One's Responsibility to Their Family

“Sir, your seven o’ clock has arrived.”

“Bring them in.” Richard stood up from behind his desk as the doors opened. He softly smiled as a girl with pink hair bounced into the room and jumped onto his desk. “Hello there. Aren’t you a little young for being in a business man’s office?”

The desk moaned slightly as the girl went to sitting on it, her legs now dangling as she grinned up at him. “Well you see sir, only a child could come up with the next in party themed weaponry. Now just listen real quick as-”

“Pinkie, I didn’t let you come just to bother Mr. Cypher.” Richard chuckled as he turned his head to the woman who entered in a long white dress. “Mr. Cypher, it is a pleasure.”

Richard felt his breath catch as he remembered simpler times, times when he would be able to enjoy a woman of such a caliber. For a moment he wondered if she had any tan lines, but quickly shook the image of her out of his mind. Richard regained his composure as he smiled once more at her. “As it is for me as well, and please, call me Richard.”

“Fluttershy said you’d paused for a moment when you met her as well. Do you have the same problems with woman as your grandson Nathaniel supposedly does?” Celestia smirked with the man as he came out from behind the table in a fine suit.

“Not quite. I have experienced so many woman in my life, but few compare to the beauties that I seem to be meeting now. It catches me a little off guard I suppose.” Richard gently took Celestia’s hand in a handshake, being surprised at how much strength the woman gave back to the gesture.

“And yet he didn’t even flinch when I came in.” Pinkie stuck her tongue out as the man turned to her. “I don’t mind of course. I think I look cute as a button and breasts would just get in the way. Could you imagine me jumping around like I do with Fluttershy’s knockers? I’d be unconscious most of the time.” Pinkie let out a chuckle as she jumped off of the desk and started bouncing.

“Pinkie.” Celestia put a hand on Pinkie’s shoulder stopping her instantly. “I want to talk to Richard privately. Besides, didn’t you say that the whole purpose for you coming was to meet Nathaniel?”

Pinkie gasped as she grabbed Richard’s shoulders and got way too close. “Where is Nathaniel? I must find out who this stranger everyone keeps talking about is.” Pinkie was put to the side by Richard as he shook his head, smiling.

“Nathaniel should be getting ready to face the day right about now. That would place him in his room. However,” He said as he grabbed onto Pinkie’s collar, “you’ll need something if you want to roam the grounds.” He reached back into his desk and grabbed two gold pins that said Cypher on them. “Make sure the staff sees these and you’ll be aloud to go anywhere you wish without worry.”

“Thank you Ri- Ow!” Pinkie rubbed her chest as she said, “Careful there. I don’t need them becoming even flatter.” Pinkie bounced off as Richard chuckled at the girl.

Celestia shook her head as Pinkie ran off. “I swear she isn’t always like this, she’s just a little excited.”

“I’m an old man Celestia. The energy of the youth is always refreshing, especially with a grandson like Nathaniel about.” Richard sighed as he looked at a photo on his desk.

“If you don’t mind, can I start my questions with why you are willing to see me? I told you what I would be talking to you about, so why say yes to me when you told so many others no?” Celestia looked at him in a sideways glance as she looked out to the courtyard.

Richard sighed as he put the picture of his family face down. “Nathaniel is a serious boy. His father was a paranoid man, so from a young age Nathaniel was taught not to speak up, to be the perfect advisor who would never betray Mark. This also translated to him not speaking up to his peers, so your girl’s are some of the first woman he has ever talked to while not in a formal or stressed situation. Add how capable and remarkable they are, and I will simply say they have caught my eye and I wish for them to become closer to the family. Do you understand?” Richard now stood beside Celestia, looking out to the garden, wishing for the times when he could enjoy the games he now played.

Celestia gave a weak smile as she turned back for the chair across from the desk. “The power of those who lead. To dictate and change those below them and attempt to tempt fate and control the fates. How tragic such a fate, to attempt to do the impossible.”

Richard sat back down himself, smiling at Celestia. “Why do you think I seek help then? Especially from a young and beautiful woman such as yourself.”

Celestia smirked at him. “I think you over exaggerate my youth.”

“So thirty instead of twenty five?”

