>>320888 (OP)
>…
>Dark staircase upon dark staircase, dimly lit hallway upon more dimly lit hallways…
>This place really does feel like a maze.
>Your slow casual walk is kinda becoming a slow casual journey to another country, it seems.
>All to the backdrop of the guardspony's little hooves clopping along the huge marble tiles of the castle alongside you.
"So…"
>You get her attention.
"Do you know where the library is in this place?"
>She looks around, her eyes half-closed from exhaustion.
>"Just 'round that corner, sir."
>You turn the corner.
>Another dark, narrow hallway, leading up to a blinding light.
>You enter the library.
>Hundreds of magical torches lining the walls turned bookshelves, containing thousands of books of all shapes and sizes, all crammed in with each other and sorted by rarity.
>Is this heaven?
>You walk up to the railing, to see even more books on the first floor beneath you.
>Slowly strolling around the top floor's railing, you feel like a kid again, giddy with excitement.
>Speaking of, you've been wondering about something…
"How'd you become a guard, anyway?"
>"Eh?"
>The pony wakes up.
>Seems like the slow rhythm of your steps, the warmth of the torches along the walls and the dim lighting really did put her to sleep.
>She hums, and not before long whispers you a reply.
>Even if there's nobody in here, it's still a library.
>"It's a long and dumb story… I'm sure you'll get bored."
"I've just read a book by Twilight Sparkle."
>You hear a faint giggle.
>"Alright."
>be Sun Glare
>You never knew what you actually wanted to do in life.
>Your cutie mark guidance was as weak and vague as ever, and your school life didn't yield many answers either.
>After graduating, all you've done was laze around in your room and read.
>What else is there to do for a mare in Canterlot with no expectations, needs, or friends?
>Nothing, that's what.
>The book's damn boring, too.
>You really miss the time you got sent off to that village near Canterlot for a week.
>Everypony seemed so happy…
>They really had no worries.
>No reputation to uphold.
>Be yourself, and don't disappoint your parents.
>You've had thoughts about moving out there.
>But…
>Would you really be happy with that?
>Would you actually like it?
>Would you get up from your fat (in an attractive way, of course) flank and try improving yourself?
>Does changing the location and ponies around you change you as a person?
>Would it change your attitude?
>Would the ponies over there actually put up with you?
>Are you worth putting up with?
>"Probably not," is the answer to all of those questions.
>"That's also why you're still a virgin, Glare," your ego adds.
>"Hiya!", adds your sister, waltzing into your room like she owns it.
>Wait, what?
"What are you doing here?"
>Cloudy Skies grins at you.
>With her all-too-perfect grin.
>And her cute face.
>And those half-lidded, big, deep, blue eyes…
>"I can't check up on my little sis now?"
>She seductively walks over and lies down in front of you.
>Ugh.
>Her pretty face fills all of your field of view.
>Her pretty, smug face.
>Disgusting.
>You try looking like you enjoy being around her, though.
"What's up?"
>"That's exactly what I was just about to ask you, Glare!"
>You cock an eyebrow at her.
"You know perfectly well what I'm up to."
>The smirk that just a second ago was piercing right through your chest like a sharp dagger disappears in a flash.
>Without it, Skies is just staring at you.
>Really hard.
>"Still doing nothing."
"Did you come home just to laugh at me or what? Go back to the barracks or something."
>"The fact that I'm in the Royal Guard doesn't make me tied to the Castle for my entire life, you know."
"Then why are you here?"
>"Meet my family. What kind of a question is that? Didn't you miss me?"
>You put your hoof to your chin, as if you're thinking it over.
>Of course, both of you know what you're gonna say.
"No."
>Cloudy Skies makes a dramatic pose and rolls off her pillow flat onto the floor.
>"I can't believe you'd say that."
"You were never a good actor. Is that all? I'd like to get back to reading."
>"No you wouldn't."
>Eh?
>"The book's upside down."
>You look down at whatever you were just reading.
>Huh.
>No wonder you didn't understand a word of it.
>"Aren't you tired of this?"
>You sigh.
"Well."
>You glance back at your sister.
>She has a sincere expression on her cute mug, for once.
>Or she's just gotten better at acting.
"Do you have any ideas?"
