Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Even the most lazy creature, eventually, will get bored out of routine or its absence. Does not matter if that activity is captivating and amusing, or irritating and boring - everything needs a change of sorts, for one to keep their mind in check. Ever for a creature like a cat, not to mention someone far more sentient.         Sunshine would have probably been a cat, if she was not a pegasus already. Her lifestyle is very close to the one those clawed beings experience, especially when it comes to spending time in warm and tranquil places. Yet it is still different. At least, in some aspects.   Anyone probably would have wanted to have a carefree life in wealth, be allowed to eat and drink only the best, have the most advanced protection in the entire world and, most importantly, be able to ask for anything, at any time. Not to mention a whole scenery reversal.   However, even with all the abundance of choice, one can get bored. Especially if that someone will do nothing at all, and will look for endless excuses to not perform tasks, that are quite doable for such a spoiled, choosy and moody being. And the amount of those feasible tasks is mindblowing, to say the least.   Old hobbies either were not that interesting anymore, or they were cloaked and locked by the most absurd reasons. Fencing, swordsplay, astronomy, observations over various things, helping relatives with chores and experiments.. It was dull! Everything felt wrong and dumb!         And now, same as other uncountable times before, heir to the house of Sunrise was blown by boredom, and all she did was lie in her giant bed. Nothing interested this mare - not a detail in new walls, not her reflection in the mirror, not a single pillow, not even a flower in her mane.. She could not even think. Nor did she wish to do so.   That orange pony certainly lacked the skills needed for advanced stuff - she could not repeat a work of a famous artist - a portrait of herself, in terms of quality. Or, for example, assemble a primitive mechanism for adventures or whatever else, or any kind of furniture.. So why bother, then?   Long-eared horse needed something else entirely - something so fresh and original, that it would be interesting, easy to master, and not much of a hustle. And how can one find an activity for themselves with such disaster, vast criteria? Does that mean that Sunshine needs to give in and look for compromises?         With those same thoughts, winged pony finally got on her hooves and marched out of her quiet-filled room. Illusory silence was suddenly shifted by a distant and beautiful violin music. Floorboards also made noises - like if they were going to break at any moment. Sounds surrounded the little one everywhere.   And here she thought: “Maybe I need to do music?”. However, Sunshine dropped the thought momentarily, as she walked towards the winding staircase. “No. I won’t ever be able to hold an instrument properly, even though I am a pegasus.” - another excuse was found.         Mansion’s age reminded of itself with every new step. It appeared as something new, like if it was just built - fabric wallpaper, polished wood; as well as foreign, exquisite and sophisticated architecture.. Yet, small ever appearing details still hinted at nature’s triumph. Even through illusions.   All the smells, rare aggressive plants and roots cannot be ignored just as history cannot be forgotten. This place had some kind of unique atmosphere, and it was obvious why - this house was standing here even before the racial war. Like other places that were abandoned after genocide, it remains and continues to stand, with no hints of breaking down. Nobody else could achieve this feat.   To think about, even the stairs that white-haired mare was going down through, were lit only by moonlight. The light was going through a glass dome, it lit everything, it seemed alien. Was it a castle, or something out of the future? How did every little corner light up during the night? Average ponies did not realise the genius behind elven minds. But they could at least try, could they not..?   “I won’t be a good architect - I’m not an earling. And magic? I don’t have a horn! What about artefacts? Moon told me my potential is dim and I’m no good - can’t even rest on clouds. And I am called a pegasus!” - little one pointedly and angrily stomped on the floor.   Coming down the stairs, her eyes stuck on a bookcase that hid a secret passage, along the rest of the steps. “Maybe I should start writing books?” - inner voice stopped the silence only for a brief moment, continuing again in the same desperate manner - “Too boring, is not for me.”.         Little horse continued to walk, right through the giant gate-like doors into the hall. Enormous space still did not satisfy her interests - same old baubles and antiquities, rare furniture and paintings of other family members - just as any other place in this mansion. Only with more free space.   