Chapters Spring is in the air, I can just feel it. From every tip of every branch in Equestria, a bud is waiting to blossom and reveal its beauty to the world. Everypony wore a smile as the sun cast its warm glow upon them, thawing the frost that burdened the land for so many months. Naturally, the local fillies and colts were overjoyed to see the sudden change in weather. While they would surely miss making snow pegasi and having snowball fights, a plethora of new activities to busy themselves with had revealed itself.
I trot through the Ponyville market, instantly greeted with several grinning faces as ponies tending to booths hopefully over their wares for my wandering eyes. However, I digress and pry my eyes from their merchandise, for I am on a mission at the moment. Besides, I have too little money to spend on frivolous things as such. "Aha!" I say as the jeweller's shop comes into view. I break into a light gallop, cantering in the doorway. My ears are greeted with the soft jingle of a bell, signalling my arrival to the shopkeeper.
The rather aged stallion eyes me through a magnifying glass, which he had been using to study a diamond the size of my eye. His lips part into a smile, which reveals his evident dentures. I return it with a curt nod.
"Hello, I am here to look at some lockets. Nothing too expensive please." I beam. I know, I know. I said I wouldn't waste my money on anything silly, but this is very important. He nods and disappears behind a large door with a sign reading 'Staff Only' hanging from a nail. I hear him rummaging through something, the faint clink of metal clashing with metal emanating from the back room.
Moments later, he returns with a locket in hoof, and gently sets it down on the glass counter before me. I must say, it is beautiful. The chain is linked with thin, silver oval-shaped chains, joining at the bottom to reveal a heart-shaped charm. I can tell the silver is fake, but it still had a similar effect.
"You like what you see?" he smiled, opening the tiny clasp on the heart to reveal two thin film pockets where the picture of two ponies were supposed to go. I nod vigorously.
"How much?" I ask, placing a hoof on the counter nonchalantly. He says the number, and I swear that if I had a mouth full of coffee right now, I would do a spit take. It was way over what I had hoped. I know that most fancy things as such would be out of my price-range, but if this was cheap these days then I am seriously screwed.
I grin uneasily, a bead of sweat forming on forehead, just beneath my mane. "Um... that's a tad out of my price range at the minute. Is it possible we could haggle?"
The shopkeeper raised a greying eyebrow in contemplation. I silently pleaded, knowing he couldn't hear me but hoping that my will would somehow make up his mind. After a few seconds of silence, he nodded slowly.
"Tell ya what, for a pretty young mare like yourself, you got a deal." he chuckled. I nearly squealed in delight, but luckily supressed the urge. Perhaps I was some sort of telepathic pony after all. For a solid five minutes, we shoot slowly decreasing prices back and fourth until finally, he gives up and dips just low enough for me to afford.
I counted out the gold coins, adding a few bits as a thank you tip to him. With a grin on my face to match those of the ponies around me, I trot out of the store triumphantly with the locket clenched in my teeth. I peer up at the sun, trying to gauge the time. Eventually, I give up, mentally admitting I had no idea in Tartarus what times it was. Gingerly, I approached a cherry salesmare as she chatted up a potential customer.
I waited awkwardly for her to turn her attention to me, and as soon as she did I jumped at the opportunity.
"Excuse me, do you have the time?"
The unicorn nodded and peered down at a wristwatch.
"2:27, miss." she answered. Crap. Crap, crap, crap.
"HOLY PONYFEATHERS! I'm late! Gotta run! Thank you!" I scream, dashing off. How could I have been so foalish? I mentally scold myself. My sprinting quickly transitions into flight as my wings kick in and hopefully save me some time. Where I am heading in such a rush? The answer is quite simple. I am attending the school Talent Show, where all the talented foals came to perform. Someone very special to me was going to be up on that stage in less than five minutes.
With one final surge of speed, I soar towards my destination. In exhaustion, I collapse on a patch of grass. Wearily, I glance up to see the relieving sight of the schoolhouse just a few feet away. I could already see a large crowd forming around a rickety stage in the vast school field. I jog over and steal one of the few remaining seats. Just in time.
The audience was humming with chatter, but soon fell silent as a joyful mare trotted onto stage. None other than Ms. Cheerilee, the beloved teacher at Ponyville Elementary school. She was greeted with a small round of applause herself. She grinned sheepishly, taking a sweeping bow before approaching the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlecolts, thank you for joining us this afternoon for our fifteenth annual school Talent Show!" she announced, her voice swelling from the speakers. "Please give a round of applause for a very brave filly, whom volunteered to go first.... Ms. Viola Velvet!" Cheerilee threw her hooves up and several whistles and the sounds of hooves stamping the ground erupted around me. I was certain, however, that I cheered most of all.
