The Bubbly Mare

2, 9
"Mother's Love"

It was a day later, mid-afternoon.

Derpy walked side-by-side to town with Amethyst Star, the older filly pushing Dinky in a stroller. Mommy would have picked Derpy up a day later, but given what happened the night before she was coming home early. Her mommy stayed back at the Apple house... having a word with Granny Smith. It was taking a long time, and started to get pretty loud, so they left. Applejack and Big Mac were outside doing chores, as usual... the colt and filly each waved as they passed. Though it was a warmer afternoon than the evening before Derpy still wore her scarf, cleaned with care by Granny Smith.

The two stayed quiet for most of the walk... just out enjoy the autumn colors. It was a lot like when Applejack and Derpy were out the day before, only this time the Derpy did a lot more thinking. She wasn't exactly happy to be going home early, but she was fine being quiet, up until a question popped into her mind:

"Is Mommy mad at Granny Smith?"

Amethyst, who had been trying to keep a light expression, continued to do so while talking slowly and soothingly to the filly:

"She's not mad, Derpy. She's just... concerned about what happened to you."

"Oh..." Derpy took a sudden interest in her hooves as she hopped along. "She's coming home tonight?"

The foalsitter smiled:

"Of course! ...but she's probably going to be pretty tired. I'm going to make pancakes for dinner, with lots of maple syrup. Sounds like something you might enjoy, huh?"

Derpy nodded rapidly, but then stopped... scowling a bit, thinking:

"Since the weekend isn't over quite yet maybe can I have Applejack for dinner?"

Amethyst bit her lip.

"I... can't make that decision. There's a good chance, um... your mom's just going to want to be with just you and Dinky tonight. That's not so bad, though, right?"

Again, Derpy nodded rapidly.

"Glad you see things that way." Amethyst smiled. "Besides, it looks like you might have something special to show your friends at school on Monday. That's gotta be exciting! Tell me about it."

Derpy stopped dead in her tracks.

"Huh? What're you taking about?"

Amethyst halted, turning to face the filly. Her face was blank as she answered:

"Really now, Derpy? Your Cutie Mark, silly!"

"Oh!" They resumed walking. "Applejack told me I'm nice and bubbly, and... I guess I am!"

Derpy knew the whole sequence leading up to her getting her Cutie Mark was a bit more complicated than that... quite a bit. It was more of a feeling to her, hard to explain, but for some ponies... that's exactly how it ends up.

"You are nice and bubbly," Amethyst said, nodding. "That's a wonderful Cutie Mark. It says so much about you!"

Derpy's eyes drifted to her foalsitter's Mark.

"You've got a neat Cutie Mark, too, Amethyst!"

Amethyst glanced down at the three diamonds emblazoned on her flank and chuckled.

"Yeah, well... diamonds are pretty special kid."

"Just like Mommy!"

Again, Amethyst smiled... nearly putting her face in her hoof. She shook her head as she answered:

"Oh, boy... Derpy, think of it this way -- you're your mommy's diamond, and so is Dinky. She loves you so very much. When I got this I'd realized I could take care of more than just one foal at a time... after all, we're all special to somepony. In a few years, if she isn't already... Dinky will seem pretty special to you, too."

Derpy smiled. She had no idea how Amethyst could guess she usually didn't think of Dinky as anything other than a noisy foal (truth was that it was written on her face every time Dinky took attention away or cried for too long), but it was neat to have a pony around who could figure things out so easily.

The two had just entered Ponyville. Foals were out having fun, but even though they had to pass Sugarcube Corner to get home (and Fluttershy's cottage, not that Derpy noticed)... they ran into only a few of Derpy's schoolmates. They were all busy, running off, playing, doing their own things.

"Hi Derpy!" one of them said, an earth pony with a bright red mane who would shortly become Twist's older brother.

In response Derpy smiled and nodded, but didn't say anything... or make eye contact. If anything, the little pegasus sped up as the colt's friends approached, all chattering at once. Amethyst peered over her shoulder only and noticed Derpy biting her lip. The more excited the group got the quicker she trotted away... as if the sound of their all voices together was too much. Though Derpy had her Cutie Mark now, not one of the four colts noticed... and it was apparent Derpy didn't want to stick around to tell them. Amethyst made a mental note of this to discuss with Diamond later. Just as they were turning the corner, she asked:

"Hey, don't you want to show them your Cutie Mark? It's pretty cool!"

The pegasus looked past the corner, continuing to bite down on her lip. She looked up at the foalsitter, awkwardly twisting her forehooves against the cobblestones... not quite making eye-contact:

"I don't know..."

Amethyst forced a smile, giving Derpy a light hug.

"It's okay, Derpy." Amethyst glanced past the corner at the colts, then down at Derpy... who smiled and swayed by the stroller. Poor thing might have trouble when she gets older.

* * *

The afternoon was pretty boring once they got home. Amethyst spent most of her time cleaning house and watching Dinky. Rather than being inside and bored (and aggravated by all the noise of cleaning and crying), Derpy spent most of the time out on her swing. It felt nice to have the wind blowing through her mane, even though it was a pretty cool day. Amethyst came out once in a while to see how she was doing.

