Iron and Blood: We Dear Sisters

“Do you like this one?” Limestone asked her eldest sister as she held a dark rye loaf in her hand. “Or this one?” She picked up another one, giving it a little bounce.

Maud studied the loaves with dull eyes. “That one looks good.” She pointed at the loaf in Limestone’s right hand. Limestone gave a slight nod as she walked up to the register.

Their younger twin sisters Pinkie and Marble laid their faces against the large viewing window separating the kitchen from the storefront at the back of the bakery. Their young, innocent eyes stared at the large brick ovens roaring at a constant temperature perfect for baking bread. The hot air spewing from their maws filled the bakery with warm dense air that delighted the senses.

The twins turned their gaze to a mare kneading a wad of dough. Flour coated her hands as she worked the mound. Sensing that eyes were upon her, she looked up from her work and gave them a sweet smile.

Stepping up to the register, Limestone placed the loaf on the countertop. The cashier looked up from his newspaper and smiled at the sisters. “Found what you needed?” He leaned on the countertop.

“We sure did.” Limestone returned the stallion’s smile with one of her own.

“How was your day, Mr. Cake?” Maud asked as she handed the stallion eight tokes from her jacket’s pocket.

“It’s been going well.” He took the coins and placed them in the cash register. “Morning was busy like always. But after the rush, the day went by smoothly. Not too chaotic.” He picked up the loaf. “What about yours?”

“The usual. We’re just getting stuff for supper.” Limestone stated matter of factly.

Mr. Cake nodded. “That’s good. Can’t say no to your Ma’s cooking.” He gave them another smile before looking out the door that’s held open by a rubber door stopper. Seeing storm clouds rolling down the mountains, he quickly packed their bread in a brown paper bag. “Better get going before the storm rolls in.” He waved them goodbye. “And tell your Ma and Pa I said hi!”

“We will, Mr. Cake.” Maud looked at her sisters. “Come on, fillies, say goodbye to Mrs. Cake. We have to go!” The twins looked over their shoulders. With a frown, they waved goodbye to the mare. Mrs. Cake smiled at the fillies and returned the wave with one of her own.

Leaving the bakery, the sisters’ stepped onto the veranda. Buttoning up their wool coats, they looked up and down the street, watching putter-cars and wagons pass them by. Giving each other silent nods, they walked along the veranda towards the main intersection of their hometown of Ashmore.

A powerful gust of wind roared down the mountainsides. The town’s folk braced themselves as the temperature dropped. Limestone pulled her coat’s collar over her cheeks. “Gosh, it’s cold!” She stuttered, rubbing her hands along her upper arms.

Maud let her dull expression falter a bit at her sister’s predicament while she messed with her scarf.

Pinkie let off a giggle as she skipped alongside Limestone. “That’s why you need to skip!” She slipped away, joining her twin. “It keeps you warm!”

Limestone rolled her eyes at her twin sisters’ giggling. “Ha, very funny!” She grumbled. “You find this funny?” She glared at Maud. Maud just shrugged her shoulders as she kept her eyes on the road. Limestone groaned as she used her bonnet to hide her embarrassment from the world. “Of course, you would have nothing to say….”

Losing all care for their sister’s woes, the twins picked up their pace, humming a little tune all the while. Skipping faster than her sister, however, Pinkie pulled ahead. Laughing, she turned around and gave her sisters a goofy smile. Seeing Pinkie’s trajectory, Maud’s mood turned from dull to panic-stricken. “Pinkie! Watch out!” Pinkie jerked from her sister’s tone and lost her footing, falling off the veranda onto the muddy road below.

Hearing a little squeak, Maud, Limestone, and Marble popped their heads over the veranda and saw Pinkie stuck in a freshly shoveled pile of snow. Marble and Limestone smirked as they watched Pinkie trying to free herself from the snow. Embarrassed, Pinkie looked up at her sisters with a frown.

“And that’s why you’ll never catch me skipping!” Limestone giggled.

Pinkie grumbled and stuck out her tongue. Limestone did the same.

Maud rolled her eyes at her sisters’ antics. Stepping off the veranda, Maud walked up to her sister and offered her a hand. Pinkie’s cheeks reddened as she took the offer and stood on her hooves. With a huff, she wiped off the snow that clung to her dress. “You alright?” Maud asked.

