To Grow Beyond Ones Ambitions
-Tuesday
A dark apartment with a couch right next to the open kitchen and two other doors. One leading to a bed room which went unused by its occupant and the other to a bathroom that ran hot and cold water without the hot. A duffel bag and a suitcase sat silently next to the door ready to leave there at a moments notice.The place that the owner slept was not a home. It only held one occupant and yet he never felt welcomed. The door next to the kitchen which lead to the outside world opened slowly as if the entity who had opened it did so out of obligation. The occupant of these rooms had returned.
With a faint smell of alcohol he entered his apartment for the last time. His landlord had informed him 2 months ago that the building was deemed "impossible to live in" and "was in dire need of demolishing." or something. He could use a change of scenery, this place was always unsettling to him. Probably because he lived in the dodgy end of Canterlot. The only nice part of this side of town was the bar he worked at. He loved it there, his co- workers were friendly and they made jokes about each other every day. He was sad when he had to quit but, with the building beig demolished he had to move back home. with his sister. His sister lived in the complete opposite side of town (The more shiny part) making it would be impossible to commute to and fro everyday. The taxi fair alone would cost more then what he was making.
He sat on the floor waiting for the hours to pass. His sister was going to pick him up at 6 am sharp. And he was sure that they were going to leave not a moment later. He hated this place. It made him feel alone. Less of a stallion and more of a colt. Shaking his head to disrupt the thoughts, he looked at the clock. "3 am eh?" He said aloud. He was sitting alone in the dark for roughly 4 hours now. He decided to leave the dark and depressing place. The place where he had spent 13 months of his time doing nothing but existing. He picked up his things and opened his door. He paused in the hall way and looked back. "Was it always this dark?" He asked himself. He remembered the first day he moved in. Fresh out of collage he was determined to make his own mark in life, and he knew this is where he would start. 13 months was a long time to prove himself wrong. He started down the hall to wait the remaining 2 and a half hours in front of the building for his sister.
At the chime of 6 he saw a hint of sun rise from earth. He thought about taking one last look at the building before it would be destroyed next week, but decided against it. 'Cant change the past.' he thought. The sound of hooves interrupted his thoughts. Looking down the street he saw his sister Emerald Ice and as she saw him she began to quicken her pace. "Flick!" she yelled as she was nearly at a gallop. He braced himself as his sister almost tackled him to the grown with her hug. "How big you've gotten baby brother!"
"-Good -to -see -you -too." He choked out as his face was turning blue from the hug. Releasing from the embrace Emerald chucked embarrassed.
"Hehe, sorry Flick. I just missed you." She said scratching the back of her head. Flicker Flair took this moment of weakness to tackle hug her instead. "Ah! You jerk!" She said pulling his check. The both of them shared a long laugh as they bickered back and forth. He had missed his sister just as much as she missed him.
Taking a few of the bags Emerald Ice began to walk with her brother. "You ready to come back home?" She asked with notes of concern on her face. Flicker took a deep breath.
"Physicaly yes, mentally no. I've thing I've adopted some habits the Major wouldn't approve of."
"Oh?" Emerald chimed, "Like having strange mares in your room past dark?!" She asked pouring on the dramatics. Her brother just rolled his eyes. "Or other stallions maybe?" She jabbed at his side.
"Shuddup." He jabbed back with a smile. "Nothing like that. I like to sleep in sometimes and you know how he got when one of us used to sleep in."
"Ah yes. firecrackers under our beds." it was her turn to roll her eyes. "How could I forget."
"At least your bed didnt catch on fire." He said tiredly.
"I mean it was time for a new matress for you. Too many "accidents." if you know what I mean."
"Hey! Ill have you know I havent wet the bed in over a month, thank you very much!" There was a long pause before the pair shared another laugh. He really did miss his sisters company. "Honestly though I'm beginning to think I should have come back sooner. It may have been a mistake to leave in the first place." His sister saw how tired he looked when he said that. It began to worry her.
"I dont think it was." She said looking straight ahead. "You wanted to see what you could do on your own. You wanted to live life of your volition. I think thats very commendable. Theres no shame in trying. Flicker I'm proud of you." She turned and smiled at him. He looked away form her fearing she would see a tear forming in his eye. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in for anther hug. "Crybaby." she said softly, a slight chuckle came from him as he leaned his head on her shoulder as they walked.
"I missed you sis."
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As they reached there ancestral home a wave of nostalgia hit Flicker Flair. Though it was quickly replaced with shock as he remembered the size of the place. "Has it always been this big?" The gates were open inviting them to step into the small courtyard with a modest size mansion. Normal for the upper-crust of Canterlot but to Flick who had just finished living on the more destitute side of town, he felt out of place. Just then an older, more sophisticated stalion in a tuxido walked towards them. "Good morning madam Emerald" The butler pony's accent was the definition of "socially refined." As his gaze fell on the young unicorn with his stained t-shirt and gave a small smile. "And why a very good morning to you Master Flicker." Flick met him with a large hug. The butler pony just patted the young stallions back smiled.
"Hans how have you been! Its been ages." he said releasing him from the embrace.
"I have been well Master Flicker. The Major and your sister have been taking quite good care of me."
"Only as good as you've been taking care of us." Emerald said.
"Well naturally." He said proudly with a bit of pomp in his voice.
"And hows your wife?" Flicker asked. Hans gave a depleted sigh.
"Exhausting as ever." he smiled slyly.
"Hans you dog." Flick said as Hans took the smallest bag from him and began to walk towards the mansion. Hans was the oldest and most enthusiastic pony his uncle employed. Emerald and flicker began to follow him inside. "Is the Major inside?"
"He wanted to be, but it seems he was needed for some discussion with a group of griffons who demanded a renegotiation of our borders. Again." She was getting flustered. "We dont even SHARE a border with them and they-" She stopped herself and regained her composure. "I'm sure we'll see the Major at dinner tonight." She was a master over her own emotions. where others would loose their cool she remained ice cold. It used to be quite bothersome when ever they would play poker.
"What are we having?" he asked to which his sister coolly replied.
"You should be asking 'where' my dear brother."
"Where are we having?" He asked puzzled. His sister jabbed him in the ribs.
"You know what I mean!" Despite here normally calm demeanor Flicker Flair was one of the only ponies who could get a rise out of her. "We are having dinner at the castle. With the Princesses." A panic showed on his face.
"Wait I haven't seen Princess Celestia since I was like 4. And I don't remember which fork to start with!"
"Oh you'll be fine." she said quickly. " And you start from the outside in." She added. "It'll be fine its not going to just be the five of us. Its for a charity event. And its mostly a work event for me. The Princesses and I have next months schedule to approve." Emerald Ice was one of the Princesses main advisers. While there uncle was in charge with home land security. Both of whom answered only to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And they were good at their jobs too. "Major also said it would be a good opportunity to ask that they pull funding from the munitions department. He said he wants to 'further the training of warriors not weapons.' or something like that."
"Oh great. Totally not terrifying at all." he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
"Or relax. I remember Princess Celestia taking a liking to you when you last met."
"I was a toddler! I could barley speak!"
"Those were the days." She said wistfully, observing the glare from her brother. "Ah anyway you get some rest! And Ill have Hans get you a suit!" She studied his for a moment. "And don't forget to shave and take a bath!" As she trotted away Flicker Flair began to look around his old home. The memories of him and Emi playing together in the halls warmed his heart. He remembered when they got caught trying to steal some cookies by their uncle. Instead of getting upset the three of them ate every last one before the cook found out. This was home.
"Well, I guess it is good to be back." He said smiling.
