Iron and Blood: We Dear Sisters

Placing a hand behind Marble’s back, Jupiter guided her up the concrete steps of the apartment building. Marble stared at the forty-five-story building as she walked alongside her new Mistress. Shivering from its grandness, she turned her attention to the twelve-foot-high glass double doors. She stared at her reflection and felt a heaviness on her chest as her hollowed and tired eyes glared back at her.

Seeing the filly’s reflection, Jupitar scratched the back of Marble’s ears. “It’s okay little one.” She hummed as she grabbed the door’s bronze handle. “Everything will be alright.”

Stepping into the building a chill ran throughout Marble’s body. It was cold. Colder than what was naturally possible. She began rubbing her arms as she looked around the sterile looking lobby. The marble tiles looked so white it almost looked unnatural. The massive glass chandelier that hung above her three stories up made the white painted walls shimmer from the glow of the yellow light of the many lightbulbs illuminating the lobby’s interior space.

“Ma’am?” Four security guards walked up to Jupiter and Marble. “Do you need help with your slave?” One of the guards asked.

“Yes, Indigo, that would be lovely.” Jupiter hummed with a smile as she gently pushed Marble over to the guard. “Please tell the groomers to dress her in something nice.” She smiled at Marble. “I want the full treatment. Those slave traders I bought her from did a terrible job on her appearance.”

“Don’t worry ma’am, we’ll let them know.” Indigo smiled. “As you know, Canterlot Lux has the best slave groomers around.” He bowed for her before waving to his guards to take Marble. Marble eyed the guards wearily as they approached her. One of the guards sighed to herself as she gently grabbed Marble by the hand and placed her other hand behind the filly’s back.

Watching his guards and Marble enter the service elevator, Indigo followed Jupiter to the residential elevators.

As they walked, Jupiter could feel the young stallion’s uneasiness. “Indigo?” She looked at him. “What’s bothering you?”

Indigo looked at the mare with dull eyes before sighing. “I thought you said one slave is all you needed?” He looked over at the service elevator. “I never took you as a mare to own multiple slaves?” He looked back at Jupiter. “What made you change your mind?”

“Well.” She began. “I thought my other slave was a little lonely, thought she could use the company.” She smiled. “And don’t you think a slave would rather be under my care than those savages out there?”

Indigo bit his lower lip. “True…. But why buy a slave now of all times?” He scratched the back of his head as they stood before the elevator. “What made her so special?”

Jupiter smiled as she patted the young stallion’s cheeks. “All in good time dear, all-in good time.” She hummed as she stepped into the elevator. Indigo raised a brow at her statement. He tilted his head and squinted his eyes trying to comprehend her statement.

“Ma’am?” The lift attendant asked. “What floor?”

“The twenty-fifth floor.” Jupiter stated smiling at the teen unicorn colt. The colt nodded while he pushed a button and pulled a lever. Before the elevator door’s closed Jupiter gave Indigo a wave.

Marble stood in the middle of the elevator with the guards surrounding her. She shivered as the moans of the elevator cables echoed into the musty smelling cage, she found herself in. Glancing up at one of the guards she saw that they kept their eyes forward, motionless and stern. Marble swallowed a lump in her throat as her mind raced with images of what awful things, they were going to put her through….

Marble felt the elevator jerk to a stop. She struggled to keep her balance at the sudden stop. Marble let out a soft squeak as one of the guards grabbed her by the hand. “Come.” The guard stated dully as she guided Marble into a large room about thirty feet in width and twenty feet in depth. The floor had an off-white marble floor with sandy-red marble trimmings. Ten halogen bulbs hung above as their soft white glow made the tone of the room feel slightly sterile.

“One more? Darn I was about to call it a day.” Marble turned her attention to a unicorn mare standing by a sink. The mare quickly shut off the faucet and walked up to her. Marble stared at this mare. She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Her stature was average for a unicorn mare, her light-blue fur stuck out in contrast to the room’s tan colored walls. Her short grey mane hugged the sides of her face highlighting her face’s round features. “She’s new, who does she belong to?”

