"Ooo'' Antithesis sounded, shaking his hoofs to get rid of the numbness from sleeping in his usual position at night with his head to the side with his arm under. As the numbness subsided in his arm it was replaced by an intense feeling of pins and needles.

He licked his lip where he had been biting in his sleep only to feel another spot in his mouth with a tear. "Ugh, maybe I should try sleeping in a different position then I won't bite my lieee." he jumped after stepping off his bed, forgetting that his foreleg still had pins and needles.

Walking downstairs he didn't see anypony, he stepped into the living room to check for his mom but couldn't find her. Going onto the kitchen he peeked out the window to see her hard at work in the field.

Stepping outside he opened the ice chest to get some cold water from inside. He poured a glass for himself and a bottle for Taupe, after he downed his glass he went back out to give his mom the water. "Hey mom!" he called out.

Taupe's ears perked up then she turned to see her son jogging towards her, in his hoof a bottle. "Mornin" she said as he reached her.

"Mornin" he said presenting the bottle. "Here ya go."

"Thanks," she said, taking the bottle. After taking a few gulps from the bottle she looked over at Antithesis, squinting her eyes she looked at his left and right sides.

She grabbed his chin then turned his head left and right, "Hey what are you doin??" he asked. She then put her hoof to her forehead then to his.

"How?" she said, cocking her head.

"How, what?” Antithesis questioned moving her hoof.

"How are you so bucking tall?" Taupe said looking up and down. "Yesterday you were barely at my chin now you're a little taller than me!"

"No way" he said moving his hoof from his head to hers "Huh guess I am. I wonder how tall I'll be?" he said hoping for an answer but aupe ignored it and drank again.

"Don't let it go to your head just because you're tall." Taupe said pointing the bottle at him.

"Ya ya," Antithesis said. "Ima head out". He turned around walking back to the house.

"See you later," Taupe whispered to herself before returning to her work.

Arriving in front of Shure's Antithesis approached the front door and knocked. With no answer he waited a minute before knocking once again. After a third set of knocks a white muzzle peaked through the side window, a few seconds Meana opened the door saying, "Hey there."

"Hi," Antithesis greeted with a wave of his hoof.

"Are you here to see Shure?" she asked motioning him to come inside. "I think he's upstairs in his room."

"Thanks" he replied, as she continued onto the dining room where there was a mess of papers. Antithesis climbed the flight of stairs reaching a landing with a hallway parallel to the stairs. He passed the first opened door that had shades of purples and blues along with a picture of some pretty boy pony.

Antithesis continued on passing the larger room with a king sized bed in the center of the back wall. The room was plain but the closet revealed rather formal attire. Passing that one he reached the end of the hall where there was a stair chaise going to the next floor and a closed white door.

Taking a gamble he knocked on closed the door in response he heard his friend say, "Hold on". The sounds of books falling and being moved could be heard. Shure opened the door with his horn saying "Come in".

"Whats up" Antithesis said, making shure look up. He was sitting at the base of his bead on the floor.

"Is today friday?" Shure asked, pulling his calendar off the wall looking at the date then put it back “Huh what do know”.

"As far as I could tell," Antithesis said, walking in. Stepping over piles of books and papers he stood behind Shure looking at the book Shure was reading from, "Whatcha reading?"

Shure continued reading for a second before turning the book to the cover for Antithesis. "Scrolls and runes Volume IV. Sounds..Interesting?" Antithesis said as shure was writing something.

"Sorry about that I just read something that I needed. What were you saying?" Shure asked, lowering the book and pen.

"Just curious on what you were reading." Antithesis answered picking up another book. "Circuits and Magic flow history. Huh, are you studying for something?"

"No, I'm researching so that I can do something." Shure said, taking his glasses off and cleaning them with a nearby cloth.

"Do what exactly?" Antithesis asked, grabbing another book with a star on the cover.

"I'm trying to make a telescope," Shure said pointing to the one at his window. It was a small basic telescope Antithesis moved the lens away from the sun and peeked into the lens only seeing some clouds in the distance.

"So if you have one why do you want to make one?" Antithesis questioned

"I'm making a better one. No, the best one." Shure said, putting his glasses back on.

"Oh, and what was the inspiration for this?" Antithesis asked.

Shure stood up and grabbed a book from his overstuffed shelf. "It started when I first learned about MC" he passed the book to Antithesis. "So the basics of MC is that you can draw certain patterns with.. well just about anything but let's stick to Divaium" (Deev ā eeum)

"Hold on, MC?" Antithesis interrupted.

