There is a saying that says one can only change if they truly desire to; to put ones old life aside and start anew, now that is different
The night slowly came to a close and none of the raiders came looking for me. "They must think I'm dead.” I thought to myself, it was probably for the best anyway. As we finished singing the Heart Carol, I looked down at Dusty, who, to her credit was being very brave and strong despite all that had befallen her that night.
"Good bye mommy, good bye daddy; you will always be in my heart. I have made a new friend tonight and even though I thought he was one of those bad ponies, he`s really just a big softy at heart.” She said as she looked first to the grave then to me with a single tear and a wide smile.
I took her in my hooves and gave her a hug and noogie. "Softy huh? I'll show you a softy!” I said as I started to tickle her ribs.
Her laughter filled the cold night air as unknown to us survivors from the town surrounded us in shock. What they saw was me blowing raspberries into her belly as she flailed and laughed hysterically almost in tears. That was until she formed a snowball with her magic and smashed it on my head. At first the towns’ ponies were shocked; some reached for weapons while others, including a few other foals joined in the fun lightening a very dark night.
"AHEM!" we were startled out of our fun when a dark blue stallion interrupted us; "As cute as this is, I must insist this stop now so we can deal with this raider scum!"
Letting Dusty up, I started going for my blade but was stopped as Dusty stood in between us puffed out her chest and said, "He's not scum, Two-bit! He's my friend! He even helped bury my mommy and daddy, see?” She gestured towards the graves. Two-bit looked to where she pointed and sighed.
"Dusty, he's a Raider."
"No he ain't, he's a good pony! Sure, he may have been bad but he said he wants to be good now. Ain't Heartswarming Eve supposed to be about forgiving bad and making new friends ,Two-bit? That's what mummy used to say!"
Two-bit looked shocked; he looked to me then to Dusty and then to the other ponies gathered around. There were a few mutterings about hanging me which I knew I deserved. I saw a single tear run down Two bit’s cheek as he spoke.
"Sir, I can see how much Dusty likes you, and seeing as you did in fact help her bury her parents, as the new acting mayor of this town, I place Dusty in your care. The house is yours as well, welcome to Bitter Springs Manetana. If anypony tries to touch this pony, they will deal with me. GOT IT?" He shouted to the crowd. "Oh, and mister, Im keeping an eye on you, and if your friends come back, do protect her, will you?"
With that I not only had a new house, town, and friend; I now had a daughter as well. At the words of Two-bit Dusty jumped on to my back and tightly hugged my neck.
...
It had been three days since Heartswarming Day and as I awoke on New Year’s Eve day I groggily got up and started my new morning routine of waking up my daughter; yeah, it took some getting used to calling her that. At first she was upset about it and the hate of that night finally took over on Heartswarming Day with her giving me the much deserved hate. I sat there as she yelled and screamed at me, even going as far as to punch me in the ribs; for such a young filly it actually hurt, a lot. To my credit I took it all, just taking what I knew I deserved until she let up and cried into my coat.
The morning of New Year’s Day however was filled with laughing and her saying she loved me and was happy I was with her. As I got her up she swatted at me with a hoof playfully as she rolled over in her bed; I simply let her get a few more minutes of sleep while I made breakfast. Nothing said healthy like two hundred year old food and coffee. The smell of food finally drew her out of bed and she looked outside at the freshly fallen snow and squee'd, trotting to the table.
"It snowed again dad! Can I go play with Ace and Wild Card! can I, can I?"
"Only after you eat and get dressed, Dusty. It's cold out and you don't want to get sick do you?" It felt weird acting like a parent for the first day or so, but I finally got the hang of it. I sat in my chair across from her as she shoveled food into her mouth, I let out a chuckle at the sight; for one so small she really had grown up since that night as I had so many years ago. When she finished she levitated her bowl to the sink and washed it out, then she went straight to her room and got dressed, as did I. Today was a big day for us and we would be helping prepare for the bonfire later that night.
After about an hour we stepped into the cold morning air and I was immediately met with a magic driven snowball to the face, followed by another. Looking to Dusty I tackled her and started tickling her until she relented and said she gave, "Victory is mine!" I thought as I let her up. In a flash she was off running to find her friends. I let her go and set off for town hall to meet up with Two-bit. I wanted to talk to him about the town`s defenses and see about possibly joining the town guard, also he was in charge of the festivities that night as well
Totting past the few open shops I was wished happy New Year by a few and was shot evil looks by others, but no pony tried to touch me due to not only being Duty’s guardian, but also the warning Two-bit had given. Totting through the doors of town hall I was greeted by Peach Rose the receptionist as I entered the main lobby to the building.
"Please take a seat Razor the mayor will be with you shortly. Would you like a cup of coffee while you wait?"
"Yes please Peach thatd be great thank you. Hows your family doing?"
"Oh Rivet is fine, he keeps asking if he can come over and spend the night at your house, he seems to have taken a liking to Dusty; I find it actually kind of cute *ahem your kind of cute yourself ahem* Anyway here`s your coffee." She blushed as she said the last part.
Sure she was cute, the way her peach and red mane had a tuft that never quite sat right, or the way she blushed whenever we were around each other and her.....cutie mark...yeh cutie mark that’s it. Ok fine I liked her and she liked me are you happy now!
"Say, Peach are you doing anything tonight?"
"Uhm, no..no I`m not; why?"
"Oh...no reason I was just wondering if.. maybe... possibly you wanted to uhm.. you know.. go to the bonfire with me.....er and Dusty?"
"A...are you asking me out on...a date Razor?"
"I....uhm that is, I mean it is New Year’s Eve an....mhhmmm"
As I fumbled for my words she kissed me and said yes. I leaned into the kiss as she moaned into my muzzle, when she broke the kiss she was as red as an apple and stammered a few words incoherently as she continued turning red.
"I...uhm..I’ll see you later tonight Razor." She said still blushing; then she winked at me as the mayor`s door opened.
...
"REALLY; RIVET IS GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT! *squee*"
"Yeh and so is his mom too"
"AWWWWWW, you like her dont you dad; Dont lie."
"Maybe; a little I guess"
"Am I going to get a new mommy; and omygoshohmygoshomygosh A BROTHER!"
"Now Dusty this is only a date; nothing serious yet ok"
"But I came from a date! Mommy used to tell me that all the time! Daddy would just hit himself in the head with a hoof when she told me." Annnnd what did I do during and after her story you ask? The table got a nice spay of hot coffee from my mouth and I facehooved. After cleaning up the table and shaking off what had just happened it was time to go to town square for the bonfire.
...
"There you two are; I was wondering when you both would get here." Peach winked at me as she said that, making me almost go weak at the knees; seeing this she trotted up to me and pecked my cheek, I of course being the bumbling fool I was blushed and turned several shades of red. As the fire was started and songs began both Dusty and Rivet snuck to the front to keep warm; I was already plenty warm however.
"How about we let the kids spend the night with Apple Blossom and her family tonight? We don`t want to keep them up now do we?" Peach said as we kissed by the firelight. This truly was going to be a happy new year.
THE END: FOR NOW; *WINK.*
Author's Note
My contest entry for the New Years story contest. And yes I`m going to get to the good stuff in a bit lol