I suppose it is high time I explained some things about me. My name is Magenta Skies, and that filly up there is my daughter. Too bad she has no idea who I am. At the young age of sixteen, I was impregnated by a boyfriend I thought would be a loving father. I thought wrong. As soon as the baby was announced, he vanished. Said adios and skipped town to hit up some other poor teen.
Despite the several financial struggles I had to endure, I managed to give birth to a healthy filly. She was beautiful, but so much like her father: for example, she had his purple coat and distinctive curl to what little mane she had at the time. It seems the only thing I passed on was my eye and my muzzle. Nonetheless, I loved her dearly.
I wanted what was best for her. I wanted her to have a bright future, unmarred by my horrible excuse for parenting skills. I did the only thing I could think of, and gave her up for adoption. It seems like only yesterday that Viola was a baby, sleeping in my arms with a placid look on her face. Now, she was seven years old, and she is just as pretty as she has always been. A gem in my eyes. I watched intently, holding in a nervous breath, as the filly meandered onto stage, making her way slowly to the microphone.
She lowered it to her height and gulped, beads of sweat visible on her forehead. She frowned nervously, searching the crowd, most likely for her adoptive parents somewhere out in the sea of ponies. I silently wish her eyes would land on me. Oh, if only I could take her back and raise her as my own. If only my own daughter could recognise me. But to her, I am just another unfamiliar face, staring at her, awaiting her performance with bated breath.
She parted her mouth, inhaling sharply before beginning her song. I admit, it started off a tad shaky, as was expected from such a nervous young foal. However, she soon regained her composure and her voice settled. Her voice is stunning; melodic and powerful, her voice poured over the audience and rushed to my waiting ears. I can tell the crowd is awe-struck, just as I am.
A minute or two passes, though it seems like only seconds, and her song comes to an end. Crap. I am getting emotional. I've always been a cry baby. A tear of pride stings my eye, welling up an then escaping down my blue cheek. She pauses, stepping down from the microphone quietly. The audience is silent, save for a few hushed murmurs of "wow" and "amazing, simply amazing". A mere moments passes and in unison, a deafening cheer explodes from the mouths of every pony attending. Their hooves, as well as fine, stamp at the ground and join in a collective buzz of approval.
The pony glances up in evident shock at the response, her violet cheeks flushing a deeper purple, and once again her eyes wandered through the crowd, sifting through the ocean of faces for a certain pair. I wish I could scream out her name, call her over to me and settle her in my lap. If only I could hug her. I would give anything to hug her. She happily skipped of the stage, her spot replaced by two young colts wearing comical disguises.
A comedy act ensued, and I admit, I chuckled on more than one occasion. It was followed by several other performances, all wonderful in their own unique ways, but in my eyes, severely outshone by Viola's song. Perhaps it was just the bias of a proud mom. It felt odd to think that somewhere out in the crowd, a couple of ponies felt the exact same love for my daughter. It felt even weirder to think that she returned that love.
I am overcome by a wave of guilt. It was not the first time, far from it, in fact, that she had felt bad about giving up her daughter. From the moment she had signed the last bit of paperwork, writing her signature on the dotted line, she had regretted it deeply. What would my life be like if I weren't just another face out in the crowd. What if I wasn't simply another stranger milling about Ponyville.
What if I no longer had to love my own daughter from afar?
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.
"Viola?" I call into the seemingly empty washroom. I let my voice echo through, bouncing of the graffiti-covered walls. There was no reply, but I could hear a filly sobbing in one of the stalls. "Viola? Are you okay?" I run along the row of dark green stalls, my hooves brushing aside each unlocked door until it came to one that refused to budge. I knock, putting my mouth near the little slit where the hinges were to speak to her.
"Go away." I heard a voice sniff.
"Hey, little one," I coo. "Can I come in?"
There was a dead silence, the kind that left a strong sense of tension in the air. To my relief, I hear a click and the door swings open to reveal my daughter huddled atop the closed toilet seat. Her eyes are puffy and red, her mouth curved in a dismal frown and she looks absolutely petrified.
"What do you want?" she huffs, burying her head behind her forelegs. "You probably don't want me , right? Because I'm a failure. Everypony knows it. And now you do too. So why don't you just go ahead and leave me alone, alright? You obviously didn't have any trouble with that when I was born."