"Wow, you are so high up! Keep that up and maybe you'll take off like a Wonderbolt!"

This, of course, encouraged the little pegasus to keep kicking her legs as hard as she could. Little did she know Amethyst was well aware of how disappointed she was be coming home from Applejack's so early. Problem was she didn't understand why she had to leave, just that it's what Mommy said. This was a good way at least for her to get that out of her system.

Amethyst eventually stopped checking, but that was okay. Derpy would be outside for a while yet. It was only when she was alone for long enough that she began to think about how much she missed the Apples... especially Applejack. Still, higher and higher she swung, to the point she thought she was going to fly over the branch... too bad Amethyst didn't come out to see it. Closer and closer she went, though she never -quite- made it... but that didn't stop her from trying. Little did Derpy know that the swing had been carefully made so that could never happen.

On the way up Derpy noticed something out of the corner of her eye... Mommy. She was far down the road, so far Derpy saw her before she could see Derpy. It didn't help that Mommy's head was down. When she came close enough to see the little filly swinging so freely, she watched for a moment, and then:

"Slow it down some, Sweetie. You're going way too high!"

The filly immediately began to kick lighter and lighter, looking over at Mommy... watching her go inside without another word. That was strange. Mommy usually said hi. Something didn't feel right about being outside now, especially since she was home. Derpy jumped off and went in, following closely...

* * *

Mommy was standing by the couch in their living room... her head down.

Derpy smiled as she passed Amethyst in the kitchen, Dinky in a high chair right beside her... quietly being fed. The filly approached slowly. Mommy stood more quietly than she would coming home from what she calls a "busy night" at the Horte Cuisine. Coming in closer the filly could see that something else was wrong... she saw wet, red eyes.

"Mommy?"

Diamond looked up at her. Despite the misty, dark eyes she still smiled.

"Hi Sweetie."

Derpy got up to her and leaned in, giving her a hug. She was hugged back, more lightly than what Derpy was used to. The two made eye contact.

"Did I do something bad?"

Sitting down, the mare looked at Derpy and smiled:

"No, no Sweetie... Mommy just has some thinking to do. Grown-up stuff." She rubbed her eyes, letting out a sigh. "Why don't you go back in the yard and play? Amethyst will call you when dinner is ready..." She shook her hoof. "... and remember not too high on that swing."

Hearing this Derpy scowled. She wanted to be around Mommy, especially now that she'd been crying. Mommy almost never cried. If not Mommy than at least some pony she could have fun with. Derpy's scowl faded for a moment:

"Can I go back to Sweet Apple Acres and play with-"

"No, Derpy, you may not!" The older mare sighed, again rubbing her temples. "I mean, not now, Sweetie. It's much too far away and dinner will be ready soon. If you're good Mommy will take you to the Sugarcube Corner for desert. Okay?"

Derpy felt herself grimacing. She couldn't help it. Mommy looked at her, hard... her face didn't change, even though Derpy could tell she knew how she felt. Mommy didn't stare into her eyes if she didn't understand. That meant she meant it, and it always made Derpy very uncomfortable.

"Okay..." The filly got up, head down... walking towards the door.

She was almost there when she heard Mommy's voice. "Derpy?"

The filly stopped and turned to see her smiling.

"Uh-huh?"

"I really like your Cutie Mark, Sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

Derpy felt herself smiling big.

"Thanks!"

"We'll have to have a Cute-ceañera soon..." Mommy stretched, winking at her daughter. "Right now just go out and play. You can tell me all about it tonight."

"Okee!"

Derpy trotted back outside. She would've been disappointed by the day and not being able to spend time around Mommy or Applejack, but she had been given something to look forward to now. That was all she could think about.

* * *

After some more time on the swing, followed by an early dinner of pancakes (with not only maple syrup but also whipped cream), Derpy left with Mommy for Sugarcube Corner. It was just as the sun was going down, and it was just Derpy and Mommy this time. Dinky stayed at home with Amethyst.

The evening was very quiet. All that could be heard, other than crickets and the breeze, was the sound of their hoof steps... Derpy giggled and trotted lively, looking back at her mother who smiled at her... little did Derpy know how happy she was to see her daughter having a good time. The only thing Derpy noticed as a bit unusual was how she seemed to be going a lot faster than Mommy, but that was okay... she knew Mommy was right behind her, always. This was so exciting.

When they got to the corner the place was practically empty. It appeared to be just Mr. Cake tonight. Mommy nodded at him, and he replied:

"Well hey there! What'll it be tonight?"

There was a moment of silence. It was then that Derpy realized Mommy was looking at her. Mr. Cake too.

"We're here for you, Sweetie," Mommy said. "Please tell him what you would like."

Derpy had no problem doing that in this familiar setting:

"Strawberry ice cream with a chocolate muffin, please, Mr. Cake!"

Mr. Cake smiled.

"Coming right up, Derpy! And for you... um, Mrs. Hooves?"

