Could Be a...

Chapter 13 – Do for the nothing

There's a strong hint of annoyance to your face as you continue to blankly stare off to the other ponies that sit around you in the train. Even if the second letter was real you still don't understand why you and Twilight have to jump to your hooves and run out the door. If it were up to you, you would have sent another letter back saying you couldn't do it today and that you two would maybe try tomorrow... However, it's not really up to you.

The rumble of the train gets a little stronger as it begins to swing itself around the last mountainy bend before the city. Your thoughts about Celestia and your current predicament slowly start to run from your mind as the sound of tiny hooves banging against the glass come up.

You turn your head to the dark yellow diaper wearing colt just as Twilight starts to pull him away from the window, all the while still holding her expertly crafted baby voice, "Yes Aerolight we are close to the city...But don't bang on the glass anymore ok?" The little colt smiles to the comment as he starts to slow his wiggling bootie covered front hooves.

You shift your eyes to the bright white city coming into view as you start to adjust the heavy bag you and Twilight packed in a hurry.

Twilight picks up on your expression as she gives a little smile, "At least we'll be able to see Violet before we get back on the train."

You think over the comment as you cock your eyes to the little dragon beside you, "Well that's if she got the letter yet."

The comment turn's Spike's head as he proudly points his claw to his chest, "Hey, I have never sent a letter to the wrong place. If she was still at that hotel then she got it." You nod to the comment as he turns his attention to the lavender mare in front of him, "So Twilight, what was Vanhoover like? Do you think it will be cold?"

The mare taps her hoof to her mouth as she begins to think out loud, "Well, we we're there a few months ago and it wasn't that different... Vanhoover is more towards the frozen north so it's most likely going to feel just like Ponyville this time of year."

"OH...Really?" Spike lets out a loud groan as he shifts his attention to the small bag next to him that he begins to open, "Well at least I packed for it."

You watch the little dragon pulling out his books, scarf and beanie for a moment as you slowly drift your eyes to the city you now rapidly near.

Twilight's voice comes up as the train's speed starts to slow down, "It's after Heart Warming eve Spike, there's not going to be any snow in Canterlot; and the wind is not as bad as Ponyville."

"YA, tell that to my drying scales." Spike holds his arm out as he quickly puts on his mittens.

You get a slight smile to the comment as you move your hoof to the long and warm light blue scarf you have around your neck, "Figures Celestia wouldn't want to get her hooves wet in snow."

Twilight rolls her eyes with a slightly giggle smile as the squeal of the train's brakes run through the train car.

As the station starts to come to either side of the train cars windows you begin to stand yourself up like some of the other ponies around you. You respectfully wait as two ponies that were sitting behind you and Twilight starts down the train car's path way, but as they get a little further towards the door you and Twilight stand up.

"Alright Aerolight let's go see grandma." Twilight's words bring a little squeal from the colt as he's scooped up from the train car's seat.

You and Spike follow after the lavender mare as you trot towards the now open door of the train.

As you start out of the door the older chocolate coated stallion wearing a faded blue train conductor’s cap speaks up, "...Enjoy your stay everypony, and welcome to Equestria's capital."

The cool air runs through your coat as you trot from the warm insides of the train, however the cold air is nothing compared to the Ponyville weather you just left and it's actually kind of refreshing.

"Berrr... How far is the house?"

Spike's comment turns Twilight's head as she rolls her eyes, "You know how far it is Spike... Now lets get going."

The streets of Canterlot are not as crowded as they usually are, which is definitely a nice thing, and seeing as how there's no awkward moments of you accidentally knocking into somepony nor are there any snotty ponies that usually give you the once over with their eyes.

Looks like Canterlot ponies aren't as cold resistant... I knew I was a stallion's stallion. The stupid comment holds as a little gust of wind sends a shiver through your coat, although before the wind can make any real affect on you, you turn down the familiar back road.