My mouth felt dry in two ways, a parched dry that nagged me for water and a drought of words. Everything I had to console her was instantly sucked out of my mouth, leaving a bitter taste of defeat on my tongue. I was both taken aback by the nerve she possessed to accuse me of not loving my own daughter and the uncomfortable sensation of pure and utter guilt. It felt as though a hefty rock had appeared in my stomach, and now weighed me down. Her words were the poison shoved down my gullet, and her icy glare was the invisible hoof forcing me to swallow the inevitable truth. I swallowed hard as if I were gulping down the venom.
"You don't even know-" I stammer. The words well up in my chest, but I fumble to grasp them in my throat long enough to speak. I inhale deeply, my nostrils flaring as the exhausted breath escaped from my lungs. "I don't expect you to understand, or even begin to comprehend what it was like for me. I see now how scary it must have been for you, and I am sorry. I am truly..." I wince as my own words seep in, what I'm saying. Biting my lip as the thoughts I had contained for so long pounded in my mind. "...truly sorry for that. I only wanted what was best for you. How could a mare like me, one that can hardly care for herself, give you the loving home you deserve?"
"Mom, I-" Viola began. I could see tears of guilt welling up in her eyes as well.
"I was not ready to be the parent you needed. So I gave away the one thing I loved most in the world, the one thing that actually loved me back too."
My eyes jerked upwards as I felt a gentle-yet-startling embrace. I glance down, my forelegs awkwardly contained in her grasp. She perched on her hind legs, and her once perfectly-groomed coat was ruffled with wind and splattered with speckles of mud. Her forelegs rapped around my lower neck. Her head, and dark mauve mane done up in perfect little curls, rested on my shoulder. I could feel her body quiver every once in a while as she sniffled or sobbed, and droplets on salty tears collected in my blue coat.
"Shh," I cooed in a soothing voice. Like clockwork, I stroked the fur of her coat gently in a vertical pattern so that every stroke left it smoothed down. "It's alright."
"I l-love you, mom." she managed through incessant sobbing.
I planted a peck on her cheek, breaking the hug and giving her a smile. "I love you too," I grin. "So howabout you go wash up and I'll meet you outside, sound good?" Viola shoots me an inquisitive look, but nods and trots over to the sink with an obedient smile. I peek my head out of the Mare's restroom. Luckily, the cruel crowd of foals I had accidentally attracted had subsided by now.
The clouds had begun to roll in, casting a shade over the entire fair. Most families had decided to return home as the sun faded, leaving the rows of booths eerily quiet. The only sound that greeted my ears was the occasional whistle of wind as it picked up around me and fell once more and the faint tune of cheery carnival music drifting about the place. I feel a bump from behind and turn to see an embarrassed Viola, blushing from her sudden collision with my flank.
"Oops." she laughed, "I wasn't looking."
I giggle idly, but the task at hand is far too important for me to get distracted. "Are you ready for a challenge?" my lips part in a mischievous grin as I rear up, pawing at the air dramatically as my wings splay out. Viola nods eagerly. "Sweet. Let us commence! Today, I shall teach you to...." I pause for dramatic effect. "FLY!"
Viola's eyes instantly widen and her eyebrows curve upwards with evident fear. Her lavender pupils seem like tiny ships in a sea of white. "No... no, no, no..." she mutters, taking a step backwards.
"Aww, c'mon. Nopony's here to judge you, and you won't succeed unless you try."
She takes a shaky breath before speaking. "Okay. Um, where do we start?"
"Hop on!" I say, gesturing my head towards my back. "I'll take you for a practice flight first." The filly clambers onto my back, her hind legs digging into my sides, just below the wings. "Hold on tight." I can feel her hooves dig in even more. I break into a gallop, dashing across the open field. With a burst of speed, my wings extend and a steady flap pushes me into the air. I can feel Viola tense, and her hooves struggle for a grip around my neck. I begin the climb, each wing beat propelling me higher from the ground below.
"Ready?" I gasp as the wind presses against my face.
"Ready."
They say the sensation of flying never wears off, even on the most experienced pegasus. It fills me with glee each time I part from the worries that burden me on the ground and for once, fill my head with nothing but the joy of dashing among the clouds. I near the massive curtain of grey clouds looming over Ponyville, climbing just high enough for a foal to reach out and stroke the silken softness of one.
"Go on, touch it!" I urge, my hoof brushing against it as an example. I look back at the filly and stifle a giggle at her intense expression, with her tongue pointed out of her mouth in concentration. I roll my eyes. "It's a cloud, not surgery."
She gives me a stale look, her eyes narrowed, but she shrugs nonetheless and ventures from her grasp on my mane long enough to touch it. Her eyes widen in pure amazement as her hoof falls through the puff of grey and it vanishes like a wisp on nothing dancing on the air. "Woooow." she gasps.
