My day began much the same as any other: I woke up after a fitful sleep, and ate breakfast with my husband, Phantom Wing. He is surprisingly nice for a griffin. He even cooked a humble little meal for us and our uninvited, yet welcome, guests. Princess Celestia had made a personal trip to our house by the monastery to see how the recruits were coming along, and I assumed to check on us newlyweds. Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy had also tagged along, presumably as a diplomatic thing as well. Granted they were all my friends, so I doubt they really needed a reason to visit. I just wished they would have let me known, first so I could have been more prepared.
“Marina, this house is just lovely.” Princess Celestia began, entering the cottage with all the grace and majesty of her alicorn heritage. “You really must tell me the secret to such simplistic beauty.”
“Oh it’s nothing, really, Princess. It was made with love. I think that is why it’s so different from...well, every other house around.” I responded, holding my steaming cup of coffee aloft and waiting for it to cool. “I honestly wish the ponies didn’t love me so much though. It’s almost like they revere me as a goddess or something.”
“You will get used to it in time. As a construct, you do have a certain degree of immortality, which the common ponies see as god-like in itself.” She smiled gently as she nodded to Nevian, my steward, when he offered to take her coat. “I’m sorry to drop by so early, but I have some things I wish to speak to you about.”
Oh, there it is. I knew it wasn’t just a normal visit. Then again, none of her visits were normal.
“Well I suppose you all can stay for breakfast. I just hope…” I had to stop as I was rudely interrupted by my husband.
“Don’t worry, love. I made enough for everyone. It’ll be a bit slim, seeing as we have a few extra guests.” Phantom smiled softly at me. I still wasn’t quite sure how to take his cheeriness.
“Anything is fine with me, Phantom. I’m sure even a tiny bit is better than what is normally served at the castle.” Princess Celestia made a slightly embarrassed expression at the mention of the food she had to eat over the centuries. “They have gotten a bit better over the years. But the amount they serve simply doesn’t allow for feeding everypony as well as I'd like.”
“Oh, I’m sure the food will be delightful. I’d be happy for just an apple.” Fluttershy looked around the house with awe and wonder, something she tended to do whenever she came by. Twilight was also looking around, seeming to study every nook and cranny, as if she was avoiding looking at me. She merely nodded her head to show she felt the same. She did not seem very attentive to current events though.
“Uh, ok then. Welcome to my humble home everypony. Please come sit with me in the dining room and we can eat and discuss whatever is on your minds.” I led the way, hoping to the gods above that they had good news at least.
Once everypony was seated, Phantom entered with the food along with Nevian and another servant. Then he seated himself across from me and simply smiled. I found it somewhat unnerving. He knew something, I could tell. My thoughts were broken by Twilight Sparkle clearing her throat and looking pointedly at me.
“Marina, we have all come here to plead with you. We know you love everypony and want to make them all happy. And we recognize how important you are to the ponies around here.” Her tone was a bit hesitant, which was unusual for her. “But...we have decided that you need a vacation.”
“Indeed. You have been working your tail off for the last three years with no breaks. And don’t even think of saying going on missions is a break, because it isn’t.” Princess Celestia said pointedly. “Phantom had brought this up to us the last time he went to Canterlot, and we had been trying to work out ways to let you have time off. And now that Phantom is a married to you, he can take over your duties temporarily while you are away.”
“Away? As in, not here? But what if I wanted to take vacation at home?” I nearly cringed at the glares I got from everyone, including Phantom. I took a sip of my cooled coffee to hide the fact that their disapproval bothered me. “Ok, so I shouldn’t be here then. But where would I go? This is the only place I’m safe.”
“We’ve thought of that...and we considered asking Discord. He loves you, as do we, and I’m sure he knows how hard you are working.” Fluttershy said softly, and she looked down shyly, as if she was embarrassed by saying she loved anypony. “He could figure it out, I'm sure.”
As if on cue, a swirl of colors and a loud pop accompanied Discord’s entrance to the dining room.
“Did somepony mention me?” Discord asked, his mismatched limbs theatrically spread out. “I thought I heard my name and vacation in roughly the same sentence.”
“But I don’t need a vacation! I have all I need right here!” I nearly shouted, making everyone stare more than they already were, if that was even possible. I felt my eye twitch a little, which I’m sure meant that I was stressed out. Or crazy, which was quite possible. “Sure I work all the time without a break, but I have my handy dandy stress relief sitting right across from me.”