“She belongs to Mrs. Jupiter.” The guard stated as she let go of Marble’s hand.

“Really?” The mare looked Marble over. Marble feeling uneasy bowed her head and averted her eyes. The mare bit her lip as she looked at the guard. “What does she want done to her?”

“Your best Tulip.” Indigo stated as he entered the room through the stair well. Marble looked up at the stallion as he approached the mare.

Tulip looked at the clock over the elevator. “You’re helping me then.” She sighed as she gave the stallion a dull stare.

“Sure….” He waved to his fellow guards to leave. They nodded and left using the elevator. Hearing the elevator ascend, Indigo looked at Tulip once more. “So where is everybody else?”

Tulip let out a huff as she walked up to her makeup table. “They all left for the day.” She looked back at the stallion. “They thought no more slaves would be sent down here.”

“So why did you stay?”

Tulip raised her brow. “Really, Indigo? You know why, the paycheck.” She skimmed through her supplies. “Going to get my full twelve hours.”

Indigo nodded. “I hear you.”

Tulip nodded as she looked at Marble. “Hey little one.” Marble timidly looked up at her. Tulip could see how timid she was. ‘What did they do to you?’ She thought to herself. “You see that stall over there?” Marble looked as where she was pointing and gave her a nod. “Go wash up, but make it quick. I need to pick out a simple dress for you and get your mane and tail done understand?” Again, Marble gave the mare a nod. “Good, now go!” Tulip snapped her fingers.

Marble shivered as she made her way to the shower stalls.

“What do you want me to do?” Indigo asked as he put his hands on his hips.

“Help me take her measurements.” She tilted her head over to the dresser on the back wall.

“And what will you do?” He asked.

“Look for a dress that goes well with her fur color.” She stated as she walked up to a dresser labeled with different sizes. She scanned the different boxes looking for a size that she believed was close to Marble’s. She opened one of its drawers and skimmed through the simple dresses that laid within.

“Why not wait for her to get out of the shower.” Indigo looked over the stall Marble had entered and saw the steam exiting from under the door. “If she finishes in time?”

“She will…. And these measurements are for Mrs. Jupiter. She needs to know her size if she wants to dress her slave nicely.” Tulip hummed as she pulled out several pairs of undergarments that looked to be Marble’s size. “Hearing pipes groan, Tulip smiled. “She’s finished.”

After a few minutes the stall’s door opened. Marble timidly stepped out of the shower and slowly made her way up to the unicorns. Staring at them she tried her best to keep her towel around herself. “What…. Um, what do you want me to do?”

Tulip smiled as she walked up to the scared filly. “First let me help you tighten this around you.” She grabbed her towel and reoriented it, making sure it was snug against her body. “Now stand still as he measures you.”

Marble blushed as she looked up at Indigo. Indigo sighed as he got on one knee. “Look let’s make this quick.” He quickly took her neck, waist, and hip measurements, all the while relaying the numbers to Tulip who was writing them down. Finishing up with her arms he stood up. “Now what do you want me to do?”

“Go stand behind that makeup table while she gets dressed.” Indigo gave her a look asking her if she was being serious. She frowned and snapped at him and pointed at the makeup table at the back of the room. Indigo put up his hands as he walked away.

Marble stared at herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back. She didn’t even notice the bags around her eyes or the emptiness they held. All she could do was stare at Tulip as she worked on her mane. The soft snipping of scissors as they cut through her long mane sent tiny shivers of delight. She always liked when her mother would do her and her sister’s manes.

The memories of her family brought a feeling of great despair. She felt her chest get heavy and she felt clammy. Her vision blurred as she tried to keep herself at ease. Tulip noticed her decaying state of mind and calmly scratched the back of her ears. “Could you hand me that bottle?” She asked as she pointed at the bottle in question.

Indigo grabbed the bottle and handed it to her “What’s that for?”