BOOM! A blinding flash of light consumes my vision and an equally-devastating clap of thunder erupts around me, causing me to lose control of my wings. A searing pain rise in my left wing, the burning tingle of the lightning scorching my flesh and feathers. I cry out in agony, but that is the only sound that manages to escape my mouth. The only indicator that I am no longer aloft is the swell of 'butterflies' in my stomach as I plunge toward the earth below. Is this it? Is this how I'm going to die? The yellow light clouding my vision begins to subside and the blurred image of Viola plummeting beside me comes into view briefly. I struggle to hold my eyes open and fight the sudden urge to drift off to sleep, the wish to escape the pain and simply end t right here.
If I die, then so be it. Celestia, let her live. Let my sweet little filly live. Please.
Just... please.
* * *
Everything is a blur, but I can just barely make out the distorted silhouettes of three ponies hovering over me. There is a throbbing pain sounding in the back of my brain, and the pain is sent in jolts through my entire body. The world is spinning, but as the pounding subsides, so does the fog that has settled over my mind. I can make out the faint pitter-patter of raindrops against an umbrella.
"Shh. She's waking up." I hear a familiar voice hiss.
I squint my eyes and slowly crane my neck to view the source. "D-Diamond? Am I dead?" My vision clears and the spinning ceases. I can now clearly see a rather distraught-looking Viola being held by Diamond. The other, if I remember clearly, is the local doctor. I haven't seen him in several years, since I haven't been able to afford medical care since I moved out of my parent's place.
"No," the doctor says in an amused tone, as he clenches a large blue umbrella. "But you narrowly avoided it. You're lucky to be alive. In fact, if it weren't for Viola here, you may not have survived the fall."
My eyebrows lift in confusion. "Viola?"
"Mhmm. She took hold of you and did all she could to slow you descent. She immediately ran for help. Fortunately, I had taken a day off today to visit the fair and as a doctor, I always carry around a first-aid kit. You will most likely be in pain for two weeks, achey and such. That left wing needs some good mending as well, but your wounds aren't too severe. So you can head home now."
I try to nod, but another zap of pain warns me against it. "Thanks doctor." I rasp. He gives a curt nod and trots off. Diamond helps me to my hooves, bracing me as I stumble. I wiggle my wing as much as I can, groaning beneath the restraints of a tight bandage. Viola flies at my side, her wings beating frantically to stay aloft.
"Look! I can fly, mom! And I saved you!" she cried ecstatically. I wrap my hoof around her side, hugging her close to me.
"You did indeed. I'm proud of you."
Diamond leads us to his cart, hitching himself up once more. I climb, with some difficulty, into the back. Viola flits in and nestles beside me. The rain has begun to fall harder, and the steadily growing sheets have already succeeded in drenching me to the bone, my magenta mane falling in messy dripping ringlets around my shoulders.
"There's an umbrella back there for you." Diamond yells over the drone of rain colliding with the stone paths around us. Sure enough, beside me lays a red umbrella. I reach for it and undo the strap, pushing the ring up around the metal rod and in turn, opening the umbrella. Having a chance to dry is a relief as the storm presses on around us. The dark clouds on the horizon tell me there is yet more to come.
Diamond gives me a weak smile as his drenched mane cascades over his eye. I give a violent shiver as the icy chill of the rain seeps in. He must have noticed, as he immediately unhitches himself and pulls the rain coat from his own back, draping over mine.
"Oh, no, really.... there is no need to -" my words are muffled as his lips meet mine in a sudden tender kiss, only to part within seconds. He gives me a shy smile and returns to the front of the cart without a word of explanation. I can hear Viola's incessant giggling at the sight of them sharing such a 'grossly romantic' moment. With a groan of the wheels, the cart is pulled into motion. The hour seemed to drag on as the rain collected in tiny pools around me. But the feeling of his lips still freshly imprinted in my memory and the sleeping filly at my side kept me sane through the spasms of pain.
I must have dozed off at some point, with the hum of rain and the occasional roll of thunder like a lullaby, for I am jolted awake as the cart comes to a stop. The three of us escape into his home, all eager to embrace the warmth and dryness that lay in wait. Diamond, like the silent gentle colt he always is, immediately sets off to rummage about for some blankets. I pry off the coat and shake off the umbrella. With a wipe of my hooves on the neat little doormat, I enter.
The entire house is enveloped in darkness, for the storm had rendered us powerless. I hesitantly approach the wall of shadows, fumbling around to assure I don't bump into anything. I scream as I collide with what looks like a pony.
"Magenta, is that you?" he asks.
"Yeah! Do you have any candles or matches per chance?"
