where you headed?" Firebrand asked.
"Ponyville! I'm moving there to continue my story writing, eventually I want to move to Canterlot, but for now, I'm living in Ponyville!" said the red pegasus, now quite exited.
"Oh! Well, uh, I happen to be headed there as well," said Firebrand.
"Really? Why are you headed there?"
"Well, uh... you see, I work in the FOB... and uh... I'm taking time off. For a couple of weeks," Firebrand said, a little uncertain.
"Huh, well I'm sure that once you get back, you're work will be a bit easier. But..." she trailed off.
"But what?" asked Firebrand.
"Nothing, it's not important," Inkrose replied. Shrugging off the fact that Firebrand didn't seem happy to be on vacation. "Wait, you work in the FOB?!"
KP waited patiently at the Ponyville train station, well, if you call pacing back and forth while occasionally looking at the clock patient.
For some reason, KP did.
The blue pegasus was getting a roommate. KP had once lived in Cloudsdale but had to live in Ponyville to actually work her weatherpony skills, when she first moved to Ponyville, she had a roommate that was also a pegasus and a weatherpony, so the two of them became close friends. She wanted to do the same with her new pegasus roommate. KP wanted to teach her skills as a weatherpony.
She soon heard the train whistle from the Canterlot train. KP stopped pacing, stood up straight, and watched as ponies got off the train, looking for a red pegasus. KP soon a spotted a red pegasus with a deeper red mane get off the train with a red unicorn with a yellow mane.
KP trotted up to the red pegasus.
"Hi! Inkrose, I presume? I'm KP."
"Oh! You must be my new roommate!" exclaimed Inkrose.
"Yep, who's your friend?" KP asked.
"Oh, this is Firebrand, I met him of the train. Firebrand, this is, er, KP. My new roommate."
"Firebrand, nice to meet you," said KP.
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine," Firebrand replied.
"I'm going to get my bags, I'll meet you at the station entrance," said Inkrose as she trotted off to the baggage car.
For a moment, Firebrand and KP did nothing but stare at each other.
"Why tho gloomy face?" KP asked suddenly.
"Wh-what?!" Exclaimed Firebrand.
"Oh, you just don't seem to be happy to be here," KP explained.
"Ah, well, no, but, uh, it's... it's none of your business. Shall we get moving?" Said Firebrand, a little rushed.
"Well, you don't need to get so huffy about it I was just wondering," replied KP, slightly offended. "What are you, important or something?" KP trotted off before Firebrand could say anything.
"Well, excuse me for being impolite." Firebrand muttered as he trotted after her.