Evil Break

Celestia yawned as she strolled to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. She'd slept as soundly as a filly after the night's previous discussion.

"Oh! You're up early."

Maria was already pouring a cup of her own when the princess caught her attention.

"Hey. You want some?"

"Yes. That would be delightful."

"I still have to get used to that traditional speaking manner of yours."

"I've never really been one to keep up with slang."

"Can't say I blame you. It changes way too often."

Maria poured Celestia a cup before sitting down with her.

"Anyway, me and Emily had to push ourselves beyond military standards to get where we are. We're used to waking up before dawn."

"Isn't she rather young to push herself so hard?"

"Don't worry. I never pushed her beyond what she could handle. Most of the first year was about helping her catch up with me as much as she could. We took holidays off to rest and recover. To be honest, those were my favorite times."

"Why did you take her under your wing?"

"Because I have a very firmly-rooted belief system about being strong in mind and body. If nothing else, it would help prevent any more tragedies like what happened to her from happening again."

"My heart aches for her loss as well."

"The whole world is a mess right now, unfortunately."

"You said you were running from clowns? Why would they be attacking people?"

"I have no idea."

"Where did you intend to go?"

"The southernmost region."

"Antarctica?"

"You guys learn quick. I'm impressed."

"I understand. It's so cold there they wouldn't think to chase after you."

"Yep."

"About your brother: we have yet to find any trace of him."

"It's possible he didn't even come with us, but it never hurts to check."

"Will he be alright on his own?"

"I picked up a lot of my resourcefulness from him."

"As long as you're certain."

"He's not the type to roll over and die so easily."

"I'm glad to see you three are so close. Sibling rivalries and friendship squabbles are always so taxing on everyone involved."

"I wish our kind of bond was more common. I guess most of us are just so complicated we can't let our differences go. The entirety of my life, I've had little to no sense of identity. If that's what it takes to live as peacefully as possible, I'm fine with it."

"Would you consider yourself something of a philosopher?"

"I dabble in it from time to time. You have to take what philosophers say with a grain of salt. Many of them were pessimists with an overwhelming desire for control. I'm of the opinion that people should live the way they want as long as it doesn't harm anybody else."

"I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the term 'pessimist'. Could you describe it to me?"

"A pessimist is basically someone who sees the worst in everything. I was that way for a long time."

"It can be hard to see the good when it's outweighed by the bad, I suppose."

"You get it."

"It's almost time to prepare breakfast."

"I'll do it. I doubt being a princess is easy. You chill for a bit."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I got you covered."

"Thank you."

"No sweat."

"I was wondering, given your training, if I could request a favor."

"A favor?"

"The train that brought you here frequently travels between Canterlot and Ponyville. While the royal guard is there to protect our subjects, the guards' stoic attitudes and blank expressions tend to create a sense of unease. I was hoping you and Emily could put the town at ease."

"We'll help any way we can."

"Please protect them..."

Maria nodded before serving the princess a plate of eggs, toast, and fruit.

"Bon appetit."

Celestia chuckled.

"Perhaps the soldiers could learn something from you."