“Yep!” Pinkie gave her a slight smile as she walked back onto the veranda with Maud.

Hearing the clocktower’s bell ringing out over the town. The sisters looked at the tower in the distance and read the time. ‘It’s five O’clock. Let’s get going!” Limestone shouted.

Getting to the main intersection, Maud stopped her sisters at the corner of a building and pulled out a piece of paper from her coat’s breast pocket. “So, fillies,” She read. “Do we have the eggs, cabbage, bread, milk, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and onions?” Maud looked into the basket with her sisters. Seeing the items listed, her younger sisters nodded, affirming her question. “Wonderful. Is there anything else we need?”

“Is that all Ma wrote?” Limestone eyed the paper.

“Yes.” Maud quipped

“Well then, if we can think of anything else, let’s make sure it’s worth the tokes.” Limestone said as she placed her hands in her coat’s pockets.

Pinkie and Marble looked at one another with determined smirks. “We need candy!” Pinkie sang with glee as she stood on one hoof, twirling in place. Marble copied her every move, her own bout of giggles mixing with Pinkie’s.

Limestone frowned. “No!” She stomped her hoof against the porch. The wood planks under her hoof dully vibrate. “Ma only gave us enough tokes to buy the items for tonight’s supper!” Limestone retied her bonnet as she raised her brow at the twins. “We can go without sweets for today!”

The twin’s eyes began to water. “But we haven’t had candy in a week!” Pinkie’s voice cracked.

“Yeah!” Marble huffed as she stuck out her bottom lip.

Limestone gritted her teeth. “You fillies are ten years old!” She huffed. “Grow up!”

“Really!” Pinkie groaned. “You’re only three years older!”

Maud shook her head. Limestone and the twins were always stubborn when they had their minds set. Letting herself laugh at her sisters’ ‘angry’ expressions, she pulled out a small cloth sack from her saddlebag. “Hold out your hands.” Pinkie and Marble dropped their charade with Limestone and complied with her demands. “Both of you get two tokes for the candy shop. So, pick your sweets wisely!” She gave them a playful smirk.

The twins smiled wide as they took the coins. Without warning, they crossed the street in a flash, forcing several vehicles to halt their slow movement, allowing them to pass. “Thanks, sis!” Pinkie yelled from the entrance of the shop before entering. Marble followed after her with a skip and a jump.

Limestone looked at Maud with confusion clearly on her face. “Sis! Ma told us we have to make these tokes last until next Monday! If she finds out we’ve been using them for sweets, she’s going to get mad!”

Maud gave her sister a sly smirk as she jiggled her sack of tokes. “I know that, but I added some more.”

“Where did you get extra?” Limestone asked, her eyes wide like large porcelain plates.

“Really, don’t you remember? I get paid for helping out Miss. Cheerilee at the schoolhouse.” Maud took out two more tokes from the sack. “Why don’t you relax and get yourself a sweet.”

“But these are your tokes?” Limestone pointed at the bronze coins resting on her palm.

“If I wanted to keep them, would I be giving them to my sisters?” Maud stated with a raised brow. Limestone gently took the remaining tokes from her sister’s hand and gave her a small thanks. “Now run off and get some sweets. I’ll be waiting by the water tower.” Maud smiled as she pointed at the object in question.

Limestone raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”

“You know me, I’m not one for sweets.” Maud waved her hand. “Now go, hurry before the storm rolls in.” Limestone smiled and ran across the street to the candy shop. Seeing her sister enter the store, Maud looked both ways before stepping off the veranda and crossing the street. Arriving at the water tower, she put her arms through the basket’s handle and leaned against one of its wooden supports.

Letting out a sigh, she decided to watch the residents of her hometown go about their evening.

Several children ran through the streets playing a game of tag. Four elderly stallions played a chess game by one of the few pubs in Ashmore. She watched a colt getting dragged along by his parents as they went about their evening shopping. On the street corner opposite her is an earth pony couple putting on a puppet show, entertaining anyone interested in their performance.