"Oh, it's Ms. Hooves and you can just call me Diamond. I'll just have some plain vanilla soft serve. Whatever a modest serving is." Mommy began to look around. "Wow, this place is huge! Never really been in here before. Heard about it, though..."

"Good things, I hope!"

Mommy smiled and nodded, and so did Derpy when she realized Mr. Cake glanced at her, too.

"Applejack and me come in here almost every week!"

Mommy patted Derpy on the back. They looked at each other as Mr. Cake scribbled a note.

"Well, I have your order here. Pinkie will be right out with it... she's my little helper for the evening. Please feel free to sit down wherever you like!"

Derpy selected a booth... little did Mommy know, unless it was occupied, it was same booth she and Applejack took each time they visited -- the one furthest to the left, against the wall. She felt secure there.

The two got settled in fairly quickly. Mommy stretched out in the comfy seat... it was surprisingly roomy.

Pinkie Pie came out from the back quickly with the ice cream and a muffin. She somehow always managed to bounce so lively yet keep everything on the tray perfectly in place. Derpy was just getting ready to start talking about the movie she and Applejack saw when Pinkie approached. The little filly placed their order on the table, noticing something different from the last time she saw Derpy:

"Hey, hey! You got your Cutie Mark!"

Derpy looked down at her Mark and grinned.

"Uh-huh!"

"This I gotta hear!" Pinkie turned to the counter. "Oh! Oh! Can I Mr. Cake?"

"Sure!" Mr. Cake smiled. "Provided you're not disturbing Diamond or Derpy, that is."

"Of course not!" Mommy said, patting the empty edge of the table. "Are you one of Derpy's friends?"

"Uh-huh!" Pinkie replied, pulling up a chair. "She, Applejack, Fluttershy and me all went to the movies yesterday! Before that she was one of the first fillies I talked to here!"

Mommy glanced over at Derpy and smiled.

"Oh really?"

"Uh-huh! I'm Pinkie Pie!"

"Well then!" Mommy turned to Derpy. "Tell us both about how you got your Cutie Mark, Sweetie. You have my full, undivided attention."

Derpy smiled, telling them both about what happened, in vivid detail (for her). It was almost as brief as it was when she told Amethyst, but she mentioned a few other things... like they had been taking a bath and they were both tired. Pinkie grinned, lightly stomping at the end of the story, and Mommy smiled, very proud of her daughter's achievement... also happy to see Pinkie quietly listening the whole time. The few ponies she'd seen Derpy with, other than Applejack, sometimes talked over her... which made the older mare pretty unhappy. Though Diamond could tell Pinkie probably wouldn't always be the best at taking turns when talking, but when Derpy had something to say, Pinkie listened, and that was more than enough.

"You're becoming a young mare, Derpy," Mommy said, watching the little filly finish her ice cream. "Seeing how you've made a few new friends and this place is so big, maybe we'll just have your Cute-ceañera here."

She turned to Mr. Cake and he nodded.

"Sure! We can do that no problem!"

Mommy turned back to Derpy and continued to smile:

"When we're done with your Cutsienara, maybe I can also start trusting you with a few chores..."

Derpy had just finished her ice cream. She perked up, a bit of pink on her cheek.

"Really?"

"Yup, but for right now... I think you could do with some more ice cream." She turned to Derpy's friend. "If your dad says it's okay, would you like to join us for another round of ice cream, on me?"

Pinkie smiled.

"Would I!?!"

"Mr. Cake?" Mommy cleared her throat. "Two more bowls of ice cream... one for your little assistant Pinkie here, if that's okay." Mr. Cake smiled and nodded, indicating his approval. Mommy turned back to Pinkie. "What flavor would you like?"

Pinkie answered quickly:

"Chocolate!"

"Make it chocolate please."

"Sure thing m'am! I'll bring it right out." Mr. Cake chuckled. "Also, I'm not her father... more of a mentor, if anything."

"Mr. Cake, you shouldn't have told me that... I was just about to tell you she's well-raised!"

Derpy recognized this... Mommy sometimes talked to some of the business ponies like this in Canterlot if things were going really well. It was always a good sign, especially when Mommy winked as she was doing now.

Mr. Cake put a hoof to the back of his head, blushing.

"Well, um... Me and the Missis will make sure she stays that way then!" He turned towards the door behind the counter. "I- uh, well... guess I'll be back in a jiff!"

Mommy looked at Pinkie and Derpy. The lpink filly was already entertaining Derpy, using a napkin to cover up an extra spoon, only to have it disappear when the cloth was removed. Sitting almost right next to Pinkie Diamond had a better view than Derpy, but she still couldn't tell where the spoon was going; Pinkie was that good.

"Here you are, Pinkie!" Mr. Cake said, coming through with the ice cream. "I'm going to call it a night after this, you've been a big help. Wait 'til I tell Mrs. Cake!"

Making way for the baker, Diamond let out a sigh... stretching out again in the comfy chair:

I knew you were worried about nothing, Amethyst. Derpy just needs time and the right ponies.

This certainly appeared to be so. For right now, though, Diamond just watched Derpy and her new friend... hearing Derpy giggle, watching her smile. Seeing all this a small part of the older mare finally was able to relax.