Kix an Mint; Uncertain Future

  ‘Yet another school, another bunch of names Ah have ta remember than forget.’ The sight o' the schoolhouse coming closer inta view brings ta mind all the friends Ah've made an left behind in the past few years. As each face flashes through mah mind Ah can’ help but sink deeper inta the growin sadness. “Pa, why..... Why do we have ta move around so much? Why couldn’ we have stayed back in Neighsville?”

  “Ah'll explain it ta ya when yer older, Ah promise.” As he answers the schoolhouse is right in front of us. With a smile he playfully gives me a noogie and we step inside. “Howdy ma'am, mah name's Kix and Ah'm here ta register man daughter fer the year if it ain' too late.” He addresses the cerise colored mare with three flowers that are smiling fer a cutie mark.

  “Greetings and welcome to Ponyville. My name's Cheerilee and I'm the teacher here. As a matter of fact you are just in time, tomorrow is the cut off for registration. What is your name?” Her smile is bright as she looks at me after shaking pa's hoof.

  “Ah'm Mint, Mint Song Miss Cheerilee. Ah'm lookin forward ta mah time here.” As the lie near the end rolls off may tongue pa gives me a small disappointed head shake while starin at me with one eye. Knowin Ah'm caught Ah jus hang may head an speak a little quieter. “Ah'm..... Ah'm sorry Miss Cheerilee. Ah shouldn' have lied like that.”

  As pa give me a comfortin hug she looks at me in confusion. “It’s nice to meet you too Mint. What did you lie about?”

  “Ah.... Ah’m not really lookin forward ta this schoolyear.” The answer comes tenatively after a minute of nervous shiftin. ‘What a way ta make a first impression on mah new teacher, even if it’s gonna be fer a year. Ah bet she doesn’ like me now.’

  “Why are you not looking forward to learning?”

  Before Ah can answer pa speaks up as he tights his hug. “We've..... Moved around alot these past few years. We've never been able ta stay in one place long enough fer her ta spend more than one school year at the previous places we lived. It's made it hard fer her ta make friends or get comfortable. Ah'll talk ta ya more about it later if ya'd like.”

  “Alright, but I will have to discuss this with FPS even though I don’t think you’re abusing her. Anyway here are the forms to fill out, make sure she gets her shots soon.” A smile follows a head nod before she hands us a stack o’ papers an a pen.

  “What is FPS an why does she have ta contact them?” Ah watch as he fills out the forms while Cheerilee goes outside.

  “They're a government run group that investigates reports o' foal abuse or neglect. It stands fer Foal Protection Services....”

“Wh- why does she have ta contact em? Ya ain’t abusin me an Ah don’ think you’re neglectful either. Does this..... Does this mean Ah’ll have ta..... Live in an orphanage? Will ya be able ta visit me? What if.....”

  A strong hug breaks mah train o’ thought as he pulls me close. “Don’ you worry none. It’s jus routine because o’ how often we’ve moved lately. Hopefully with this big break comin up we’ll be able ta find permanent residence.” As he smiles at me reassuringly Ah jus nod an smile back. “Now why don’ ya go outside an play on the playground. Use up some o’ that endless energy ya got while Ah finish up the paperwork.”

  “Ok pa, an thank ya. Ah know Ah’ve been..... Upset fer how much we’ve moved but thank ya fer bein the best dad ya can.” Ah give a quick hug an smile before racin outside.