Eventually, a young couple caught her eye. They sat at a table outside of one of the few restaurants that took up residence in their small town. The couple reminded her of her own relationship with a particular teen colt. She smiled as she thought about his soft blue eyes. His broad shoulders. His…

Her thoughts dissipated as she felt a twinge of cold striking her snout. Confused, she looked up and saw the storm clouds had finally rolled down the mountainsides and were now releasing their payload onto the small humble town below.

Hearing the clap of thunder rolling across the sky, echoing off the mountain peaks. Maud’s ears laid flat against her head. ‘The walk back is going to suck….’ Another slushy droplet of ice-cold rain smacked her snout. Then another droplet. Then a flake of snow gently landed on her bonnet before melting into the fabric. Letting out a little squeak, she quickly crossed the street once again and back onto a store’s veranda. ‘Don’t take too long, fillies.’ She frowned as the slush picked up speed from the safety of the awning.

Limestone scanned for her sisters in the vast sea of sweets while walking into the store. Finding them over by the licorice, she shook her head at their goofy faces. “Can’t decide on what you fillies want?” She hovered over them, eyeing the licorice behind the glass.

“There’s too many to choose from….” Pinkie moaned as she and Marble pressed their faces against the counter’s display. The store clerk on the other side of the counter playfully rolled his eyes as he put away a stack of chocolate bars on the back wall.

Limestone studied the chewy straws standing erect in their tin cups. “How many do you get for two tokes?” She crossed her arms, eyeing her sisters with a questioning smirk.

“Eight.” Marble replied, eyeing the green and red ones, licking her lips.

Limestone counted the flavors. Ten unique flavors. “Well, I would divide it in half and buy two of my favorites or pick eight individual flavors for more variety.”

The twins smirked at each other as they whispered to one another. Nodding, they turned their gaze to the store clerk and waved him down. “What can I do for you fillies?” The clerk asked as he leaned on the display’s countertop.

“Can I have eight green apples!” Pinkie squeaked.

“And can I have eight red cherries!” Marble added, giving him their tokes.

Limestone rolled her eyes. ‘Or just get eight of one flavor.’

The clerk put the chewy treats into a brown paper bag. “And you?” He asked Limestone.

“Oh… I would like four lemons and four raspberries.” Limestone stated, giving the clerk her tokes.

“Alrighty then, here you go, fillies.” The clerk handed them the paper bag full of licorice. Taking it, Limestone held it close to her chest. With a smile, they nodded their heads and waved goodbye. “Enjoy your sweets.” He smiled, giving them a two-finger salute.

“We will, mister!” Pinkie squeaked out a giggle as they left the shop.

Stepping outside, an intense chill stopped them in their tracks. Looking up from their bag of treats, they saw the storm was in full swing. Slushy snow covered their small town. The metal roofs sang out a mind-numbing song from the assault of the snow. Horns of putter-wagons blared out as their drivers tried to escape the sticky muddy streets.

Seeing Maud under an adjacent shop’s awning on the corner of the main intersection, they dashed across the street, running as fast as possible. “Did you get the sweets you wanted?” Maud asked as her sisters stepped onto the veranda.

“Yeah…” Limestone yelled over the drumming of the metal awning. She shook off the droplets of snow that clung to her dress with a groan.

“The weather sure did change on a toke?” Pinkie quipped, looking towards the sky at the giant thunderclouds rolling overhead.

“My dress is wet!” Marble cried. Pinkie giggled at her twin. Not liking her sister’s tone, Marble sent a pout her way.

“Well, it looks like you’re going to have to get used to that.” Maud looked up the road that led to their home. “We better hurry….” She picked up the basket. “Let’s go!” Jumping down onto the muddy road, the sisters made their way up the hill.

By the time the sisters arrived at their home, their fur, cotton coats, dresses, and bonnets were damp. Their hooves were numb from cold mud and snow that clung to them. Stepping onto the porch, they quickly shook off the snow before stepping inside.

Warmth washed over them, making their fur stand on end. A fire burned calmly within the brick fireplace on the sisters' right. A smile came to their faces as a chill of delight ran down their spines. Stepping up to the coat rack by the door, they took off their coats, scarfs, and bonnets, placing the apparel on it.

“Hi Ma, we’re home!” The twins sang as they skipped their way into the kitchen, passing the dining table, both squeezing themselves through the small doorframe.