Celestia glanced at the rising sun for a moment. “Yeah, something like that. Now,” Celestia’s voice growing calm, losing the playful touch, “about your past.”

======++++++======

Nathaniel stretched as he got up from his bed. It may have been the weekend, but Nathaniel was still up at seven o’ clock regardless of the possibility of sleeping in. He slipped out of his pajamas and put on a pair of casual jeans and a red polo shirt, slipping them over his thin and toned body.

Nathaniel yawned as he slipped into his bathroom and started brushing his teeth. Brush, gargle, spit, notice the pink haired girl, rinse tooth- Nathaniel spun around and delivered a kick straight into the intruder’s stomach before shoving her against the wall. He was raising his fist when he noticed a golden glint on her chest.

He let go of the girl before checking her for injuries. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realized you were a guest. I thought you may have been an enemy of the family seeing as you simply decided to sneak into my bathroom without announcing yourself! Now why are you here?”

The girl gave him a big smile as she said, “To see you silly. I decided that a little fright might get you out of that stuffed up shell I’ve heard about and get you to have some fun.”

Nathaniel gave her a deadpan stare as he sighed. “Wrong day for that. Now if you will get out of my way, I have things to get prepared for.”

Nathaniel started to leave his room as he heard a thumping behind him. He turned around to the girl who was now bouncing. “Can I know what you’re up to?”

Nathaniel pinched the brow of his nose. “Alright, but I need to know your name. I can’t just call you guest all day. I’m Nathaniel.”

“And I am Pinkie.” Pinkie switched from her high pitch to attempting a deep impression of Nathaniel. “Now let’s get going.”

“Alright, I suppose you can follow me while I make sure the house is ready for my brother’s return.” Nathaniel didn’t even smile as he led Pinkie down the hall. He stayed quiet, deep in thought as Pinkie started a low hum that grew louder as they continued along. “Pinkie, what is it?”

“Well, I’m your guest and I came to see you specifically. Isn’t there an etiquette thing about entertaining one’s guests, or I don’t know, at least talking to them?” Pinkie gave him a large grin as Nathaniel opened a door.

“I don’t really have time for you today Pinkie, but the kitchen might.” Nathaniel allowed a slight smile to cross his face as Pinkie’s jaw dropped at the large tiled room. Nathaniel gave a few of the cooks instructions as Pinkie ran in and started picking up different ingredients. “And one last thing. I need you to keep her out of my hair. Mark is coming back and you know how he likes things.”

Nathaniel ducked out of the kitchen as he saw Pinkie grab a mixing bowl. That should buy me some time. He saw one of Mark’s short skirted maids and beckoned her over. “Allow everyone to know that Mark is coming back today. However, he wishes no service today and would instead like a performance. He expects the flight to have left him spent. Do you understand?”

The maid wrapped her arms around Nathaniel as he tensed up. “I understand that what I’ve been waiting for for these past weeks was just taken from me and now I’ll be,” the girl whispered the last word into Nathaniel’s ear, “unsatisfied.”

Nathaniel shrugged the girl off violently as his face turned a bright red. “As I have told you and the two others that Mark employs, I am not interested.” Nathaniel stopped for a moment as the girl huffed.

“Just because you’re second in line doesn’t mean you have to be some sort of hard ass. In fact, I would imagine that would give you more privileges in your actions.” The last words came as a whisper as Nathaniel had turned back to her. The glare got her to scurry off as she said, “I will notify the other two immediately.”

“Wait!” The girl turned back to Nathaniel. “Is Kahlan awake?”

The maid looked down as she bit her lip. “I’m sorry sir, but no. She developed a bad fever recently and is currently bedridden.”

Nathaniel grit his teeth before saying, “I understand. Do not disturb her and get on with your tasks.”

Nathaniel sighed to himself as he felt his emotions continue to rise. Maybe checking on Fluttershy and a quick workout will ease my mind. Nathaniel sighed as he set out into the North garden to look for the new gardener.

“Nathaniel!” Fluttershy gave him a small wave as he turned to her and walked over.