  Despite the beautiful day outside an the crowd o’ ponies walkin about none really pay much attention ta me and playin alone quickly becomes borin. As Ah’m about ta lazily push the merry-go-round a voice from behind startles me. “So, you must be new here.”

~~~~~Kix~~~~~

  After Ah release her from the quick hug Ah can’ help but laugh as she scrambles ta be outside, leavin me ta the paperwork. “Kix, I just sent a letter to princess Twilight. Again it is just protocol for us teachers. Have you ever been in contact with FPS before?”

  “Naw, never. Though Ah’m not too worried about it an Ah don’ blame ya fer doin what ya have ta. But if ya wanna know now..... Ah've only been able ta get seasonal jobs. Ah don' know why but all the jobs Ah've had never did turn inta somethin permanent. Though hopefully Ah finally got the big break we've been needin an it'll let us settle down finally.” Ah finish the paperwork as Ah speak, mah gaze goin from it ta the teacher.

  “I understand, and I wish you the best of luck. Now how far has she progressed in school when she has been in one?”

  With a chuckle Ah pull out Mint's report cards from the last three years an hand em over. “She ain' been a straight A student, but she does her best. As ya can tell she struggles alot with language an math.”

  “Let's see here, for history she has repeatedly gotten a B+ on the vast majority of her report cards, more specifically the last eight with no comments. Science has seemed to level off at a B after slowly improving since her E on the oldest report card. Says the one area she does best in is biology. For math she hasn’t gotten any better than a C-. And finally her language has never risen above a D? I take it is mostly because of her accent?” Cheerilee comments as she reads over the stack of past cards. Ah’m guessin she’s tryin ta get a feel fer her weak spots in learnin.

  “Yea, none o’ the old teachers gave her much wiggle room in that regard.”

  “Alright, I shall keep that in mind. It also says here her favorite extracarricular class and after school program is music? Is that her own choice or what you influenced her to do?” The cards are neatly put back in order an hoofed over as she asks.

  “Ah guess ya can say in a way Ah’ve inluenced her. Ah play the guitar alot at home an do alot o' practicing with mah band. She grew up with it but she made those choices on her own. She's actually been workin on a few songs o' her own and they ain’ too bad.”

  A smile curls her lips as she listens. Before she can continue the door bursts open an who Ah can only assume is princess Twilight judgin by her horn an wings steps inside. Her expression neutral as she approaches the kneeling Cheerilee. “You don’t have to do that Cheerilee. I came as soon as I read your letter. What exactly is this all about?” As she finishes she finlly takes notice o’ me and offers a smile. “Hello there, you must be new to Ponyville. I’m Twilight Sparkle and I didn’t know Cheerilee had other business. I hope you don't mind but I have to talk to her about an urgent matter.”

  Greetings ma'am, Ah’m Kix. Yes Ah’m new here and if yer referin ta Ms. Cheerilee’s letter ta FPS then Ah’m the one the its about.” Mah straight forwardness about the situation cause a flood o’ emotions ta cross the newly crowned princess’ face. ‘Ah hope this don’ end poorly fer us. An Ah hope she didn’ get the wrong impression.’

  “I don’t think he is treating his daughter poorly, but I did have to follow protocol when I heard how often Kix has moved with his daughter.” The teacher steps in before the princess has a chance ta respond. Ah guess in an attempt ta diffuse the situation a lil.

  “Alright, I’ll listen to what he has to say.”

  “Well ma’am, Ah’ll admit Ah haven’ provided mah daughter Mint the stable o’ lives lately. It’s been hard fer me ta turn a temporary job inta somethin permanent. Despite that problem Ah’ve provided the best Ah could fer her an we’ve never moved durin the school year ta give her some semblance o' stability.” The short term explanation comes after taking a few breaths an a minute ta choose may words. ‘Please let her know Ah'm telling the truth.'

  “Are you a single parent? What happened to her mom?”

  “Yes Ah’m raisin her mahself with some help from mah bandmates. As fer her mother..... Its..... She waited till Ah was recovered from mah injuries back when Mint was born an able ta care fer her before leavin us. She's now livin in Manehatten an recently got back somewhat inta Mint's life.”

  “So why couldn’t she take her in temporarily and why didn’t she take Mint with her?” As the question and answer session continies she begins jottin down notes while listenin.

  “First Mint didn’ wanna stay with her even when offered the chance ta. As fer why her mom didn’t take her, it’s mah fault. She was angry with me an didn’t want a reminder of what she once had.”

  “Could she have stayed at your parents then?”

  “Nope, right now me an mah folks are..... Not on speakin terms an haven’ been fer a long time now. They don’ even know about their grandaughter.”

  “What happened between them and you?”

  “They wanted ta turn me inta somepony Ah didn’t wanna be an kept pushin no matter how hard Ah fought. Eventually Ah ran away. A month later Ah found out they disowned me.” Ah can’ help but feel a pang of regret mixed with anger as Ah think back on those two days in particular.

  “Alright, I would like to speak to your daughter alone before I leave. But first do you have some place to stay and some kind of job?” The purple alicorn’s expression softens a bit as she puts her papers down and looks at me.

  “We’re stayin at a hotel room fer now. As far as jobs go Ah got a few leads Ah’m gonna check out once done here.”

  At this point Miss Cheerilee finally speaks up. “Princess I was actually about to suggest that he should check out The Cider Mill. They are looking for a new band to hire on.”

  “Alight, right now that is my main concern. If you can get a job lined up and someplace more stable and fitting I’ll add that to my repot to FPS. But before I send it I need to talk to your daughter first.”

  “Fair enough, she’s out on the playground. Ah’ll go get her.”

~~~~~Mint~~~~~

  “Yea, Ah jus moved here. Ah'm Mint, nice ta.....” As Ah hold may hoof ta shake all the filly does is brush by me an gives me a look over while walkin around me. It's at this time Ah notice her tiara and her cutie mark. Her grey coated friend hangs back a little an jus smirks while adjusting her glasses.

  “I don't really care who you are blank flank. I’m Diamond Tiara and I’m the richest filly in Ponyville. Just know that I’m the top dog in here in school. If I tell you to do something you do it, understand?” Her tone and body language take me by suprise as she pushes her muzzle against mine in an attempt ta intimidate me.

  In annoyance Ah push her away which Ah guess is somethin she has never had happen ta her before. “Ah don’ care how rich ya are Di, never get in may face like that again unless ya wanna fight. Ah don' know who let ya grow up with that kinda thinking but Ah won' let ya push me around, got it.”