Their mother, Cloudy Quartz, turned around and saw her daughters standing in the dining room through the doorway. Before her twins could hug her, she extended out a hand. “Hold it, you two!” She pointed at the twins, causing them to stop in their tracks, confusion on their faces. “Why in heaven are you so filthy?”

Limestone chuckled. “It’s snowing outside, Ma.” She pointed to the window by the front door.

Stepping out of the kitchen, Cloudy Quartz looked at the window and saw the snow slamming the earth. “Oh… Interesting, I didn’t even hear it….” She scratched her head. Her younger daughters giggled at her. “Well now, how was your evening out on the town?” She gave them a smirk.

“Good, Ma.” Maud handed the basket over to their mother. Cloudy Quartz took the basket into the kitchen, her children following her as she did so. “Do you need help with supper?” Maud asked.

“Can we hug you?” Pinkie and Marble pouted, sticking out their bottom lips.

Cloudy Quartz sat the basket onto the kitchen counter. “Of course, you fillies can, but first, you need to bathe yourselves.” She turned around and gave a playful frown. “I will not have my children eat supper when they’re all dirty!” She placed her hands on her hips. “And that goes for your Pa when he gets home.” Her daughters giggled at her words. “I’m glad I can make you laugh, now runoff. The faster you bathe, the quicker we can get supper ready.”

“Come on, fillies, let’s go.” Maud corralled her sisters to the bathroom.

Entering the cramped bathroom, the twins began undressing from their navy-blue dresses. As they undressed, Maud closed the bathroom door and walked up to the cast-iron tub’s bronze furnace that hung on the wall. She checked the gauge on the furnace. Seeing the dial hovering at ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheit, she hummed a tune to herself as she walked up to the medicine cabinet over the sink.

Limestone turned on the faucet as she stood back, watching the water pour into the tub. She checked the temperature several times and fiddled with the nob until it was just right. “Stupid dress!” Pinkie whined as she struggled with the lace of her dress. Seeing her struggling, Limestone untied the knot for her and helped her undress. Fully undressed, the twins waited patiently for the tub to fill. “Can we get in now?” Pinkie asked, rubbing her arms, shivering from the cold drafts coming from under the door.

Limestone eyed the waterline as it rose further up the tub. Shutting off the faucet, she smiled at her twin sisters. “You can hop in now.” She stated. “Just don’t jump in...” Pinkie and Marble jumped into the tub, spilling water onto the white tile floor. Limestone sighed. “Never mind…”

Maud got on her knees. “Okay, let's make this quick.” She hummed as she dunked the bar of tar soap in the bath water before lathering it in her hands.

Pinkie and Marble ignored their eldest sister and dunked their heads underwater. Limestone and Maud watched them as their manes and tails mixed together in a sea of black and magenta. Seeing their overly expressive faces, Maud and Limestone looked at each other rolling their eyes.

Pinkie broke the water’s surface. She took in long breaths as she wiped her wet mane from her eyes. “Darn!”

Marble came up after her. Timidly she wiped her mane from her eyes. Seeing that she’d won, she lifted her hands in the air. “Woo!” She squeaked.

Pinkie frowned. “I want a rematch… HEY!” Limestone interrupted her, scrubbing her mane with lathered tar soap. Pinkie protested her action, but Limestone ignored her as she hummed a tune. Maud did the same with Marble. Both twins gave a frown, crossing their arms in the process.

Maud and Limestone looked over their work, eyeing the tarnished silverware and worn porcelain pottery lying on the table. Seeing that all was in order, they nodded and walked into the kitchen. “Table is set,” Maud announced as she walked up to Pinkie.

“Mmm, stew smells yummy!” Limestone licked her lips as the aroma of cabbage stew entered her nostrils.

“I can’t wait to eat!” Pinkie giggled.

“Well, we might not get to if you make your mane a part of the stew.” Maud moved some of Pinkie’s straight magenta mane from her eyes. Pinkie rolled her eyes, giving her older sister a goofy smile. Maud let her dull lips turn into a small smile as she scratched her sister behind the ears.

Marble licked her lips as she wrapped up the spiced butter. “I’m starving….”

“We’ll eat soon.” Cloudy Quartz ran her hand through Marble’s mane. “We just have to wait for your Pa….” She checked the clock and saw it read 7:45pm.