“Do you know where any roses are? Mark likes to have a fresh bouquet to give to his servants and I need to send them to the airport within two hours time if they’ll arrive when he wants them fresh.” Nathaniel gave her a small smile as Fluttershy nodded and was only gone for a matter of minutes before coming back with the flowers.

“Roses brought by a rose?” Fluttershy chuckled slightly as Nathaniel looked down and blushed.

“Please don’t tease me about my horrible compliments. I don’t need them rubbed in any further.” Nathaniel sighed as he slowly trudged away. “I’ll be in the next clearing if you need me, but I need a work out to clear my head.”

Fluttershy smiled as Nathaniel left. She was happy the two were able to talk now, even if they were only in brief moments like this. Fluttershy started humming to herself before it was abruptly cut off by a small hand. “Herk!”

Pinkie came out of the bush Fluttershy had been pruning, part of her hair cut before the hole closed in on itself. She kept her voice a low whisper as she asked, “Where is Nathaniel?” Pinkie nodded as Fluttershy pointed in the direction of the clearing. With a finger held up to her mouth, Pinkie slowly moved along. She was quite surprised, and a bit pleased, by what she found.

“Wow! Since when have you been actually attractive?”

Nathaniel looked up at Pinkie who was staring down at him. He hopped up from his pushups and reached for his shirt as he said, “Thanks, I suppose. I thought you were going to bake something?”

“I was, but then you left. I know you’re all busy and such, but I came to hang out with you. You could at least acknowledge that!” Pinkie huffed as she put her fists onto her hips. Nathaniel looked down and grabbed one of his arms.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, but I just can’t deal with you today. However, if you could help me with some of the things I need to take care of I can possibly make some time to hang out with you afterwards, though I give no promises.” Nathaniel held his hand out and Pinkie furiously shook it.

“Of course I’ll help. A friend of my friends is a friend of mine.”

Nathaniel bent over as he scowled. “What do you mean friend of a friend? Also, hold these. I’ll be wanting you to give them to someone later.” Nathaniel gave Pinkie the flowers as he led her out of the gardens.

“Well you see.” Pinkie stopped for a moment to pull her leg behind her head while she showed off a white anklet with a familiar sun emblazoned on it. “I am a part of an organization of people out to study this world and figure out just how much my race has to gain from it.”

Nathaniel gave a slight chuckle as he kept walking. “Oh yeah, and what happens if we don’t have anything you want?”

“Well then we will smash your impudent world.”

Crack!

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes for a moment as he heard the noise and turned to Pinkie who ran past him. “Pinkie, what happened?”

“Oh nothing, but do you know where I can find some tape?” Pinkie danced from one foot to the other as Nathaniel eyed her curiously and led her to a supply closet. As Pinkie took the tape she tried to keep her back between Nathaniel and her hands. Nathaniel shook his head as he waited, trying to give Pinkie a chance.

However, that was when Pinkie turned around with bandaged roses. They had their stems snapped in the middle, and the tape just made the damage worse by making the bend from the break even more noticeable. Nathaniel’s mouth was dry as he said, “What happened Pinkie?”

Pinkie looked down for a brief moment before looking back up and flashing him a small, nervous smile. “I may have gotten a little too excited about blowing up your world.” Pinkie chuckled nervously as Nathaniel started to shake as he took the flowers. “See, they’re fi-” Pinkie took a step back as she felt her cheek sting. She saw a few petals falling as the top halves of the roses fell to the ground. “Na- Nathaniel?”

“Get out.” Nathaniel walked past Pinkie who grabbed his arm.

“Nathaniel I’m sorry! Maybe I can help you fix them?” Pinkie flinched as Nathaniel turned back to her. He spent a moment watching Pinkie look up at him with a small smile, but her eyes still watched his arms. He shoved her away as he walked farther down the hall.

“I have work to do Pinkie, and you have been nothing but a bother. Leave, or at least return to my father, but I give no promises as to what I will do if you continue to bother me or harm my progress again. Now leave me be!” Nathaniel froze as Pinkie spoke again.

“But what about the others? Their friends are my friends.”

Nathaniel turned back to Pinkie for a moment, his mouth open to speak further before he simply walked away. Pinkie slowly walked in the opposite direction, trying to figure out why she had failed so miserably like she had so many other times with these humans.