Meeting Mommy

The talent show is drawing to a close, and since the highlight of my afternoon and the entire reason I came had long since completed her act, I could not help but feel a little tired of the endless number of foals waiting to act. A roar of approval jolted me awake from a nap, and I eagerly stamped my hooves to blend in with the crowd. From what I can tell, they were about to begin the award's ceremony. Cheerilee clears her throat audibly, evidently grasping for our attention. A few moments pass and the last of the incessant chatter and applause dies down, allowing the pink mare to speak.

"Ladies and gentlecolts, this has been yet another wonderful school Talent show, so please give it up for all of the brave little ponies that performed for us today." she stepped back from the microphone briefly and ushered in a row of fillies and colts that had performed. "Now, we have three minor awards to recognize the bets of the best in a certain category."

"First up, Hazel Nut and Chrysanthe for best dramatic act!" the teacher chimes. I clamber to see two young fillies, one with a light brown coat and deeper brown mane, and one with a distinctive green theme to her mane and coat exchange a surprised glance before trotting up to the front to receive their medals, which are in the shape of a comedy and tragedy mask beside one another. They took an energetic bow and retreated to whence they came, their gleaming medals draped over their necks.

"The next award goes to Storm Shaker for best comedy act!" Cheerilee announces. A rather elated-looking Pegasus colt bounds forward, his wings outstretched as if ready take off. He pulled a goofy face as Cheerilee slipped on the medal in the shape of a jester's hat, which earned a warm laugh from the audience. I remember that kid, he was good. I laughed a lot. Probably more than I should have.

"Finally, for best music act... the award goes to...."

This would be a cinch. In my eyes, this was no contest. Don't get me wrong, there had been a lot of wonderful young musicians out here tonight, way better than I could ever be, but like I said... no contest.

"Miss Audio Tunes!" Cheerilee exclaimed. My heart sinks. A unicorn filly with several multi-coloured streaks running through her black mane gave a triumphant grin and strode up to take a bow. I remember this snob, she did some DJ thing a while back. I could see Viola's face droop as she tried to mask her obvious disappointment.  I wish I could scream in protest. Knowing me, I would probably storm up to that filly and tear the medal right from her neck, staple it back together and give it to Viola. That is, if that wouldn't get me arrested. I've come to terms with the fact that I would be seriously busted if I did something like that.

Cheerilee grinned. "That concludes our fifteenth annual school talent show! Thanks for attending. You can pick up your children at the schoolhouse." she stepped away from the microphone and escorted the row of students back to the schoolhouse, a trail of parents following. This is my chance. I trot up and merge into the growing line.

This is the first time I had been in this schoolhouse in over a decade. Dang, now I feel old. It's nice to see the place looking less run-down. The walls and doors are repainted and the furniture looks rather new. Huh. I can see that stuck-up Audio Tunes showing off her prized medal to her friends. Pfft. I'll take that stupid medal and shove it up your-

Oh dear... I am getting a tad off topic, aren't I? My eyes sift through the ponies, searching desperately for some sign of that familiar purple curly hair. Finally, my eyes lock on Viola. She's speaking with a stallion, about my age, perhaps a few years older. I plowed through the crowd, ignoring the several angry shouts as I stepped on somepony's hooves or shoved them aside. I try to be gentle. Really, I do.

I emerge into a clearing where Viola stands and chats with the earth pony stallion I saw earlier. Awkwardly, I loom there. Crap. What do I say? I can't simply strut up to her and say 'Ahem, I am your real mom. Let's be friends.', now can I? I gulp and inch towards her, clearing my throat to get her attention. She turns and eyes me in confusion.

"Um.... hi." I say, my voice wavering. "You were great out there."

Viola blushes. I can see the stallion give me a look of uncertainty.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" the stallion asked. Ugh. He obviously hates me already. I shake my head slowly.

"No. But you know my name... probably. I-I'm Magenta. Magenta Skies." I gulp. "I'm Viola's real mom."