Shure gave a sigh and slowly said "Magic Circuitry".

"Wait, I thought spells were done with your horn" Antithesis added.

“Usually yes but Circuits are different” Shure explained

“Oh ok.”

"Anyways so you can set certain amounts of magic into them causing them to perform certain functions, so take this for example" Shure lifted a thin sheet of rock from his desk bringing it over along with a small spool of the thin gold like ribbons.

"If I take some Divaium and shape it to do this." he drew a zig zag with 5 points with an arc connecting the two furthest ends and a line coming from the center vertex.

Sitting there for a minute Antithesis watched as nothing happened, "Cool I guess" he said sarcastically. Looking down again he noticed a drop of water forming and another then another, soon the rock was decorated in water droplets."

"So basically the Circuitry or as they used to call it Runes are used to cause certain phenomena to occur. Like this one the Zigzag is used to cool water in the air, and the arc it used to attract the water to the rock and the line in the vertex is used to hold magic so that the process can continue."

"Ahhh, so what you drew makes things wet?" said a little confused.

"You could say that, or you can put a large enough version of this and, oh I don't know, provide water in a drought."

"Do they do that?" Antithesis replied

"Yes'' Shure shook his head. "So you see different symbols perform different actions"

"What do you mean? So like If for example you have this Zigzag thing here and you added another line would it do something else?" Antithesis asked.

"Well yes and no'' Shure said wiping off the slab. "If I got another piece of Divaium and just added it it would do this''. Nothing happened, no water, not even a drop.

"What happened?" Antithesis said poking the lines.

"The Circuitry has a run off, which means there is an additional circuit that draws power and releases it into the air." Shure explained.

Antithesis rubbed his chin then said "So because you added a line onto it that wasn't originally there it won't work right".

"Right. Now the old way of fixing this would be to remove the Circuitry and relay it, but I figured out a way to get around that." Shure said, lighting his horn.

"If you run magic through the Circuitry, not the power line it will cause the Divaium to act frantically. Then apply a high pressure spell to the strips and it will merge the Divaium'' Shure began to sweat as he casted the spell.

Antithesis watched as the two pieces of Divaium began to merge into one solid pattern. "That's pretty cool." Antithesis said as Shure ended the spell.

"Thanks," he wiped his forehead. "That took more work than I remember. Ok now put your hoof over it."

Antithesis placed his hoof above the rock and felt a push of cool air. "So I'm gonna guess that this one still cools the water in the air but instead of collecting it it pushes it."

"Correct." Shure replied with a nod. “An example of a similar one with a different function.”

Shure continued about the multiple uses for varying circuits until Antithesis finally interrupted him, "Hey Shure that's cool and all, but you've been talking for hours. Is this what you wanted to do today?"

"Uh, well no," Shure replied, rubbing his head, "Sorry I got really sidetracked."

"No worries but I wanna stretch my legs." Antithesis grunted as he stood up.

Going down stairs Shure and Antithesis walked past Meana who was still frantically sorting and signing papers. Walking outside Antithesis asked "What's she doin in there?".

Shure rolled his eyes and said "That pony forgot to apply for collage"

"Is she going to Magic school?" Antithesis asked opening the back door.

Shure took a seat on one of the sun chairs in the backyard before answering. "Magic school? Meana? No way", he motioned to an empty seat.

Antithesis shook his head declining, "So what is she going for?"

"She wants to be an Equish Teacher, I think." Shure responded, laying his head down. He watched as Antithesis took a familiar position, "Do you still do those every day?" Shure asked.

"Every other day" Antithesis replied, mushing himself up and down, "You?"

"No, well, I do them enough so I can do at least fifty." Shure said picking his head up and accidentally looking at the sun. He raised a hoof to block the light from his eyes. "How many are you at?"

Antithesis shut his eyes so the sweat wouldn't go in, "Last I counted, I'm at, 86".

Shure got off the chair and walked next to him. "No you're not."

"Well count, for me, 26, 27" Antithesis answered.

Shure stood there counting as Antithesis reached 88 hoofups. Finished Antithesis rolled onto his back letting his forelegs rest, feeling inspired Shure began his own set. After 48 hookups Shure tapped out.

"Tch, tch, tch" Antithesis clicked, "You have to do more each time you don't just stop at fifty". Antithesis put a hoof out to help him up.

