After Day

[I need a vacation. Maybe my friends would like to get away. Just for a day.]

My wings itch.

Baltimare had too many tall buildings which created winds too erratic and radical for the average pegasus. I had tried to explain to the authorities that there was no such thing, that Rainbow Dash could ride any wind thrown at her, but that hadn't convinced anypony.

So, until we get out of here, I'm hoofing it. Which is stupid and dumb and uncool.

Why did Twilight want to come out here so bad?

Not that I really needed too much on an excuse to take time off. When Pinkie floated by my cloud with about twelve balloons tied around her barrel, I was the only one who jumped on the opportunity, but why such a last-minute trip?

Egghead never did things at the last minute. She'd normally have an itinerary (that's what they're called, right?) with all the sights and shows we'd have to go see. However, when we arrived, she had no plans.

The one who had sobbed and pleaded with AJ when the apple farmer was resolute to stay had no plan whatsoever. That might not have been the weirdest of things from literally anypony else in their friend group (beside Rarity, I guess), but this was Twilight Sparkle.

I honestly don't think I need to rationalize things past that. If you've ever heard of her, you'd know just how weird a show that had been. Just like how one look at me could tell you how much not flying was miffing me off.

"You should really try the buffet, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy set a tray on the table that I'd been holding for us. "I know you're in a bad mood, but it's really good stuff."

"A bit fancy for mah likin'." Applejack set her own tray opposite the pair. "But hay, Twi's payin', so Ah got no room to complain."

I blew a raspberry. The smell told me that they were telling the truth but seeing AJ's snout curl up at the response was worth it.

"Girls?!"

The voice was a bit louder than it needed to be, cutting through the idle chatter of the breakfast buffet and drawing a few wary eyes. Twilight stumbled towards them, eyes wide, mane a mess and ears matted to her head. She was hyperventilating and looked near tears.

"Oh, it's sleeping beauty!" Rarity pulled up alongside Twilight, holding a couple trays of food in her magic. I guess she managed to completely miss the state her friend was in. "Don't take that as a criticism, darling. We all need our beauty sleep, and this trip is on you, so spend as much time relaxing the way you want to."

The two walked the rest of the way to the table while Rarity ranted about this and that. I noticed Twilight begin to calm down, going from "time is ticking!" to "normal stress" real quick. Never mind, guess she did notice. Good job, Rarity.

The purple unicorn plopped into a seat as Rarity placed a tray in front of her. "I didn't know what you'd prefer, but I definitely stayed away from anything quesadilla shaped."

Rarity's laugh died in the air as Twilight gave no reaction to the Q-word. She looked down at the food, then around the hotel, to her friends. "Trip?"

I didn't know how to respond to that and I could tell nopony else did either.

"Where are we?"

Another round of stunned silence from us.

"And it's Thursday?"

"Are you trying to say you lost a day yesterday?" I spoke. It was just like that one Daring Doo story where a relic would force anyone who looked at to forget it existed. "Like, you don't remember dragging us all out here out of the blue?"

"Y- yes." Twilight held her head, confusion and worry on her face. "I went to sleep in my own bed and woke up in a hotel room. I don't know where we are, or why, or how this al-"

Fluttershy wrapped a wing around quickly deteriorating unicorn. "It's okay."

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie nearly gave me a heart attack when she slammed about ten trays of food right next to me. "We've gone through weirder things." She gasped loudly. "I can tell you all of yesterday's jokes, again!"

"Now, one moment, please." Applejack fixed Twilight with a look. "Are yah capable of coverin' this whole trip on a librarian's paycheck or was that a flub from the Twilight of yesterday?" When the farmpony received a blank stare, she got her answer. "Welp, I have some family near the edge of town. Reckon they'd be able to recommend a few nice yet cheap places, if not room us themselves."

I thought about it a bit and my wings started to wag. "Yeah, and those nosebleeds told me that flying wasn't allowed in the center of the city. I'm sure I can still catch some crazy winds near the outskirts."

"Oh, and we can go on the whole tour on the way there." Rarity took out a map, which already had several places circled. "Nothing too pricey or time consuming of course. We can see, appreciate and move on."

"Really?" Twilight was looking at them all incredulously.

"Yes, darling." Rarity sidled along the other unicorn and tried to show her some different points on her map. "That's why it pays to travel light. You taught me that during our last trip, no?"

"Wait, no. I mean, yes, I do remember telling you that when you packed a whole wardrobe last time, but that's not what I mean." Twilight shared looks with all fellow Elements of Harmony, her mouth not quite closing. "I tore you all away from your jobs, your homes, your families, and I can't even remember why. All of you are going to just accept that and move on?"

"I mean, Pinkie said what we're all thinking." I looked down at the stack of waffles getting cold on Fluttershy's tray. "Whether it be some dumb spell or another Discord-esque thing, we've kicked butt before and will do it, again."

"Besides!" The pink party pony cut in. "I have the perfect back up party plan already in the works. I just need to get my cannon back from the valet. Then, this vacation can really start."

"We're still going to go through with this?"

Twilight was rocked a bit by Fluttershy's wing when she shrugged. "Yesterday, you said it was good to 'go out and try something new' and 'sticking to the same routine everyday would drive any mare crazy.' I think you were right." The pegasus then blushed. "I also want to see the sights."

"But I have a report due tomorrow."

In absolute unison, the five of us blew a raspberry. I couldn't be prouder.

Twilight stared stunned for a moment before being overcome with laughter. It spread like a virus, and we were all laughing until our bellies hurt. We definitely earned some weird looks, but who cared in that moment?

"I love you, girls." Twilight wiped away a tear. "I'd be an utter mess without you all."

"We've all been through our paces in the past, sugar cube." Applejack adjusted her hat and took a bite out of an apple pastry. She winced and set it back down at the edge of her tray. "As long as we got each other's back, Ah'm sure there's nothing we can't overcome."

We all shared some warm looks while I swiped a plate of pancakes. "I'd just hate to think how I'd react, if I didn't see you girls this morning."