The sound of a match striking the side of the box, and the sudden dim light that emanated from the flame is answer enough. I can see his dripping face, and his two beautiful eyes peering at me from beyond the match. He lifted a candle to the steadily dying flame, and the wick was immediately alight, bathing us in light.
"I'll light a few more, you take this one and see if you can get the fireplace going." he instructs, handing me the candle and setting off to light some more. I use what little amount of candlelight I have to guide me through the labyrinth of furniture and walls, until finally, I come across the living room. It is just as neat as I remembered it. The soft, circular rug seemed to beckon to me, inviting me to nap upon it. The ornate stone fireplace, with photo frames adorning the shelf above, looked like a mouth filled with jagged teeth, lurking in the shadows. I've always hated the dark, ever since I was a filly. My over-active imagination is capable of making the most innocent of objects into a sinister creature prowling about.
I settle down on my haunches and take a few pages of an old newspaper from the pile of kindling and crumple up. I can see the silhouette of two sizeable logs already in the fireplace, so I set it alight with the flame of the candle and quickly toss it in. A few moments pass, and the flame spreads to the log, engulfing the room with a wave of heat. I hold my chilled hooves up to the growing fire.
"I'm back." Diamond says as his aura lifts a blanket around my shoulders, tucking me in all snug. Viola settles at my side, her head resting on my shoulder.
"Thanks." I beam, "Care to join me?"
Diamond settles at my side, casting me an awkward side-glance to assure he is not too close for my comfort. I shake my head with a contented smile, my head meandering over to his shoulder until it found a suitable place to rest. I could feel the tension in his body leave him immediately as he relaxed in my gentle embrace. We spent several minutes in silence , our tired eyes staring into the fire as the last remnants of cold left us.
With a loud yawn, Viola closed her eyes and slumped onto the soft rug beside me. With a weary smile, I lift my blanket and place it over her as I plant a kiss on her forehead. "G'night, squirt." Diamond Crescent has fallen asleep as well, and I can't help but think about how sweet he looks when he is sleeping. I lower myself down beside him, crawling beneath his blanket. My eyes slowly flutter shut, the same placid smile on my face as the image of the flickering hearth faded away.
The End.
Of Carnivals and Cotton Candy
I can hardly help but be ecstatic right now. Something about the crisp spring air is simply intoxicating to me. The day was just as it had been yesterday, warm with the most delightful of breezes to keep us balanced. I sigh inwardly as I notice a cluster of rather grey clouds looming in the corner of the otherwise flawless blue sky. Darn it. I hope my big day with Viola goes well nonetheless.
Speaking of Viola, I really have no idea of where I'm supposed to be going. I got a hold of Diamond - and no, for the record, I am still not over his name - and we arranged that I would pick her up today at noon. In hopes of being as punctual as possible, I set out an hour early so I could wander. I wrote the address he gave me on my hoof. I peer down at the letters scribbled in sweat-smudged black ink, making out with some difficulty, the words: 42 Kevlar Street. Perfect.
I trot off down the cobblestone path, which snaked through the entirety of Ponyville. The neighbourhood shouldn't be too far away. In fact, I remember reading somewhere in the paper that there had been quite a bit of construction in this area of late. Five minutes down the road, I am blocked by large steel gates cutting through the road like a knife about to remove a slice of pie. Several chains intertwined through the bars and joined in one heavy padlock. A sign read in swirly letters read: Crescent Acres . Crescent? Huh. That's Diamond's last name. I knew he was well-off but by the looks of it, he or someone close to him was filthy rich!
I pressed my face against the cool metal, gazing at the several beautifully-painted houses overlooking their perfectly-manicured lawns. The rhythmic clicking of water sprinklers as they rotated could be heard. Childish giggles of foals tossing a beach ball back and forth rung in my ears.
"Fancy." I smirked.
I noticed a short stallion with a bristly moustache sprouting from his upper lip approaching me, eyebrows raised. He said with a wheeze, "Yer here ta see someone?" I nod eagerly. He grunts, mumbling incoherently beneath his breath as he fumbles through his keys.
"Who?"
"A Mr. Diamond Crescent. House 42?"
He jerks his head upwards, some sort of sign of recognition. "Lemme buzz up Mr. Crescent here then. Make sure he's expecting ya... well, ya know protocol." he says as he raises a cellphone to his lips, waiting in silence as it rang through. Finally, the muffled voice of Diamond appears. The two chat for a moment.
He takes the tarnished brass key, inserting it into the lock and twisting it until a loud click emanated from within. The padlock fell open, as did the doors, clearing my path. "Thank you!" I grin and saunter in.
Wow, is this place hoity-toity or what? It makes me rich just being in here, that is until it becomes just another sad reminder that I'm a dirt poor 23-year-old mare living in a rented bungalow, did I mention alone at that?