“Something to calm her stomach.” Tulip stated as she poured the pinkish liquid. “Here this will help you feel less nauseous.” Marble stared at the cup of medicine with hesitant eyes. Feeling her stomach twist itself into a knot, she accepted the medicine and allowed Tulip to give it to her.

Seeing Marble’s mood slowly returning to a state of normal, Indigo crossed his arms as he watched Tulip continue with her task. “I can’t believe Jupiter bought another slave.”

Tulip bit her lower lip as she combed out Marble’s mane. “Same, I’m a little shocked that she did.” She grabbed her spray bottle and wetting down Marble’s mane. “Did she say why?”

Marble’s left ear stood erect as she listened into their conversation.

“She said her other slave seemed to be lonely.” Indigo frowned as he messed with a can of mane-spray. “I just never took her to be a slave owner is all.”

“You thought she was like you?” Tulip stated flatly. She eyed her work and gave Marble’s mane a little bounce. Marble kept her eyes on the mirror. But she was soaking up every word they were saying. It felt strange to hear unicorns say they were against the thought of owning slaves…. ‘Are others like them?’ She wondered as she looked at him through the mirror,

Indigo frowned as he ran his fingers along the bottle of mane-spray. “Yes….” He saw Marble was staring. He couldn’t help that she looked quite funny the way she was looking at him. Marble noticed that he noticed and quickly diverted her eyes elsewhere.

“Everyone is not like you Indigo.” Tulip took out a can of face powder. She turned Marble around in her chair and began powdering her face with a light bluish grey complexion. A complexion that just highlighted her soft facial features.

“They should….” He sighed as he watched the cloud of makeup dust floating around Marble. Marble felt a tickle on her snout and sneezed. “Bless you.” Marble blushed as she looked at the stallion. Finding herself not being able to speak she only gave him a small nod as a thanks. Giving her a nod in return he looked at Tulip. “Do you like what you do?”

Tulip looked at the stallion a little stunned by his question. “Uh…. Yes, of course I do….”

“Please!” Indigo interrupted her, “Be honest with me. Be honest with yourself!” Do you really?” He waved at the room. “You’re stuck underground in a small ‘lavish’ space cleaning and preparing earth ponies like they’re someone’s pets for a measly salary!”

Tulip stared at the cotton disc in her hand. “It pays the bills….” She muttered to herself. “We have to do our part, follow the king’s laws….” Indigo grabbed her hand before she could start her work again. She shivered at his touch and forced herself to look at him.

“You know what we’re doing is wrong don’t you?” Indigo asked in a tone that sounded more like begging.

Tulip stared at the stallion before she yanked her arm from his grasp. “Yes…. But what you say could get us in trouble!” She glared at him before quickly losing her resolve. “We have to play out part…. For Unicorpia’s sake….” She put the disc and the powdered makeup on the table and stepped up to the sink.

Marble kept staring at herself through the mirror. Her mind raced over their conversation. Was it true? Did Indigo really hate the idea of owning slaves? Or was this some cure joke to trick her into thinking she was safe…. “She’s done. You can take her back to Mrs. Jupiter…. And make sure to give her the measurements.” Tulip stated flatly as she washed her hands.

Marble watched as Indigo let out a sigh, “Come.” He spoke as he stood up. “It’s time to take you to your mistress.”

“Mrs. Jupiter?” A filly no more than sixteen years old called out as she stepped up to the older mare who sat at a desk by the large glass window looking out at Downtown proper. “The mail was just delivered.”

Jupiter looked over her shoulders and saw her slave. She gave her a smile as she took the mail from her hands. “Thank you dear.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that’s all Octavia. You’re free to do as you please.” Jupiter hummed as she looked through her mail.

Octavia bowed as she left the room.

Jupiter hummed to herself as she went through the mail. Seeing a red colored envelope, she sat down the rest of her mail and eyed the parcel. ‘1256 East Long Tail Lane, Manehattan.’ She kept reading the address, ‘could it be?’ She asked herself as she went to open the mail…. Hearing a knock at her front door she dropped the letter on the desk. “Hold on!”