"I mean, I'm not really into the whole fitness thing like you or Astra, I just did it cause you guys were." Shure replied, taking his hoof.

"Well I wonder whether Trella prefers a scrawny stallion or one with a little muscle." Antithesis said with a sly smile.

"Ha, ha. I'd appreciate it if you guys stopped making fun of me." He said turning his tail to Antithesis, walking onto the porch. He stopped and turned his head with a blush in his cheeks "Do you think she prefers somepony more muscular?"

Antithesis walked up next to him putting a hoof around him and poked him in the chest saying, "I couldn't tell ya but it's clear to everypony you like her." letting go he said "Listen if you just sit on how you feel it won't be long before she looks for another stallion."

"It’s not that simple Thees, I don't know if she'd even think of me like that." Shure muttered.

Antithesis face hoofed then said "You're joking right." he looked at Shure who was wearing a straight face now. "Ah jeez, Shure do you realise that she is loud, roudy, lazy and stubborn."

"I've never seen her like that." Shure replied, taking a step forward.

"That's cause it all goes away when you come around!" Antithesis blurted. He then gave a sigh, "Just don't wait too long."

"I-I'll think about it." Shure stammered walking past Thees into the house.

Following him inside Antithesis shut the door behind him. Looking to his left, the table where Meana's papers were was now clear. Walking back into Shure's room, Shure took a seat in his bed while Antithesis leaned against the windowsill. Shure wore an embarrassed frown while he sat there.

Antithesis rolled his eyes, "Look Shure," Antithesis said walking next to him. "I get you don’t want to talk about it, but let me let you in on a secret” he looked left and right, "I'm pretty sure Astra likes Saphi,"

Shure raised an eyebrow and sat up saying, "Saphi, like the mare who hangs with Farenhiet all the time?"

"Yeup" Antithesis nodded.

"Huh, well now I know" Shure laughed.

"Shure! Come down" Meana called from downstairs.

"Hold on!" Shure called back. He motioned his head towards the door, both went back down and into the kitchen.

"Oh Antithesis I didn't know you were still here." Meana said, pouring some juice in two glasses. "Would you like to eat with us?"

He looked past her out the window, the sun was still high, "Uhhh, yeah" he replied.

Meana placed two plates onto the table in the dining room with two sandwiches each. Going back she brought her own plate and sat For the most part they ate in silence until Antithesis broke the quiet.

"So where are you gonna go to school?" he asked before taking another bite.

"Im gon shee df" she stopped and swallowed the food in her mouth, "Sorry, I want to go to Cadenza Collage over in Baltimare and if not there probably Tailence University south of Manehattan."

"Manehattan? Where is that exactly?" Antithesis said taking a sip of juice.

"Well that's the thing, it's on the other side of Equestria so I'm hoping I get accepted to Cadenza" Meana answered, finishing her food.

“What about you? Antithesis , have any clue what you’re gonna do?” she asked, picking up their plates, “I mean I know you're still in school but have you given it any thoughts?”

“Well I’m still waiting for my ‘Destiny’ to reveal itself.” Antithesis said pointing to his flank.

It took her a second before she realised what he had said, “Oh my gosh I didn’t even notice you didn’t have one.” she put the plates down and approached him. “I wonder why you haven't gotten it yet”.

“Who knows maybe you don’t have talent” Shure joked.

Meana put a hoof to her chin and looked up, “Is there anything you like to do?”

“I’ve tried those but nothing yet,” he answered.

“Hmmm, why don’t you go out and try a bunch of random things” Meana suggested.

“Go out and try random things, I don’t know sounds annoying. Plus it seems like a waste of time. I'll find what I’m supposed to do eventually.” Antithesis responded.

“I’m telling you, you’re probably going to be an athlete,” Shure added, “Your hella strong and tall.”

Meana looked at Antithesis realising he did get taller she didn’t often see him, so she didn’t really keep track of his features.

“My mom noticed it this morning. She said she didn’t understand why I was getting so tall.” Antithesis said putting a hoof on Shure’s head and drew a line to his own chest.

“Was your dad tall, maybe that's why.” Meana offered picking up the dishes once more.

“Couldn’t tell you,” Antithesis said following her into the kitchen. “Never met him.”

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Meana apologized.

“It's fine, my mom never talks about him. I don’t think he’s dead, but I don’t think they got along since there’s no pictures of him anywhere so I guess it wasn’t meant to be.” Antithesis shrugged. “Since she doesn’t talk about it I don’t ask any questions, doesn’t change anything”.