"Finally..." Spike still holds his claws to his arms as he starts to pick his speed up towards the two story stone house at the end of the road.

You bring your trot a little more ahead of the group as you move to knock at the door. The sound of your hoof to the door brings up a feminine voice , “Coming..."

It only takes a few seconds for the familiar white coated mare to come to the door as she greets you four with a wide and warm smile, "Well that was fast..."

You give a little smile as you nod to the comment, "Well you know how Twilight is, always ready to jump when Celestia says so."

The comment brings a friendly giggle from the mare as Velvet rolls her hoof and turns her attention to the little colt in Twilight's hold, "Oh... Look how big you've gotten!" She quickly takes a step back from the door as she speaks up, "Come in come in, get out of the cold."

You let Twilight and Aerolight in before you as you trot in behind the lavender mare, however as you four come into the living room your eyes turn to an unfamiliar older light cream coated and gold orangey maned mare sitting on one couch.

The mare turns her eyes to the ponies coming into the room as she puts her hot tea cup down, "Why is that little Twilight?" Her voice has an elegant tone to it, but it doesn't really sound as friendly as Rarity's.

Either way you give a friendly smile as you continue to listen to the older mare as she turns her attention to you, "Oh, and is this the lucky stallion?"

Twilight brings her voice up Velvet starts to take Aerolight from her hold, "Hello Lucy."

The mare nods to the comment as she turns to Velvet as she sits back down to the couch with the little colt now in her hold, "Oh, is this Violet?" Lucy gives an uppity little laugh as she wiggles her hoof to Aerolight, "...You know Twilight your mother was telling me that she gave Violet that mood necklace from Unicorn Range..." She causally directs her hoof to the light gold glowing amulet around her neck as she continues, "They are all the craze right now, so I know I had to get one for my dear friend."

Velvet gives a little giggle to the comment as she nods, "Yes, um...But this is Aerolight, Violet is my grand daughter."

The light cream coated mare blinks to the comment as she gives a little gasp and turns back to Twilight, "OH, i'm so sorry I didn't know you had another since the wedding. How old is little Violet anyways?"

Twilight shrugs a little as she speaks up, "She is almost six now."

The number again turns the mares face as she nods, "Oh six? Well I would guess she's no filly then-...but haven't you only been married for five years?" The mare squints her eyes as she runs her gaze over you and Twilight a little judgmental.

Despite the mare's friendly tone you now start to lose your smile as you and Twilight shift a little to the comment. But Twilight brings her voice up as she answers the question, "Well yes, we have."

"Hm..." The mare brings a smile to her face as she looks to Velvet, "Well I should get going, pleasure catching up with you dear... I hope you'll come to our dinner party this evening."

Velvet brings a wide smile as she taps the little colt's flank that sits next to her, "OH I don't think i'll be able to make it today."

The mare is silent for a moment but she gives a respectful nod as she continues, "I understand..." She turns to you and Twilight as she stands up, "Well nice too see you two..." She shifts her eyes to you as she continues to talk, "You both don't look like you've aged a bit since your wedding."

You give a friendly nod as you think to yourself, I have no idea who you are.... You quickly push the thought out of your mind as you remember the fact that you were hungover for most of your own wedding.

"Well goodbye Twilight." With the comment the mare starts her trot out of the door.

As the door closes Twilight brings her voice up, "Mom if you and Dad are busy we can-..."

Velvet's eyes widen as she wraps her front hooves around the dark cream yellow colt, "OH no you don't, I can't stand attending all these preppy parties. I would much rather spend my time with somepony else." She happily pokes her hoof to Aerolights snout as the little colt sparks up his hooves with a happy baby squeal.

Twilight nods to the comment as she sparks her horn up, "Alright... Well I packed all of the things you would need..." Her magic doesn't come from the bag as she floats it over to the floor next to the couch as she continues her voice, "...I have a list of how to get him to eat, don't try and give him any milk other than what I packed because he won't drink it."