My life sucks. It really does.
Tediously, I search through the several houses, passing incorrect door number by incorrect door number. Finally, I stop at a house marked with a 42 in brass. The walls are made up of stone masonry, a jagged but beautiful pattern. A rather expensive-looking cart is parked on the curb outside. Nervously, I approach the large white door and raise my hoof to knock. I nearly gasp aloud in shock as my hoof falls through nothing. The door opens without me. I stare down at the purple pony with a curly mane gazing up at me as if I were Celestia herself.
"Mommy!" she cries, throwing herself into my forelegs and giving me a tight hug. My mouth is open, my hooves splayed out as I try to grasp what is going on. She's hugging me. She actually called me... mommy. Without a word escaping my mouth, I settle into her embrace, returning it back even tighter.
"Viola." I sigh, my pink eyes settling on the filly. She giggles and withdraws from the hug, stepping aside to allow me in. I see Diamond has arrived by now, awkwardly hovering around the corner, watching us exchange a hello. He waves a grey hoof, an idiotic grin plastered on his face.
"Hey, Magenta." he says sheepishly. I notice his cheeks flush a hot pink, to my surprise, but what is even more shocking is that my cheeks are flushed as well. I feel my heart string being tugged by his charms. I say hi as well, not hesitating to trot into his home.
I can hardly believe what I am seeing, everything is just so opulent and intricate. The main entrance fell away to a polished hardwood floor, leading into several guest bedrooms lining the white hallways. Classy painting hung from the walls, and several shelves were cluttered with neat little baubles and knick-knacks. The kitchen is nice and modern with granite countertops. But my favourite part is definitely the staircase: he hardwood steps led up to the top floor, and I could detect the faintest shimmer of crystals inside of it, the banisters were carved into a floral and vine-themed design, and above hung a large chandelier, thousands of tiny crystals dangling and reflecting the light.
"You're place... is breath-taking." I manage to mumble.
Diamond blushes. "Thanks. My aunt Ophelia Crescent owns this place, so she managed to hook me up with a place to stay while I go to university."
I peer up from a photo I had been examining of Diamond and his parents. "Oh? What courses are you taking?"
"Astronomy. And no, not that astrology stuff. I mean, like, the studies of stars and stuff. But my real interest is in the moon. I find something about it so.. fascinating. That's how I got my cutie mark actually."
"Cool." I say, dismissing his failed attempt at a conversation I surely would not be able to follow.
"So, you said you wanted to take Viola to the County Fair then? Do you drive?"
My almost-apologetic grin answered his question. He chuckles.
"No worries. I'll drive you there and pick you up at around... say, five-ish?" he replies in a nonchalant tone of voice, opening the door and trotting out to his cart. My face lit up, as did Viola's. I trot after him.
"Really?" I prod, evident doubt in my voice. "You'd do that for me? That's really sweet."
I blush. What the hay am I saying? Here I am, cooing to Diamond like some love-sick filly. Get it together, Magenta! If my hooves could reach, I would slap my own face right now. I'm swooning like an absolute foal. He turns, but I can just feel him tense up because he's embarrassed. I pry my eyes from him, landing on Viola. This was my daughter, after all these years, we were going to spend a day together, just her and I. We have a crapload of catching-up to do.
"It's no problem," he mutters as he hitches himself up to pull the cart. "hop on."
We do as told, and I help Viola up onto the cart, stepping on myself. He pulled us along, down the newly-paved streets and onto the stone paths that led to the heart of Ponyville. I marvel at how nice it is to actually get a ride, usually I just walk everywhere. It is certainly good exercise, but tiring on the hooves. It is a luxurious feeling, to stare down haughtily at the peasant ponies below and feel oh so extravagant.
Really, I am just an average mare like the rest. And nopony who knows me is fooled by my sweet ride.
Viola is eerily quiet, I find. She is simply staring off into the distance. In more ways than one, that reminds me greatly of myself. I'm usually the one zoning out while I contemplate life or whatever it is that is whirring about in the filly's brain right now. I sidle up to her on the seat.
"So, watcha thinking about?"
She snaps out of her trance immediately. "Oh... nothing. Just a little nervous." Viola shrugs, her deep purple shoulders rising and falling.
"Nervous? About what?"
She sighs, I can see this isn't easy for her to admit. "I just... I'm nervous abut today and how it'll turn out. I've thought about meeting you and how great it would be to finally see you, but it scares me too. What if I didn't live up to your expectations?"
