Love........SERIOUSLY!? Chapter 5
#39 of MLP
Cadance splashed water across, letting the cool liquid wash away the last vestiges of sleep, before drying herself off to meet the new day. On her way out of the bathroom, she crossed paths with her full body mirror, and took a look at her reflection.
The last 2 years had flown by, each day learning new magic, fighting skills, politics, or just hanging out with her friends. Now, staring back at her wasn't the same mare from the accident. Her colour scheme hadn't changed, she had abandoned the idea of dying anything, but her build was drastically different. She was now the height she would recognise from the show, smaller than Celestia, but larger than all but the biggest stallions. The thin lithe frame was also gone, replaced by a modestly thin one, but with well-toned muscles lying visible just beneath the surface.
Her mane was also different. She hadn't grown it into a long flowing mane, nor did she keep the girly ponytail either. Instead she had a mixture of boyish scruff, not unlike that of Rainbow Dash's, but the back was a short spike ponytail. The look said feminine but strong.
She liked it.
Cadance had been working really hard of late, throwing herself into her studies and fitness regime. It would have continued had Celestia not ordered her to take today off. If she had to take a break, she was going to make it worthwhile. Sadly, Fleur and Sapphire were busy.
Fleur's modeling carrier had recently taken off, and with it her calendar had started to fill up. Sapphire had also made her break; she had been noticed by a talent scout, and was now preforming as a backup singer for a prominent artist. So they both had less free time, and apparently they both had appointments today.
Well, there was always Twilight. She was about to set off, but remembered that she needed to wear her regalia when she was out in public. Her crown was the same as the show, but she had changed her torc. It was now larger and pronounced, with the key upgrade of a hidden dagger, one for emergency situations. With one last glance at the mirror, she checked that everything was on right, and headed to Twilight's Tower.
* * * * * *
Twilight lived in a sub-annex of the Royal Archive. It was built inside one of the castles older observatory towers, which held the useful, but not critical works; and was more private then the actual archives. It was no surprise that Twilight claimed the place. Thankfully, it was already set up for a live-in librarian. It even had a small laboratory in the basement sections. The castle's repair crew hadn't been force to go in there too often. (Once every 3 weeks doesn't count as often, right?). Cadance approached the towers external entrance, walking up the stairs and knocking on the door.
"Twilight, are you in there?"
She got no answer, but her improved hearing allowed her to hear some light snoring. She opened the door and peeked in. There was nothing unusual on the first floor, but as she ascended to the second floor, she was welcomed by the sight of an iconic book fort; it was roughly the size of a bouncy castle, but detailed enough to have slit windows and walls thick enough for the filly to walk on. Twilight had to be home, otherwise Spike would have started taking it down by now.
"Twilight?" She inquired again; her only answer the same snoring as before, now much closer and louder. As she reached the top of the stairs leading up to the second level she saw Spike, in this basket fast asleep, just to the side of the forts main gate. Twilight, however, was not in her bed. It looked like she hadn't even slept in it. Cadance steeled herself; she was going to have to enter the book fort.
Making her way through the walls of books, she found her target in the central courtyard. It looked like Twilight did an epic study session last night; the poor filly was still at a table, looking like she had fallen asleep after grabbing a stack of books. A stack she was now snuggling like a pillow.
-'Oh, now there's a Kodak moment.'- She summoned her camera, one she had only bought a couple months after her arrival, and took a picture. -'That one is so going into the Adorkable album.'- After the picture was taken, she magic'd it back to her room, and shook Twilight.
"Twilight wake up." Twilight's response was nothing more than a groan, and further snuggling of the books. -'How is that even comfortable?'- Clearly Twilight was in a deep sleep; in such a state that there was only one way to wake her up. Cadance got into her authoritarian mindset, and said the hated fail-safe:
"Twilight, you are going to be late."
The reaction was instantaneous. Twilight launched vertically into the air, where she stayed, hooves flailing wildly, for about five whole seconds.
"LATE! I can't be late! Nononononononononon!" She would have been racing around like mad at this point, but Cadance had her in her magical grip. She floated Twilight over to her, and looked at Twilight with an amused smile. She saw the lights go on in Twilight's eyes. She crossed her hooves, and pouted. "That wasn't very nice Cadance."
"Sorry Twilight, but sometimes it's the only way to wake you." She nuzzled her, and put the unicorn down again. "Forgiven?" She asked. Twilight put a hoof to her muzzle, deep in thought.
"You know the price." Cadance rolled her eyes, smiled, and moved to sit directly opposite Twilight. Dropping for all four hooves, she prepared for the little ritual.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake." They intoned together, completing the sunshine dance.
"Okay, now that that is done, go and get washed up. We're heading to Donut Joe's for breakfast, and then out to make a day in the city."
"But what about my studies?" Twilight whined. Cadance had been expecting that response, and looked down at her.
"Are they assignments from Celestia?"
"Nooo, but.."
"But nothing missy. You can't spend all your life studying. You need to take a look at the world around you from time to time. These books aren't going anywhere." Twilight was about to continue to argue, but Cadance summoned a box of matches, lifted one out, and lit it. The sheer terror in Twilight's eyes said she understood what that meant.
"Y-you wouldn't?"
"Yes I would." Twilight sighed and lowered her head.
"That's low Cadance."
"I only do it because I care dearly for you. Now go wash up. Today will be fun!" They left not long after, leaving Spike still sleeping. That dragon could sleep through the end of the 1812 overture, . Twilight left a note for when he woke up.