Don't Hesitate

Accidentally released this but I don't see another reason to "unreleased" it. So Enjoy!

Chapter 10

With all things considered it was a relatively normal morning in Canterlot. The city was still undergoing repair, the inhabitants received a crash course on their evolution last night and of a hero from an extinct species. Yup it was a run of the mile day for everyone who lived in the mountain city. All except for one mare.

A very grumpy looking pegasus stormed down the marble halls of the castle. Servants quickly hopped out of the way and bowed out of respect. They also kept their heads lowered out of sheer fear till she was no where to be seen.

The angered pegasus was still in her night guard armor but her helmet was removed. It was clear to see her furious expression plastered on her midnight blue fur. It would not have been so bad if her mane wasn't crimson red and obstructing one eye but at the moment she was far to enraged to fix it.

She continued her riled stroll, clearly displaying her displeasure between snorts and mumbled curses. Two more maids ducked into a bow as they felt the small tremors the pegasus brought in her wake. However the rumbling of the floor was not caused by the seething anger the mare bore. The vibrations were cause to the much larger being behind her, who was only partially to blame for her foul mood.

With the constant reminder of his presence the mare roared. With one quick move she reached for the candle stand next to a maid. The startled earth pony shrieked as the Night guard captain hurled the candle stand into the floor and stormed off. But just like before there was a low hum as it was caught seconds before impact. Illuminated by an orange glow it levitated back to it's place beside the light brown mare. The giant then quickly rummaged through on of it's compartments and produced on thing tone slab. The Maid read and murmured the on pre-carved word to herself.

Sorry.

The mare held on tight to the candle stand, to prevent it from falling over, as the metal behemoth quickened it's pace to catch up to Night Furry. Dumbfounded the maid stared at it but smiled softly and returned to work.

Minutes earlier.

Night Furry smiled at Celestia, awaiting the order for her vacation. She sat patiently with her legs crossed as Celestia came to a seat cross the table from her. Celestia smiled back and the meeting started.

"Thank you for meeting me so early today Captain." Celestia smiled.

Night Furry shook her head. "It was no trouble at all."

"Well then let's begin," With a cough she cleared her throat. "I have spoken with Luna and she has agreed to give you time off."

Night Furry could hear fire works going of in her head. She was already in party mod and deciding where she should go.

'I'm thinking somewhere sunny.' She happily thought 'Nice long beaches of carol sands dotted with palm trees and warm sun. All the exotic swim suits I would buy off those juicy Captain paychecks. I would get any stallion to fall for me." With a sultry gleam in her eyes she smiled mischievously.

Celestia heard everything she thought, attempting to hide the blush she cleared her throat. Night Furry snapped out of her thoughts but her expression remained the same.

"No shame." Celestia thought, shaking her head. "You will be giving you time off with no decided deadline. You will receive a letter.two weeks in advance when we decide you are needed again."

Night Furry practically leaped out of her chair with joy. The offer was far better then she ever anticipated. Why if things went well she could be gone two months. She could smell the salt water now, feel the hot rays of the sun and fine sand beneath her hooves.

In her mind she pictured herself lounged across the sand like a super model. She would prop herself on her side as a big strong Stallion with a long flowing mane would approach her. He would lay her down on her back and brush her mane from her face, whispering sweet words in her ear. From there he would drive his...

"BUT!" Celestia Roared, crimson red showing clearly in her cheeks. "But.. You must stay within the country. We cannot afford a Captain of your stature to be out of reach should something happen."

"Figures..." She snorted, not surprised in the least. "But fine, I accept."

"Excellent," Celestia smiled, rising from her seat. "but there is one more thing."

"What's that Princess?"

"You will be keeping an eye on the Golem."

Night Furry shot out of her seat. "WHAT!?"

"Volume Captain." Celestia pleaded, gingerly rubbing an ear.

"Princess why are you sending him with me?!" The outraged mare demanded.

"He," Celestia said while making quotations with her fingers. "won't listen to anyone but you it seems. We put him in the dungeon three times and every time he broke out and walked to your room waiting for you to wake up."

"So that's what all the noise was about..." Night Furry muttered. "But that sill doesn't answer my question!"

"He," Celestia said, once again with quotations. "seems to have taken a liking to you and may listen to you. I would suggest taking him to Ponyville and seeking out my student, Twilight Sparkle, for aid."

"Wait... Your telling me to spend my vacation in that country town Ponyville and at the same time babysit Rade?"

"Precisely." Celestia nodded sagely.

"That's a load of bullshit!" Night Furry shouted. "Why should I have to do this for my vacation."

Celestia placed a finger on her chin, smiling. "Oh, think of it as punishment."

Night Furry's eye twitched. "For what?!"

"How about for acting so obscenely the night before? Such actions are unacceptable of The Captain of The Night Guard." Night Furry flinched. "Or losing the duel against that Golem. Take your pick." Celestia levitated the permits in front of her face.

The angered mare opened and closed her mouth unable to form a counter. With rage seething out of every fiber of her being she snatched the scroll and stormed out the room. She slammed the door behind her and Celestia could hear the furious roar from inside.

The sun goddess sighed. "I hope your right about this 'Alex' Twilight." Celestia looked down remorsefully at the scroll her student sent early this morning. "We owe Strider more then you can imagine. If we can somehow pay back through his student then maybe I will stop blaming myself."

Celestia heard a loud crash down the hall and face palmed. "I hope sending Rade helps you sort this out quickly."

*****

Alex Descended the stair case monitoring it constantly in case it had more devious plans with its partner in crime, Gravity. He could still feel the pain running up an down his back. With a few grown and a whine he reached the first floor and headed right for the kitchen.

He entered the kitchen and Octavia averted her eyes. Alex flinched a little under the awkward atmosphere but took his seat anyway. He made sure to sit on the opposite side as her to make them both more comfortable but that had the disadvantage of being next to Vinyl.

"Whoa..." Vinyl looked between the two. "What the hell happened between you guys."

Alex lifted my sandwich and took a large bit of it. "Nothing." He grumbled.

Octavia opted to say nothing but also took a bit of her sandwich.

As the two individuals ate their breakfast their taste buds became overwhelmed with flavor. Alex was particularly surprised to be enjoying his first meal in the strange land.

"Wow Vinyl this is great!" The man enthused, taking another hungry bite.

"It is quite good..." Octavia praised but trailed off. "What's in it? It tastes kinda..."

Two sets of eyes shot open as something hit them. "HOT!" They both shouted, shooting out of their chairs.

Vinyl howled in laughter seeing the two scramble about, Nearly falling out of her own chair. Racing to the sink the two fought over the tap in a battle to end their own suffering. Alex, in a display of male superiority shoved the mare slightly and quickly filled his mouth with cool liquid. The water did little to quench the inferno but it did remove any excess spice within his mouth. On the verge of tears he spat the contaminated water back into the sink. He hanged his head in the sink driveling in discomfort when Octavia shoved him out of the way.

While Alex coughed his lungs out on the floor Octavia flushed her mouth of the offending spice.

Meanwhile Vinyl continued laugh and nearly choking on it. She continued to roll around and wipe away tears of joy even as Octavia shot her room mate a glare.

"That... was pretty funny." Alex said between pained gasps. "But... Never do that again."

"Never..." Octavia agreed.