The stallion's eyes widen and then narrow in anger, he asks Viola to excuse us before carrying my off using his magic to tug my ear. "Ow! What the hay, man?" I yell. He turns to me.

"What are you doing here?" he snarls.

"I just thought I could visit my daughter -"

"She's not your daughter! In case you've forgotten, you gave her up. You abandoned her. you never lifted a hoof to help feed her, clothe her, shelter her. She may be your daughter, but she is NOT your family."

And for the first time in several months, I find myself crying for an actually good reason. The sheer shock of being yelled at was enough to get me all worked up, but his words stung even more because they were true. He was right, it wasn't my place to come gallivanting in here and steal a daughter I abandoned long ago as if she were still mine. This time, the tears hurt. I'm choked, and in my silence all I can think to do is run away.

I bite my lip. That's right, Magenta. Just run away because that will solve everything. It worked great when you ran away from your parental responsibilities, so why shouldn't it work fine now? I try to ignore the several stares I am attracting from the crowd. Dear Celestia, would you stop staring at me like I'm some sort of freak? Unless... I am a freak. My mind is instantly bombarded by several memories of my school days; as a filly, I was taunted endlessly about my looks. I realise now I'm not ugly, but when you're little, you tend to pay too much attention to the opinions of your peers.

I cantered away, bursting out of the schoolhouse. It was shocking to see it had already grown dark, as it seemed like only minutes ago that it had been light, the sun far from setting. I really screwed this one up. I sigh and toss myself to the ground, peering up from my forelegs. Something about seeing the stars twinkle and dance above me seemed to ease my heart from the troubles of my pitiful existence.

Gazing up at the vast expanse of stars, it makes me feel so small and so insignificant in this never-ending universe. Maybe I can find some solace in the thought that somewhere out there, millions of miles away, someone is out there that feels like me. By some random fluke, somepony or something is having a horrible day much like mine, and they find themselves staring out into the night sky, and realising that they are not alone.

I was too caught up in my philosophical hokum to notice the stallion standing beside me.

"Um. Ahem. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I was being a total jerk back there."

I nodded. "You were a total jerk. But you're still right, it isn't my place." I find myself sighing. As much as I wish I could protest, I saw no good reason to fight the inevitable. "So, I promise you I'll be out of your mane. Just... can you give Viola this?" I lifted the chain of the necklace, undoing the clasp and handing it to him. He uses his telekinesis to lift it, and with curiosity glistening in his crystal-like eyes, he opens the locket.

He raised an eyebrow at the heart-shaped photo of my face on one half, the other was blank. "Can I read the note?" he asked as he eyed the small piece of folded paper I had attached.

"Sure, it doesn't say much though. Just from... mom. Erm..." I shoot him a timid look, hoping he wouldn't be angry. Much to my relief, he hadn't been bothered in the slightest. He read the note with a smile on his face. "To Viola." I finished.

"That's sweet," he said as he closed the note. "Um, by the way, my name is Diamond Crescent."

I couldn't contain myself. I burst out laughing. That was the girliest name I have ever heard a stallion be named. "I am sorry... sorry, just, oh dear Celestia..."

Diamond gave me a severely unimpressed glare. "Yeah, I know. My mother was weird, okay? Like I didn't get teased enough in school." the stallion sighed. His silver ragged mane fell over his face, covering his right eye completely. The other visible eye was a milky white, as if he were blind. His entire coat is a soft grey. His cutie mark, a crescent moon. I can't begin to imagine what his special talent is supposed to be, but his name is certainly fitting.

I am a horrible, horrible pony.

"Sorry. I know what you mean. I was never popular with my peers either."

He smiled. "Listen, I should probably get back to Viola now. She's probably wondering where I went. And you're welcome to visit her if you want." he offered, turning away.

"Just remember: 42 Kevlar Street."

My eyes narrow and my eyebrow rises in confusion. "Huh?" Then it clicked. That was his address. I smirk. Smooth move, Diamond.