“I got it!” Octavia shouted as she grabbed the doorhandle. Opening the door Octavia saw Indigo standing with an earth pony filly. Octavia tilted her head. This filly had to be no more than eleven or twelve years old. But what confused her the most about the filly is how her fur and mane color was so similar to hers. “Um… Hi indigo.” She bowed slightly for the young stallion. She noticed that the filly was staring at her. She felt slightly uncomfortable by her gaze and so she returned her stare. The filly averted her eyes as she too felt slightly uncomfortable.

Getting to the door Jupiter saw Indigo and Marble and smiled. “Tulip did such a fine job.”

“You could tell?” Indigo smirked.

“I can tell her work from a mile away.” Jupiter patted Octavia on the head. “Octavia here always goes to her. There is no one else I trust than her.” She smiled at Marble. “How are you? Feeling refreshed?” Marble didn’t respond as she tried to hide behind her short mane much to her dismay of failing to hide from the world. “She’s shy isn’t she.” Jupiter hummed as she pulled out some bits from her breast pocket. “Here’s your tip.” She handed them to Indigo. “Could you take her into the kitchen and get her a glass of water.” She looked at Octavia.

Octavia bowed and took Marble’s hand and lead her into the apartment.

“Ma’am?” Indigo looked at the coins in his hand. “Why did you buy her?”

Jupiter sighed as she pat his hand. “I can’t say, not yet?”

“What do you mean?” He tilted his head.

“Does the mood of our empire feel different to you?” She asked with a smile.

“A little.” He crossed his arms. “It’s feels war weary. Why do you ask?”

“Because I feel change is coming.” She smiled as she pat his cheek. “Give me six months and I’ll tell you more.” She started closing the door. “The others need more time.”

Indigo looked at the mare with questioning eyes. “Others? What? Why won’t you elaborate?” He placed a hand on the door stopping her. “You don’t trust me?”

“I do trust you.” Jupiter sighed. “But your role is not needed at the moment.” She gave him a wink. “Now run off, I’ll ring you if I need you.”

Indigo nodded as he slowly understood her words. “Will do ma’am.” He bowed and walked away.

Seeing a little pip in his step, Jupiter smiled as she closed the door. Walking through an archway that connected the dining room/kitchen to the living room, she saw Marble sitting at the table slowly drinking her glass of water. Octavia stood at the island watching her with crossed arms. “Thirsty?” She asked Marble as she watched her finish off her glass.

Marble smacked her lips as she stared at her. “Y-Yes…” She looked at her empty cup.

“What’s your name little one?” Jupiter asked as she stood beside her.

“Marble.” She held the glass close to the chest.

“What a lovely name.” Jupiter smiled. “You done?” Marble nodded. “Place it in the sink, I want you to give you a tour of the place.” Jupiter waved her hand as she left the kitchen and into the hall.

Marble got up from her seat and placed the cup in the sink. Feeling like knives were digging into the back of her skull, she looked to her right and saw Octavia giving her a stern glare. Shivering she walked up to Jupiter.

“Come, follow me.” Jupiter waved. Marble wrapped her tail in front of her as she timidly followed the mare down the hall. Octavia placed her hands behind her back and followed them.

“Well, this is your room.” Jupiter hummed as she walked up to the windows.

Marble stared into the spacious abode and studied the décor. She saw a queen-sized bed with light blue comforter and white bedsheets in the middle of the room, flanked by nightstands made of dark oak. She saw a medium sized walk-in closet on her right. A table with a typewriter sat near the windows. A large oval shaped mirror was to her left in the corner of the room.

Stepping into the room further, Marble stopped and jumped back and looked down at her hooves. She saw the floor was covered by soft textured carpet. It felt strange standing on it. It felt like what clouds would feel like if she could stand on them. She ran her hoof along the carpet. Her left ear folded against her head as she pondered an opinion of the fabric.

“Never had carpet?” Jupiter asked, smiling at her behavior.

Marble looked up at the mare and shook her head.