“Pa’s a little late.” Limestone mused, kicking the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

“Did Pa have to work late again?” Marble asked, hugging her mother’s waist.

Cloudy Quartz returned the hug. “I’m not sure….”

A train roared down the tracks winding through the steep peaks of the Yellow Tail mountains. Igneous sat in one of the train cars near the rear. He held onto a bible as the cars bounced with the curvature of the tracks. Hearing the train’s horn screaming out its melody. He closed his bible and placed it in his coal-covered jacket. “It’s good to be home.”

The train pulled up to Ashmore’s train station. Steam poured across the station’s platform. Ponies waiting for the train covered their faces as the steam rolled on past them. Coming to a stop, the operator let off one last horn blare.

Stepping off the train, Igneous walked up to the edge of the deck and looked out over the town. Seeing the snow falling at a heavy pace onto the hilly landscape below, he let out a sigh. He watched his misty breath fade into the cold night air. “It’s a cold one….” He muttered to himself as he listened to the huffing and puffing of the steam for several seconds.

Breathing in the cold air, Igneous walked down the station’s steps and made his way to his home. The oil lamps dotting the streets guide the way. He enjoyed the picturesque scenery they created from how their lights reflected off the puddles. He always admired his hometown. Watching it grow from a fledgling village to a thriving coal-mining town with a population well over two thousand.

Trekking further into town, the cold air began to numb Igneous’s snout and hands. His clothes began to feel heavy from the snow clinging to the frayed fibers of the fabric. He shivered as he pushed on, allowing the quiet of the town to carry him. Nearing the main intersection, he turned left and headed up the hill. Seeing his home in the distance, he smiled as he picked up the pace, his walking turning into a light jog. Nearing his house, he saw his eldest daughter Maud walking up the porch’s steps with several small cut logs in her arms. “Hello, sweetheart, got a large load there?”

Maud looked over her shoulder. “Hello Pa, you look quite dirty.” She smiled. “Did a lot of coal mining this week?”

Igneous laughed. “Sure did, come, let’s head inside.” He held the door open for his daughter.

Cloudy Quartz and her daughters watched the stew simmer within the pot when they heard the front door open. “Hold on, dear, let me get the door for you.” A deep masculine voice echoed into the home. The family turned their attention to the door and saw Maud walk into the house carrying several logs with Igneous following after her. His bright yellow eyes stood out from his filthy appearance. Setting his lunch bin down, he leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees. “Oh colt, the rain is brutal.”

“How bad is it, dear?” Cloudy Quartz walked up to her husband, helping him out of his overcoat.

“Bad, when I arrived into town from the train station, the snowfall was heavy.” He took off his coat, the stench of coal floating off of him.

“Hello, Pa.” His children called out with smiles as they stood around him.

“Hello, fillies.” He gave them a small pat on the head, seeing that they were in their nightgowns for the evening. “I would hug you, but I think your Ma would get mad.” He teased, giving his wife a smirk.

They smiled at their father’s words, but their mother only sighed, putting her hands on her hips. “Go wash up. The faster you bathe, the sooner we can eat.” She returned the smirk. Their father smiled, handing over his hat to his wife before walking to the bathroom.

Pinkie scooped up a spoonful of her cabbage stew and gently put it in her mouth. She slowly chewed her meal as she eyed her family members from behind the protection of her long mane.

At the head of the table was her father and on his right was her mother. She watched their dull eyes read the day’s newspaper. Maud and Limestone sat opposite of her. Maud read a geography book, while Limestone read her piano music sheets. Marble sat to her left. She was also watching her family members from the protection of her mane.

Several violent coughs reverberated throughout the home. Igneous held a hand to his mouth. He sharply inhaled and let out a gut retching cough. The family watched him worryingly as he looked into his hand. Seeing blood mixed with black specs, Igneous smiled at his family as he stood up from the table. “Excuse me, my dears….”

Cloudy Quartz eyed her husband standing over the kitchen sink. Letting out a soft sigh, she looked at her daughters. She saw her three younger daughters staring at her with worry on their faces. On the other hand, Maud kept to herself as she ate her meal. She nodded her head at their meals, giving her younger daughters a smile. They gave into her command and returned to eating their supper.