  “Oh she is in such trouble Diamond. Fighting when school hasn't even started yet, that will not be a good mark for you.” Her friend giggles after checking on Diamond Tiara. “You sound like you're related to the Apples, and also look like one of them as well.”

  “Yeah, why don’t you go back to the farm and wallow in the pig sty. Maybe then you’ll smell alot better and will finally make a......” A startled oomph finishes her sentance as Ah tackle her from the side. Thankfully it rained earlier and the impact took us close enough to a large mud puddle.

  With a snort Ah knock off her tiara while pinnin her down onto her belly. “Ya know Di, Ah heard mud facials are meant ta make one look better, lets see how true that is.” An with a protesting shout Ah shove her head inta the mud. Even goin as far ta rub her face in it as she struggles. After a few seconds o' her flailin about her friend knocks me off.

  “Now you are in serious trouble. Just wait till my mom and dad hear about this. My mom is the school board presi.....”

  “Mint there’s somepony who..... What is goin on out here?” Pa comes out as he notices mud drippin from Diamond Tiara an three o’ us in fightin stances. “Mint, what is goin on an who are these two fillies?”

  “Are you her father?” Tiara asks as he steps between us. His expression disappointed.

  “Yea Ah am, an who are ya?”

  “I'm Diamond Tiara and this is my friend Silver Spoon. Your daughter is a bully. All we were trying to do was be friends but she instead attacked us.”

“Ah only attacked ya cause ya wouldn't leave me alone. Ya were saying some mean things and demandin Ah do what ya tell ta do!”

  “All three o' ya inside now. Diamond an Silver, go talk ta Miss Cheerilee. Mint there is somepony who wants ta talk ta ya. Afterwards we're gonna have a sit down with Miss Cheerilee and figure out how ta avoid this situation again.”

  “I would say it was nice meeting you Mint, but that would be lying.” Her snarky retort causes me ta snort back in anger as we enter the buildin with pa behind us.

“Miss Cheerilee these two need ta talk ta ya. Princess Twilight this is mah daughter Mint. Ah’ll jus be outside.” Ah watch as the two bullies go with the teacher. Giving me one last mean look before Ah turn ta the purple alicorn in front o’ me.

  “Hello there Mint, I’m Twilight Sparkle. Before we begin what was that about with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?”

  “They were being mean an wouldn' leave me alone even though Ah asked.” Despite not makin eye contact Ah can feel the pincess’ gaze of disapointment directed straight at me.

  “Well you cannot attack a classmate no matter what they do. I want you to applogize to them when we finish up ok.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Good, now I understand you have moved around alot lately and you refused to live with your mother when she offered to take you in for a bit correct?”

  Her question startles me an without thinkin Ah rush her. Mah arms wrappin around her hooves while Ah look up at her. “Please..... Ah..... Ah don’ wanna live with ma. Please don’ take me away from pa! Ah’ll behave. Ah’ll even do what Diamond tells me ta, jus please don’ take me away!”

  A hoof curls around mah back gently. “And why don’t you want to live with her?”

  “She..... She abandoned me an pa. She left us and only jus got back in touch with us a few months ago. Plus Ah don’ wanna grow up in some big fancy house.” Ah can feel the tears begin ta well as Ah hold onta the princess tightly. ‘Ah gotta try but Ah don’ think it’ll matter much.’

  “How does your dad treat you?” A feather tenderly wipes away the tears as they start ta flow.

  “He treats me very well. He don' hit or yell at me. An he does his best ta help me out whenever Ah need it. Ah know we don' have a place ta call our own yet but he's doing his best.”

  “I can tell he loves you and I will add that to my report which will include my recommendation. Before I leave have you ever met your grandparent before?”

  “Grandparents? What're those?” Ah look at her in confusion as she jots down somethin before stand-in up.

  “Grandparents are your mother and father's parents. I don'the have anymore questions at this time Mint, but the FPS representative will also need to talk to you soon. And I will follow up with you and your dad in two weeks. It was a pleasure meeting you Mint. I hope you enjoy your stay in Ponyville. And try not to get into too much trouble, ok?"

  “Thank ya princess. It was an honor ta meet ya as well. An Ah'll try not ta get inta much trouble.” As a goodbye wave is shared between the two of us she takes off. Once she disappears Ah let out a sigh an head back inside. Ah stop next ta Ms Cheerilee an look at the pair she was addressin, another sigh blows through mah lips as Ah extend a hoof. “Ah’m sorry Diamond. Ah shouldn’ have let my anger take over like that. Think we can forget what happened an start over?”

  “Hmph, well I DON'T accept your apology and I’m not sorry. Why should I have to belittle myself to make a blank flank like you feel better?” The two fillies turn an head out the building leaving both Miss Cheerilee an pa stunned at ther outburst an rude brush off.

  “I'm sorry. I've been trying to figure out what their problem is and how to help but with no progress so far. Just let me know if they bother you too much Mint. I'm looking forward to having you join us. And it was a pleasure meeting you Kix.”