Octavia seeing her in her room, frowned. “Why is she in my room?” She asked as she caught up to them and shoved Marble to the side with her hips. Marble let out a soft huff. She frowned as she looked at the teen filly. Octavia ignored her as she stared at her mistress.

“You’ll be sharing until we can get the other room ready.” Jupiter hummed. “Understood?” She placed a hand under Octavia’s chin.

Octavia dropped her stern expression. It’s like she melted from the mare’s touch. “Yes…” She softly replied as she looked away.

“Good.” Jupiter opened the blinds allowing the afternoon light to flood into the room.

Marble and Octavia blinked at the bright light. Marble rubbed her eyes as she slowly walked up to the windows. “Wow!” Marble sighed in awe as she looked over the cityscape.

Jupiter smiled as she saw Octavia stand behind Marble and joined her. “As you can see, the city is a busy one.”

“They look like ants, don’t they?” Octavia asked as she pointed at the city streets. Marble stared at the multitude of bodies moving across the sidewalks and the small haze blobs of cars and trucks rolling across the streets. Marble tore her eyes from the streets and looked up at Octavia and gave her a nod. Octavia smiled at patted her on the head.

“Come. Let me show you the rest of the apartment.” She placed a hand on Octavia’s shoulder. “Take her hand.” She commanded Marble.

Marble stared at Octavia. She shivered as she stared at her bright pinkish-purple eyes. Octavia rolled her eyes as she offered her, her hands. “I promise you. I don’t bite.” She smirked. Marble’s expression turned from hesitant to determine as she took her hand. “Good, now let’s go.”

Octavia led Marble as they followed Jupiter through the apartment. Marble young eyes soaked up as much as she could of its floorplan… just in case. Hearing the mare speaking, Marble turned her attention to her.

“The room on your left is your personal bathroom, which you’ll be sharing with Octavia.” Jupiter saw Octavia roll her eyes half-heartly. ‘Not one for sharing, are we.’ She held in a laugh. “On your right is my husband’s study and at the end of the hall is our room.” Marble looked in between the room, trying to remember as much detail as she possible could. Hearing a growl, Marble blushed and looked down at her belly.

“Hungry?” Jupiter asked.

Marble looked up at the mare, her face red as lobster. “Yes…”

“Well then, lets get something in your stomach.” Jupiter took Marble’s hand and walked her back into the kitchen. Helping her sit at the bar, Jupiter walked up to the fridge. “What do you feel like having?” She smiled. “I have some wonderful alfalfa left I could fry it up for you?”

Marble stared at the mare confused by the kind gesture she’s showing. Feeling a glare, she turned around and saw Octavia staring back at her with crossed arms. “Sure…” She shivered as she looked back at the mare. Her tail swung side to side.

“Good… Octavia could you get the oil ready.” Jupiter asked as she battered the hay.

Octavia nodded as she put a pot on the gas stove and filled it with several cups of vegetable oil. Marble watched the two as they worked. She felt clammy as she quickly eyed the door. Seeing a chain, Marble shivered as her mind swam with thoughts of escaping. The first step was easy, but where to go after she left the apartment, was a mystery for her. ‘What am I going to do?’

“Everything alright?” Jupiter asked as she dunked the battered alfalfa into the hot oil.

Marble’s ears swiveled to the sounds of the oil scalding the hay. Looking at the pot the smells of the cooking meal entered her nostrils. She instinctively licked her lips as she kept watching.

“I think she’s hungry?” Octavia crossed her arms.

“I think this will be first time in a long time she has had a proper meal.” Jupiter studied her thin frame. “I couldn’t imagine what she’s been through.”

Octavia nodded her head. Seeing Marble giving them a confused look, she rolled her eyes. “Still need my help?”

“No, dear, you can go to your room.” Jupiter waved a hand as she took the fired hay out of the oil. Octavia bowed, giving Marble a quick dull glance, she flicked her tail and left the kitchen.

