One day more

"After Daring Do saluted the patient Precipita, who stood waiting for her first adventure, there was only one thing to do- take off into the open sky to look for the rest of the Enchanted Artifacts of the Ancients. Daring Do couldn't wait to see what she was going to dig up next."

My lips wore a thin smile as I finished, my mind having been whisked away by the ghost of pleasant memories. I looked up from the book in my hooves, registering a slight breeze rolling through the air. Invigorated by the fresh scent of grass and a guaranteed sunny day, I inhaled deeply, taking care not to damage the worn blue binding of my book as I closed it.

"...The End. Wow. I was nineteen years old when I first read that. Can you believe that?

"...Yeah, me neither. What was I thinking, right? Anyway, I just wanted to come say Happy Birthday."

I rubbed the back of my neck, averting my eyes.

"You would have been five... Sorry Mama was feeling sick, so she couldn't come, too. She told me to give you her love."

I paused to let my words sink in.

"...We miss you. We miss you very much... Did I tell you that I retired?"

I laughed wryly.

"I think I'm the youngest 'Bolt to do that. But yeah. I just- I had enough, I guess. Now your mommy's just a plain ole weather pony. Again."

I looked down at the small patch of blooming flowers. "That's weird, isn't it? These are gardenias, your favorite. Now, I'm not exactly a flower-type kind of pony like your Mama is, but let's just take a moment and be grateful you picked up her thing for gardening.

"...Because they smell good. Like, really good. I didn't really notice when I first brought you the bouquet... Do you think somepony had them planted?

"Yeah, they must have. I mean, no offense, but it ain't me who takes care of these things. I'm not good at taking care of things."

I shook my head violently.

"There I go again. Making this about me. This isn't about me. Today is all about you."

I set my book down, laying myself down next to the lovely carpet of natural perfume.

"You probably would have your cutie mark by now. Ever wonder what it could have been? A chisel? A wheel? A jousting spear?"

My eyes flittered back to the white petals inches from my face. The scent still tickled my nostrils.

"Or maybe, just a gardenia. Who knows?"

I sighed deeply, staring up at the clear sky. I began to tingle as the sensation of cute little phantom hooves began to prance up and down and all over my body, just like those mornings I had been abruptly awakened to witness finished art pieces.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I had your whole life planned out."

I giggled lightly at my own words.

"I wanted to be there to share your first drink of hard cider. You'd probably hate it, but it doesn't hurt to try things.

"Oh, and I had this whole gig planned out: whenever you brought home some cute filly- or colt, I guess- your Mama and I would scare the hide off of them. Well, assuming you didn't already tell them your moms are worldwide celebrities.

"They'd think twice about keeping my Lark out past his curfew once they found out your Mama once faced down a dragon!"

My laughter increased, causing my eyes to tear up. My laughing fit turned into a coughing fit, and I waited a few minutes to let my breathing return to normal.

"...I wouldn't care if you didn't make curfew, you know? Mama definitely would, so don't tell her I said that. But I remember being in those horseshoes. Kids need space.

"That doesn't mean I'd let you live like it's the Wild West, like your uncle does. Luna knows, you certainly got along with him... By the way, if you ever got a stallion-bun, I would probably disown you."

My smile faltered, and I facehooved. "I was kidding. That was a joke. I wouldn't. I would never... Besides, you could totally rock it."

I stretched my wings as I stood back up.

"Well, that was it. I'd better go now. See about taking care of your Mama."

I grabbed my book, giving the cover a brush.

"We've only got two more left, and we'll have finished the series. How about that?"

I smiled down at the marble headstone. I raised a hoof, skimming it along the top four letters expertly engraved into the stone.

"...Goodbye, little Lark."

Again, my gaze drifted downward. The gardenias at my hooves only slightly quivered in the soft wind.

"Give my thanks to whoever tends to these the next time you see them, okay?"

As my wings carried me up into the air and away from the sea of memorials, I took one last look at his tiny spot at the base of the hill. One more wouldn't hurt.

"I love you." I whispered against the current.

I flew back home before I too became lost in the pull of the earth's breeze.