The only thing that stood out from the rest, are guards. They barely fit even through such big doorframes, because of their height and equipment. But Sunshine cannot interact with them at all - the most she could do, is ask them to ride her on their backs, in the courtyard.   Moonrise is able to issue them commands, but asking him to make them entertain his sister? It simply will not do. Thoughts about smithing and forging masterpieces they held and wore, did not even appear. And even if they would, would the big brother allow such a delicate individual to work with molten metal?         Glancing at the soldiers with a mournful look and getting absolutely nothing in return, pony went to the kitchen. She could not stop thinking, and thoughts about other mansion’s inhabitants came into her head. Inhabitants, that also were her only friends.   “Clockwork can do so much, she could teach me how to construct things that start with brass and end with cogs.. But she has done so since her childhood - she can do so with eyes closed. I probably won’t be able to repeat such perfection, I surely lack precision and grace.”.   “All Gambit does is put everything edible and, not really, into his mouth.. There’s even a special day somewhere tied to feasting. What if..? No, I can’t eat that much food. How can anyone eat so much? It will bore to death anyway! Besides marshmallows, of course.”.   Winged one was greeted by the kitchen, as if it was the last day of her life: giant table was filled with so many foods, anyone could have found anything moodbringing! “Cooking is, interesting. But who would I cook for? So many tastes to learn, need to add things with utmost precision; lots of things.. No, I’ll pass.”.   Sight of food did not wake up pony’s appetite, nor did it invoke a bigger desire to learn cooking. Her favourite treat was not among the banquet, as luck would have it too. At least, food thoughts reminded winged horse about something very similar. Something that involved adding ingredients.   “Potion brewing kind of looks like cooking, but Moon would never allow me to mix unknown things and experiment without the need of it. Don’t want me to become like him. I don’t get it though.. I mean, sooner or later my brother will send me on an adventure anyway, after he finishes with-!”.         Sudden smile from ear to ear drew on the little pony’s face - a genius idea came into her head, if she would say so herself. So genius, that Sunshine even squealed out of joy and yelled “that’s it”! There are so many things to do elsewhere, during travel!   “Maybe I’ll find my thing while helping Moonrise! This world is huge, there’s certainly something out for me as well! He’s busy in any case, I can just take a walk somewhere safe, near our house.” - thought big-eared pony, immediately jumping from her chair afterward - “But I’ll tell him anyway, just to be sure.”.   That is true, there are so many wonderful things in the world, and all of them can make one think! Seemingly random events are full of callings and content! If such a familiar place like home can make somebody think, then anything stranger is a miracle already! This is it - the cure from boredom and eternal laziness!   Cities and countries are worth mentioning alone! Some places are worth visiting without any goal in mind at all - places like Galloppolis - homeland of marshmallows and other kinds of food. And the Crystal Empire with its wonderful landscapes? Sadly, not everywhere it is as beautiful as there or in a painting.   There were lots of problems, almost everywhere - and Moonrise spoke about them non-stop. Pony tried not to think about them, sometimes even ignored her brother’s teachings and words just to keep her mood in check. Seems like the rest of the world did the same - they ignored sources of their troubles, simply trying to live for themselves. Even though they did not get any satisfaction from it either.         This adventure will surely shed light only on good parts of the world! And it would be wise to start this adventure right from the sorcerer’s room. Little pony broke inside without knocking and nearly knocked down a table full of reagents and scrolls with her head. Sunny immediately expressed what was on her mind:   — Moon, I’ve decided everything and don’t even try to talk me out! ..Moon?         Red-eyed mare got confused after noticing three copies of her brother. Yet it was not difficult for that horse to find the real stallion in a pile of his imaginary spawn. One of them was doing something with a big, engraved platinum ball; another one, seemingly more real, performed five tasks at once..   And the third, the real one, was sitting on the floor, just before the main table in the middle of the room. All three unicorns had their horns lit up, but sitting one’s was glowing like it was going to blow up; it was not easy to understand what he was doing at first and why he needed white saddlebags, too. But his shenanigans made sense soon enough.   