Taking his seat once again, Igneous looked at his daughters and saw their worried faces. “You fillies ready for church tomorrow?” He asked with a bright smile trying to mask a subtle cough.

The sisters stopped eating. “Yes, Pa.” They turned their attention to their father.

“Pinkie and Marble practiced this morning at the school.” Cloudy Quartz hummed with a smile. “I believe they will do a wonderful job tomorrow.” She gave the twins a soft smile. They smiled back with a blush.

“Do you fillies like singing?” He asked the twins.

They nodded their heads quickly. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.” Pinkie smiled, expressing her statement by extending her arms out.

“It’s scary… though….” Marble added, tapping the table with her index fingers.

Their father chuckled, causing his baritone voice to reverberate throughout the house. “But you and your sister have sweet singing voices. Have faith in yourself, my dears.”

The twins blushed and gave their father small smiles. “Thanks, Pa.” They said in unison.

Ingenious returned their smiles as he looked at Limestone. “How have your piano lessons been going?”

“They’ve been going well, Pa.” Limestone replied.

“That’s good. Maud, how’s your schooling been?”

“It’s been good, Pa. My finals are coming up.” Maud closed her book. “Hoping to get a scholarship.”

“Which college are you looking to get into?” He asked.

“Um, I would like to get in into Hoofington University or Bodie college.” She smiled. “I can’t wait to get my degree in geology.” She sat her book on the table. “But I might have to plan my schooling out differently when I get married.”

“If he ever proposes?” Limestone teased.

Their mother rubbed her brow. “I’m sure he will when he’s ready.” She looked at her eldest. “And besides, I’ll help with your studies. I had to juggle childbearing, work, and college myself….”

Hearing several knocks, the family looked at the front door in confusion. Eyeing the clock, Igneous saw that it was almost eight-thirty at night. Getting up from his seat, he walked over to the door. Opening the door, he saw a stallion, thin in build with an ash-colored mane standing on his porch. “Granite, what are you doing out in this storm… especially at this time of night?”

The stallion gave a chuckle. “Well, it’s the storm itself, my friend.” He rubbed his hands together. “The telegraph lines aren’t working all that well.” He stepped up closer to Igneous and leaned against the step’s railing. “I have a message for the town from Dodge Junction.”

Igneous’s ears perked up. Granite was the town’s local telegraph monitor, the city’s only news source from the outside world. “Is there something wrong?”

Granite let out a sigh. “There’s been a rumor going around….” He saw his friend’s wife and children staring at them. “Can you shut the door?” Igneous nodded his head and complied with his request.

The sisters looked at each other with concern. Getting up from their seats, they stood next to the door to try and listen in on their father’s conversation. “Fillies, sit your butts down and finish your supper!” Their mother hissed, pointing at the table. The twins quickly obeyed and walked back to their seats with their tails tucked between their legs. However, Limestone and Maud stood in place, staring at the door, trying to make out coherent words from the muffled voices. “Fillies, sit down!” Their mother hissed once again, tapping a finger on the table. Maud and Limestone sighed in defeat. They walked back to their seats and grabbed their bowls lazily. Humming a tune and motioning to her daughters with a wave of her hand, they went back to eating their meal.

“Are you sure, Granite?”

Granite gave a sigh as he puffed on his cigar. “Yes.” He leaned against one of the wooden posts holding up the porch’s awning.

Igneous blew out a wad of smoke before placing his cigar back in his mouth. “Unicorpian troops have never gotten this far inland.” He blew out another wad of smoke. “Are the lines falling apart?”

Granite shrugged. “From the sounds of it, yes, but I’m not sure, sure. The last telegraph I got was from my brother. He told me that they were pushing them back over the old borders before this blasted war started.” He sighed. “I just wanted to pass the word onto you and the others in the town, just in case.” He stepped down from the porch. “Let’s hope it’s nothing.”

“We’re a coal mining town.” Igneous sighed. “If they’re getting this far inland with their blimps. We might be a target.”

“Let’s hope not.” Granite waved. “Goodnight, friend.”

“Goodnight.” Igneous watched the stallion jog off to the next home. Letting out a worrisome sigh, he walked back into his house. Stepping inside, the warmth of the fire soothed his numb nerves. With a whisper, he put his cigar out in an ashtray on the fireplace mantle and stood by the fire, warming his hands.