Wow. That is all that could pass through my head at that moment. A simply word to state my pure shock. All this time I had thought that I was the only one worried about this moment, worried about how she would see me and whether she would be angry or not. What did she have to be scared of? She's perfect. She sure inherited some good looks, and I'd like to think from time to time that it was from me, she is talented and intelligent. She's everything you would look for in a daughter.
"I know how you feel."
"You... do?" she asks incredulously.
"Of course! I could hardly sleep last night I was so worried. I kept fretting that you would hate me! You have no reason to feel you don't live up to my "expectations", heck, you're everything I always wanted but never had." I give her a warm smile, and she returns the notion as her foreleg wriggles behind my back and onto my side in a hug. I rest my hoof on her shoulder, and for and for a fleeting moment, our cheeks brush.
All my life, I lacked one thing that everyone else seemed to find. Happiness. Sure, I'm happy the majority of a nice day. But that's not real happiness, it's just a peaceful lack of a negative feeling. True happiness is joy. True happiness is fulfilment. But right now, at this single moment that was so puny in the vast expanse of time, I felt happy. Truly happy.
And on another high note, the saying "Time flies when you're having fun" actually makes sense to me now. The ride out the fair is a solid hour from the town, so you can imagine my surprise when in what seemed like five minutes, we had arrived. The cheery hum of carnival music drifted from several booths and several young foals trotted about with pink cotton candy in hoof. Viola's eyes light do, as do mine, not unlike an excited filly peering between the gates that supressed her, craving candy... craving friends.
Ever since the town was founded, the Apple family had held an annual county fair to attract tourists and keep those already living here entertained. Several events including apple bobbing, carnival games and pie-eating contests were held and the place had a sheer sense of joy about it. A little earth pony with her red mane done up in a bow beams at us from the ticket booth. Viola trots up to her.
"Hey Applebloom!" Viola smiles.
"Howdy, Viola. Y'all here fer some tickets?" the filly holds up a reel of yellow paper tickets and unravels a line of them for us to see. "Applejack has me tendin' to tha ticket sales while she helps Big Mac with somethin'."
"Yeah, two tickets please."
If I wore pants, I would have reached for my wallet right now. Dear Celestia! How could I forget my wallet? I blush and step away as Applebloom hands two tickets and a hoof-full of circular bronze tokens to Viola in exchange for a few bits, which Diamond willingly offers up. He turns to us, some more pieces of gold enveloped in the aura of his magical influence.
"Take this, it should get you something to eat if need be."
"Quite the gentlecolt." I chuckle, hopefully masking the fact that I was about to let him pay for it anyways. He shook his head, his shoulders heaving in a shrug.
"Meh, it's not a problem," he says as he wanders off towards his cart. "Now you girls have fun!"
"Thank you, we'll see you in a few hours." I call to him, waving my hoof in the air.
Applebloom hops down from her seat behind the wooden booth and unclips the little gate, allowing us in. "Have a good time now. An' don't forget ta try some apple goodies, 'specially the tarts, They're mah fav'rite." she calls in her thick southern accent. I take a moment to breath in the scent of apple desserts and spiced cider wafting in my direction, and I drink in the sights of delighted families milling about the fair grounds.
It's a nice feeling, to fit in. To finally be one happy family, even if it was just a near-broke mother spending a day with a daughter she had only met yesterday. My eyes meander down to the eager Pegasus trotting beside me, her purple mane ruffling in the breeze and her wings fluttering as if she were about to take flight. She glances up at me, her eyes sparkling.
"Where to first?"
I shrug, weighing the options in a mental scale. "Up to you. Are you hungry yet?"
She shakes her head. "I had an early lunch, so I'll hold off till later."
"Fair enough.... how about some games?" I suggest, tilting my head to a ring of booths.
"Now THAT is a good idea." she starts off in their direction, steering towards the ring-toss. I hand the booth-owner a token and he hands three rings to Viola.
"You have three shots, kid." he grunts.
Her tongue lolling out of her mouth in concentration, Viola held a red ring in tightly in her mouth and I could see her silently calculating her shot. She drew her head back and jerked it forwards, the ring flying from her mouth in a blur of color. I cheer as it hits the middle stake and slowly eases down around it. She takes the green ring in her mouth, contemplating her next move. In an identical motion to the last, she tosses the ring, which comes to rest on the left stake.
"Yay!" she beams. I nudge her with my elbow playfully, giving her an approving nod.
"Not bad."
She clenches her teeth around the purple ring, slowly but surely she moves into position, drawing her head back in one lethargic movement, only to have it snap back, the ring flying from her mouth. As if in slow-motion, the purple ring glides towards the right stake. It seems like a perfect shot. I watch as it collides with the metal target and bounces to the dirt ground. Viola makes a mock pouty face at me, greatly disappointed. I can tell she's bothered by it, but is trying to be tough about it.