Walking through an illusion, Sunshine noticed that her brother finished writing something on his latest scroll. The stallion did not even move his head toward the noise and have not paid attention to the mess that almost broke up. However, should his sister approach him even closer, he immediately spoke:   — Sunshine. About time. He is ready. - tired magician spoke with great difficulty, while laying everything down on the table with telekinesis - Prepare, talk later.   Little horse could not even refuse or object. Though, that is for the better - here it is, adventure, starting so soon! Without uttering another word, she put the scroll into her bag and slung it onto her back. She was going to leave the room as well, and only the tall magician’s voice interrupted that pony’s actions and thoughts.   — Stop, don’t move.   It was the easiest thing that Moonrise could have asked of anyone! Yet, his sister did exactly the opposite - she turned towards the stallion, tilted her head and was going to say something. But before she could do anything further, the room was filled with a very bright light.         When the eyesight got back to the winged one, she found herself on an almost empty glade. Only stone in the middle was noticeable at first, then weird and colourful trees, few metres apart from it. Not to mention that flowers and such were very unfamiliar and unique. And the sky was full of sunlight.   Pony moved her wings and sighed with relief, when she felt her bags and its contents in place. Sunshine put them on that lone stone and sat in front of it, looking straight at the bags. At first glance, it seemed like she was waiting for some miracle to appear.   — Seems like something went wrong, right?   The bags immediately caught up in lilac flames, and now there was a white changeling with purple accents in its place. Despite the oversight of his friend, he kept an unusual peace and calmness, though he was looking down at the silly pony. In all senses of those words.   — Seems like someone asked to not move, right? - he spoke with mockery.   The changeling tried to copy the voice of his companion with his own - unusual and vibrating one. He moved his ears, trying to catch the subtlest sounds around him - and even then, he buzzed and crackled with parts of his own body, preparing for the journey. It did not even start, but it already was amusing.   — Oh, please, it’s not like we are lost..! - little one snorted while laying down on her flank - ..Wait, where are we? - Sunshine’s mood rapidly changed as she looked around - Never seen anything like this!   — I do not have a clue. - answered the insectoid - Moonrise said, we need to get to the nearest city, we need to find a certain pony there. This pony knows something about what Moon is looking for. I do not see any city or a road. Maybe we need to walk a bit.   — Good idea! - the pegasus’ mind filled with contradicting emotions again - Who is this pony?   — He said we are not so different - me and her. Maybe she is white, too. Maybe she has problems with spells, like me.   — Maybe. But we have another task right now - to get lost, but backwards! We are in the middle of nowhere. Where will we go?   Shapeshifter thought for a bit and moved his head around himself - like a clock - circling around his body with a distinct cracking. After thoroughly inspecting his surroundings, he stuck out his hoof in front of him, without any doubt in mind. Not that anyone had a choice..   — There.   — And how did you guess where we need to go?   — We are lost. If we knew where to go, we would have found something that would help find a path. Right now, it does not matter where we go.   — Right, true.. Gamby, you sure you are ready for this? Moonrise almost broke his head over you and your magic..   — I am sorry for that. - shapeshifter did not get the true meaning immediately - ..I mean, it is still hard for me to cast spells. It is hard for me to do my stuff, too. It is good there is someone who wants to know more about my nature, besides me. And that someone did not tort- ..train me for few weeks and made this scroll. - insect pointed at his friend’s adornment - I am more worried about your flow-   — What did we say about that?! - suddenly, pony quickly got mad - Just don’t touch it and everything will be fine! It’s good, and it will help! The scroll is going to return us back, and the flower.. - pegasus shook her head - Nevermind!         Finally, the couple went forward into the unusual forest. Usual Sun was dimmed by dense vegetation almost immediately, and the only thing they saw was each other. No point in doubting or denying it - this is still part of Equestria, only a very distant one. The real question is, how distant is it from the destination?