“What did Granite want?” Cloudy Quartz asked.

Igneous looked over his shoulders at his family. “Just to let us know that the telegraph lines are down tonight….” He turned around and walked up to the table. “And the state of the war.”

“Is it something we should worry about?” His wife asked.

“No… It's fine.” Looking at the clock, he cracked his knuckles. “Time for bed fillies.”

Maud’s younger sisters were upset by this. However, Maud stood up and clasped her hands together. “Come, let's get to bed….” She waved to her sisters to follow. “Goodnight Pa, Goodnight Ma.”

“Goodnight.” Her parents nodded their heads as they watched their daughters walk up the stairs.

With their children gone and out of hearing range, Cloudy Quartz held onto her husband’s hand. “How bad is it?”

Igneous sighed. “From the sound of it, the Southeastern lines are breaking.” Cloudy Quartz placed her hand over her mouth, muffling a gasp. Seeing the worry in her eyes, he put a hand under her chin. “Let’s not worry about it. Let’s head to bead as well. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

Pinkie laid next to Marble at the foot of their queen-sized bed. While Maud and Limestone lay beside each other at the head of the bed. Although small and lacking square footage, their room still held a long dresser, a toy chest, an oak desk, and two-night stands. A single window hung above the dresser, allowing the oil street lamps' dim light to flood into the room.

With sleep not embracing her, only worries about tomorrow and what it might bring, Mable rolled over on her side to face her twin. “Pinkie?”

Pinkie’s ears twitched from hearing her sister’s soft, timid voice. “Yeah?” She turned around, her blue eyes looking into Marble’s purple eyes.

“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Marble hugged her stuffed doll tight against her chest.

Pinkie shrugged her shoulders. “Kind of, but I think we’ll do good, Ma thinks we will. Besides, it’s just one song...”

Limestone listened to their conversation with a smirk as she stared at Maud through the dim light flooding into their room. With a stretch and a yawn, she turned over on her side. “Hey, Maud?”

“What?” Maud asked, not opening her eyes, her pillow consuming most of her head.

“When is your colt-friend going to propose to you?” She chuckled.

Maud blushed as her eyes opened wide with embarrassment. “Why would you bring this up tonight again?” She lifted her head, facing her sister with a confused stare.

“Well, you were gone all yesterday….” Limestone gave her sister a sly smile. “Just curious as to when you two will make it official already?”

Maud huffed. “There was school yesterday… That’s why I was gone most of the day!” She pulled her covers closer to her chin.

“Liar! School was let out early that day!” Limestone stuck out her tongue. Maud blushed. “So, when is he going to propose?”

“I-I don’t know….” Maud turned over, facing the wall to hide the redness that washed over her cheeks.

The twins looked at their older siblings with goofy smiles as they tried their best to hold in their laughter. “He’s taking forever!” Pinkie laughed. Limestone joined in their laughter.

Maud frowned at her sisters’ antics. “He sure is….” She mumbled, thinking of the colt.

Pinkie’s giggling stopped as a thought crossed her mind. “Well, you better get married soon.” She crossed her arms in a huff.

The giggles stopped as silence flooded the room. Maud’s face reddened further. “Why?’ She asked, concerned as to what answer Pinkie would give.

“Well, it's obvious, I’m ten years old!” Pinkie sat up, arms stretching out wide. “I’m not getting any younger. I mean, being an aunt at eleven or twelve will suck!” She whined, falling back onto her pillow. “I’ll be too old to have fun with my niece or ne-ne… Nefew?”

“Nephew.” Marble corrected.

Limestone lost it. Her laughter was so robust that she had to clutch her stomach. Maud’s redness increased as she placed her pillow over her head. A pathetic moan escaped her lips as she tried to muffle their laughter. Pinkie and Marble giggled uncontrollably from seeing their older sister’s reaction.

“FILLIES, GO TO BED!” Their father’s booming voice echoed from their parents’ room. As quickly as their laughing began, it stopped. They quickly got comfortable in their beds, allowing sleep to take over, all be it, very slowly. Some giggles slipped from their lips every so often until soon, they drifted off into a deep sleep.