“Oh my…” Fluttershy said, her blush showing quite clearly through her yellow fur. The uncomfortable silence was almost tangible.
“I suppose he could be useful in that regard,” began Discord, obviously not paying any attention to the glare he received from Phantom. “But you are only one pony, Marina. Even if you aren’t like the rest of your friends, you still need a break. Remember the last time you had too much stress? You nearly went insane. Granted, those assassins didn’t help any, but you didn’t need to dismember them so...uh, artfully.”
Oh gosh, I had forgotten about that. And here I was, hoping that it had just been a horrible nightmare.
“Regardless, I am going to send you on vacation. Not anywhere here. Everyone knows you and either wants to love you or kill you. I’d rather avoid all of that.” Discord’s smile was mischievous. “Any requests, my dear? I can send you anywhere you wish.”
“Uhm...do I have a choice? I’d rather just stay here and lay in bed reading good books.” The glare I received from my father-figure was a bit much in my opinion, but then again I didn’t even want a vacation. “Ok then. I have no idea. Surprise me?”
“Oh! I do love surprises!” Discord exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. I didn’t like what that could mean. “I can open a portal to a random destination then. Not a problem at all! I can’t guarantee it will be fun though.”
“As long as she is taking a break from work, I think it will be good for her.” Phantom stated, getting out of his chair and coming over to me. He embraced me quite fiercely. I didn’t respond right away, still thinking about the good and bad things that had happened to me over the years since I entered the portal. I wouldn’t have met the love of my life if I never went with Discord in the first place. Or had my innocence shattered by being thrown into constant violence and mayhem. I finally hugged my husband back, running my hooves through his soft feathers. I whispered my love to him, and he to I.
Twilight and Fluttershy both hugged me as well and said their goodbyes. Princess Celestia stood to the side. I think she didn’t really want to say goodbye.
“I wish you the best of luck. And I hope that you have fun. You deserve this break.” she said with a kind smile. The Princess stood back when Discord snapped his fingers and a portal opened.
“Wait...before I go, I want to discuss things with Phantom. It shouldn’t take more than maybe an hour.” I grinned sheepishly, and was relieved when Discord closed the portal. I then dragged Phantom into the bedroom, for both his benefit, and mine.
After all was said and done, we talked, and he reassured me that everything would be alright, and pointed out that we shouldn't keep our guests waiting any longer than we already have. It was rather... impulsive and perhaps a little rude of me, but seeing as they were sending me off to some unknown vacation. I stood in front of the open portal again, its rainbow colors spinning like a cyclone. Fluttershy and Twilight had left during my short absence. Discord had said that they were needed elsewhere. I was mostly relieved to see Princess Celestia was still there, though.
“Marina, I want to say I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have a need of a vacation. I...I suppose it was selfish of me to send you on all of those dangerous missions, with little hope of success.” she said softly, her expression one of regret and sadness. “Consider this vacation an olive branch, if you will. I will make sure Phantom can run everything as smoothly as possible, and if anything arises that is more than paperwork, I am quite positive he can take care of it.”
“Just make sure you come back in one piece.” Phantom smiled as he said this. His eyes were still a bit unfocused from the elation he had felt in the bedroom. “You know I’ll love you forever, but it would make it difficult to do certain things if you were, say, missing a leg or something. Or maybe it would make it more fun. Who knows?”
I blushed at that, and was glad that my other friends were not there still. Nevian approached me and gave me a rare show of affection: a small hug and a kiss on the top of the head.
“My lady, I will ensure everything around here is in tip top shape. Master Phantom will have the most comfortable stay as I can give, I assure you. And I know enough of the work you do to assist him in that regard as well.” His bearded face could not hide his longing to accompany me. He was one of my oldest friends in this world, and it was clear he would rather serve no one else. “Please, take care of yourself. I am certain you will be fine, but all the same…”
Words caught in my throat, so I simply nodded at him and gave everyone one last hug. I found it extremely difficult to say goodbyes, but somehow I managed. I gulped a bit and looked over to Discord as I turned towards the glowing portal again.
“Don’t worry, dear. I may not be going with you, but wherever you end up, I’m certain you’ll find pleasant company and warm sands.” His smile didn’t make me feel any better, especially after the last portal trip. I swallowed my fear and entered the portal, hoping I would be okay...