"Sorry, kid. It takes three hits. For another token, you can try again."
"Shut up and take my money!" I cry, slamming another bronze token before him. Determination filled me, seeping into every crevice of my mind. I gripped the first red ring in my mouth and tossed it. To my satisfaction, it landed almost perfectly around the left stake. I took the other one up and threw it, once more landing a hit on the center stake.
This is the moment of truth. I clench the purple ring and my eyes lock on the left stake, and in a single fleeting moment it is well on its course to the target.
"Yes!" I grin, pumping my hoof as it lands around the stake.
The booth-keeper gives a light smile and points to a selection of gargantuan stuffed animals. With a great deal of effort, Viola finally picks one, the massive stuffed owl hanging to the right. Her lips parted into a broad smile, which reached from one ear to the other, as she wrapped her forearms around the soft plush and gave it a loving squeeze.
"Thanks, mom!"
"You're welcome." I say. Several minutes pass as we work our way through the stands and booths lining the dirt pathways. Eventually, the rumblings and pangs of hunger that engulf my stomach become too much to bear. "Hey, wanna get a bite to eat now?"
"Thought you'd never ask!" she groans. We snake our way through the growing crowd, our sheer guide being the scent of the delicious treats that lay in wait of our watering mouths. In what could have easily passed for an eternity in my mind, the bakery booth came into view. Cakes topped with apple slices, succulent apple pies, apples dipped in creamy caramel and even tankards of cider were all lined-up for passing ponies to see. A familiar earth pony by the name of Applejack sat behind the counter with a grin.
I paused to admire her blonde-as-straw mane done up in a loop of braids, her freckles lining her cheeks and muzzle and the infamous dress she had worn to the Grand Galloping Gala a few years before. Believe it or not, I had been at the Gala myself when it went awry. My uncle up in Canterlot is in cahoots with some big-shot designer, so he managed to steal some tickets for his favourite niece. It was quite a nice soiree, but truthfully, it wasn't my type of part-ay... it can hardly even pass for one. Nonetheless, seeing one of the very ponies that saved Equestria countless times tending to a humble shop was a sight to see.
"Two apple tarts please." I say, handing her the money.
"Thank ya kindly for yer business." she rasps in her charmingly southern accent. "Here ya go."
I fight the urge for a mug of cider. It is quite tasty, but strong, and the last thing I want is to get tipsy in front of my daughter. I thank her and trot of, Viola holding her tart. The taste was unbelievably sweet, with just a hint of tang that left my taste buds howling for more.
"Applebloom was right!" Viola exclaims, finishing off the tart with one large gulp. "These are really something."
I nod in agreement.
"Hey - look! A flying game!" I gasp, flitting over on my blue wings to another booth. Viola runs after me, and I feel her tug on my tail, pulling away from it. "Wanna play? We still have a couple of tokens."
She looks away, biting her lip anxiously. "Nah, I don't feel like it."
"Aww, come on!" I press. "It looks like fun. Just give it a try, for me? Please?" I plead. She shakes her head, refusing profusely. I'm not willing to accept defeat just yet. I thrust myself into the air, flapping my wings to stay aloft. "C'mon. Fly up to me!"
She folds her wings, shaking her head.
"Come on!" I holler. Uh-oh, looks like I'm drawing a crowd. I can see several ponies trot over, watching curiously as I urge Viola. "My wings are getting tired! Better hurry up!" I chime, a hint of sarcasm tainting my voice.
"No!" Viola yells back.
"WHY NOT?"
"Because..." she babbles, tears rising in her eyes. "Because I CAN'T FLY!" she cries.
A collective gasp rises from the audience, and I can hear the buzz of their fervent chatter. My eyes are as wide as physically possible, yet I feel they would need to expand even more to fully illustrate my shock... and guilt. My jaw drops, only adding to the depiction of my pure surprise. Whoops. And to only further my guilt, I hear several childish laughs erupt from the audience. The fillies and colts are all... laughing at her. The bitter sound of their cold giggles haunted me, boring into my mind, dragging me back down to the living Tartarus that was my school days.
Magenta, Magenta!
Magenta Skies.
She's the most worthless of all pegasi.
She has wings, but she can't fly.
Magenta, Magenta!
Magenta Skies.
Viola gallops away, desperately trying to escape the chant of their cruel laughter. I fly in pursuit of the purple filly, making for the little filly's room. I pause and turn to some of the foals that were laughing, anger evident in my voice. "Leave her alone!" I scream, which silences them immediately. I turn to see Viola vanish into a shack, tears stinging her eyes.
What have I done?