“Still it must be tough raising a kid all by herself.” Meana said washing the plates off.

“I guess. What about you guys? I’ve seen your dad a few times but never your mom.” Antithesis asked, as Shure entered the kitchen.

“Shure you didn’t tell him.” Meana said flicking water at him. She laughed as he freaked out, “Our mom is staying with our aunt in canterlot, she’s a nurse for some old noble pony.”

Wiping his glasses off Shure said, “She visits every month for a weekend, I’m pretty sure she’ll be here all month in September.”

“Yeah you can meet her then.” Meana said looking up at the clock, “Oh! I almost forgot Shure don’t you have an appointment at 5:00.”

“Oh yeah,” Shure responded, throwing his head back.

“Alright well I’ll head out then If y'all got somewhere to be.” Antithesis said turning to the exit.

“Alright, see ya later.” Shure called as Meana dried her hooves.

“Have a good day” Meana called as Antithesis walked out the front door.

Being that Shure lived close to DS&C Antithesis decided he’d take a look in the shop. Entering he felt an immediate relief from the hot summer air sending an almost sensual shiver down his spine. He looked over at the counter seeing no pony there, he thought to himself ‘I could walk right out of here with something and nopony would notice'.

Passing the second isle he saw the clerk from last time, sorting some books on the shelves. Noticing him the clerk offered a nod, Antithesis responded with a nod of his own.

Going further in he found himself surrounded by a large rack of little figurines consisting of ponies, dragons and other creatures. Next to it was a poster display, he walked up to it and flipped through the display frames looking one by one.

There were some random landscapes, an image of a solar banner, eventually he flipped onto a picture of some mares in risque outfits. Out of the corner of his eye the clerk was approaching so he quickly flipped to another poster.

“Can I help you find anything today?” the clerk asked looking towards the posters

Antithesis couldn't remember the clerk’s name so he said, “Just browsing, my room feels really plain lately.”

The clerk looked at Antithesis closely then said, “Say aren’t you that colt that came in and a crazy mare tried to buy a card you had?”

“Yeup that's me,” Antithesis smiled, “Sorry I don’t really remember your name.”

“No worries, just call me Page.” he said holding out a hoof, Antithesis shook it and turned back to the posters. “If none of these are what you’re looking for I just put in an order for new posters” .

“Alright I’ll come back then,” Antithesis confirmed. He walked past Page, and towards the entrance.

“See you soon.” Page called going back to the shelf he was working.

Stepping outside he could feel the cool air shift into a gross heat. He huffed in annoyance at the temperature. Walking back to his house he began to sweat simply from being outside.

The sun was just barley beginning to set. Getting inside he found Taupe at the table reading the news. Hearing him enter the room she lowered the paper to reveal a dried mud streak down her right cheek.

“How was your day?” she asked, hugging him.

“Alright, got a lecture and had a sandwich.” he replied avoiding the mud on her face. Taupe pulled away feeling the sweat on his back.

“Gross” she teased, wiping her hoof.

“Well at least I dont have dirt on my face.” he shot back with a smile.

She touched both sides of her face feeling the dried dirt. “You got me.” Taupe laughed

She sat back down where she had been and picked up the paper again. Antithesis took a seat across from her quietly. After afew minutes of reading the back of the paper Taupe put it down and asked, “Can I help?”, with a raised eyebrow.

“Uhhh, hmmmm. I was wondering, I mean you never talk about him or anything. But uhh I was curious about my dad?” he asked, cowering as he spoke.

She sat there quietly staring at him with an almost angry expression. After a few moments she sighed heavily. “What, brought on this question?” she said with tears filling her eyes.

“I’m sorry I was just talking with Shure and Meana and it was brought up and…” he trailed off.

“Sorry” her voice began to crack, “I--I can’t, not today”. Taupe got up and went into her room.

“Shit” he said to himself, going up to her door “Mom I’m sorry I didn;t mean to upset you” Antithesis said, drooping his ears. He stood there in silence at her door until the sound of the handle turning was heard.

Taupe pulled him into her embrace feeling the now mud on her cheek as she sobbed quietly. “I won't ask anymore” he whispered, hugging her in return.

Author's Note

Alright a few things i want to introduce.
One. Magic Circuitry, lets be honest there are some magical things happening all the time in MLP without the direct use of magic.
Two. Schools, Magic school can't be the only option.
Three. Some hard questions about Taupe.

THX for reading