The comment turns Velvet's head as she looks over the heavy looking bag, "Aww, is he a nurser?"

A faint sigh comes from Twilight as she sheepishly nods her head.

Her nod brings Velvet's voice up a little high pitched as the mare looks over the lavender mare in front of her with a loving smile, "Shining was to..." She turns her eyes to you as she raises her hoof, "Stop making my little Twilight grow up so fast."

You give a little chuckle to the comment as you just shrug it off with a thought, ponies growing up to fast? Ya! I know how you feel Velvet.

Spike quickly takes a step forward as he claims the slightly quiet moment, "I'm not growing up to fast!"

Velvet gives a little giggle as she looks over the little dragon, "Of course not my little Spike." As her comment ends she turns her head back to you and Twilight as she speaks up, "So is Violet stopping by?"

You look back to the door as Twilight brings her voice up, "We sent her a letter but I-..."

A knock at the door brings your already slightly turned body into action as you trot towards the door to open it.

As you do you get a wide smile as you almost pull the light purple coated and dark maned mare in with a hug as you speak up, "How's school sweetie?"

Violet give a faint wheezing laugh as she prys herself from your hug to bring her hooves up.

However, the sight of the light purple mare has made the house a little louder as Aerolight rings out a happy little baby cry followed by Twilight's own embrace and hello.

Velvet just looks on as she brings her voice up, "Oh good looks like you will be able to see Nightlight when he gets back..." Her hoof comes up as she squints her eyes, "Seeing as how you haven't stopped by the whole time you've been in the city."

Violet's ears flatten as she sheepishly brings her hooves up.

"School work huh? Velvet perks her head up as she continues, "Of course."

You finally close the door as you begin to give the outside one more look, "So no Sparky huh?"

Violet shakes her head as she hooves out her reply.

But the answer brings a little chuckle to you as you repeat it, "He is teaching after class?" You blink to the comment as you try to think it over. However Twilight brings her own voice up, "You know we're going to Vanhoover for a few days right?"

Violet nods her head as the lavender mare continues, "Okay, well while we're gone just make sure you stop by to check on your brother okay?"

Again Violet nods her head, but Twilight's comment has brought Velvet's up as she rolls her hoof to it, "Check on him?..." She turns her head to Aerolight as a baby like tone comes over her, "I think somepony forgot who raised her."

Twilight gives a little giggle to the comment but she holds to her own planned out speech as she continues down her mental list, "...Also you should wear something because it does get cold in Canterlot." Her hoof rolls over the young mare's exposed coat and hooves with nothing but the now light orange glowing mood amulet on as her comment's continue, "...And make sure you keep your windows shut at night."

Violet's head slowly lowers as she continues to just hoove out the words, yes mom.

Twilight gives a little giggle as she embraces the young mare with another warm hug, but she's forced to break it as she turns to you and Spike with a sigh, "Well we need to get back to the train or we'll have to wait until tonight."

You hesitate for a moment but you eventually move back to the door as you give out one last comment to Violet, "You two didn't release anything this time did you?"

Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she just shakes her head.

The fact that you annoyed her brings a sense of fatherly pride as you open the door for Spike and Twilight with one last comment to Violet, "Love you Violet."

The young mare brings her right hoof up to her chest as she does a quick circular motion and then points to you and Twilight.

With the last gesture you follow the lavender mare out of the door.

The sound of the door closing brings Velvet's voice up as she stands for a moment, "You still have about a month of school left right?"

Violet nods to the comment as the older mare gets a smile, "Well then you can spare today when you're done with school right?"

Violet forces her hooves up as she answers the question.

"OH you're done for the day? Well then you should stay, i'll make lunch." With her comment Velvet brings her trot up as she starts towards the kitchen.

A silent sigh comes up from the young mare as she turns her attention to the happily smiling colt still sitting on the couch.

The smile of the little colt brings Violet’s trot up as she moves to sit next to her little brother.

End of chapter 13