“Here you go a little snack before supper.” Jupiter sat the plate of fired alfalfa before Marble. Marble stared at the meal before her. Her eyes were so wide, Jupiter swore they would pop out of her eye sockets. Timidly Marble picked up a strand of the fired hay and studied its lightly battered skin. She saw the black specks of peppers and spices. Shivering from her stomach begging for food, she placed the piece in her mouth.

She let out a soft hum as she started shoving more into her mouth. “Somepony is hungry?” Jupiter laughed at her mannerisms. Marble stopped eating and blushed as she stared at her food and the mare. “Don’t mind me little one, keep eating…” Hearing the phone she let out a small sigh. “I’ll be right back.”

Hearing her pick up the phone, Marble turned her attention back to the plate and quietly resumed eating her meal.

Picking up a strand of fried alfalfa, Marble studied it. The batter coating it looked like a stick of foam found in a tacky sofa. She eyed the many hills and valleys of the batter to pass the time. Hearing the ticking of the clock echoing in her ears, she looked over at the door and stared at the chain keeping the door closed. Her thoughts drifted to her family… To Pinkie. Her cries playback in her mind. Shivering she placed the fry back on the plate.

Looking at the door, a tinge of fear began to take hold. Looking back at her meal once more, she frowned and jumped off the stool and runs up to the door. Getting to the door she unlocked the deadbolt, but seeing the chain was out of reach, she let out a whining growl and jumped several times in a desperate hope to nudge the chain free from its perch.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Marble felt a cold sweat wash over her. She slowly turned to face Octavia who was standing in the archway that led into the hallway. Her scowl was feicre as she crossed her arms while slowly approachint her. “Trying to escape?”

Her tone scared Marble. The fear washing over her caused her to slowly back away from the door. “Um…” She struggled to reply before she let out a moan as she bumped up against the coffee table close to the couch.

Octavia walked up to the door and placed a hand on it. “You’re not leaving!”

Memories of her sister Pinkie crying out as she was dragged from the platform flashed in her mind. “I…” She balled her hands into a fist. “I need to find my sister!” Octavia was taken back by her tone. Her scowl softened, but she found it hard to come up with words to say.

“I’m sorry little one.” Jupiter stepped into the room from the hall. “I tried to by the both of you.” She sighed as she patted Octavia on the head. “But that blasted stallion got on that platform first.” She made her way over to Marble.

Marble panicked and plastered herself against the corner. Jupiter sighed as she sat on the couch and stared at the filly watching her fearful eyes jump back n’ forth between her and Octavia. Leaning her elbows on her knees, she opened the drawer to the side table and pulled out a tin of candied almonds. “I know you’re confused, frightened even.” She opened the tin can and pulled out an almond. “You’re wondering why would a unicorn like me be treating an earth pony like you so kindly?” She plopped it in her mouth and took out another one, offering it to Marble.

Marble stared at the treat in the mare’s hand. Her mouth felt dry at the sight of the candied nut. Her body shivered at the thought of reaching out for one. But her fear told her no, she stayed glued to the corner, staring at the almond.

Jupiter put the almond back and slowly closed the lid to the can. “Sweetie, I would let you go, but I can’t.” She shook her head. “One, it wouldn’t be irresponsible of me to do so, you’re not of legal age to be by yourself and you’re not a freed slave. Which is hard to do with the current laws on the books. And two, even if you’re out there you don’t know where to start.”

“I can find her!” Marble cried as she pressed against the wall.

“You can’t!” Octavia spat; she was about to continue with her beratement but a stern glare from her mistress silenced her.

“Sweetie, its not safe, not yet.” Jupiter gave her a warm smile. “You’re safe here.”

Marble stared into her eyes. Those eyes of hers shook her to the core. Her body shivered and she felt warm. “Why?” She smacked her drying lips.

“Why?” Jupiter raised a brow.

“Why are you doing this?” Tears began to flood Marble’s eyes.

“Oh, little one…”

“Why are you trying to trick ME?” Marble shouted out her sobbing. Tears ran down her face as she huddled against the corner.

Jupiter sighed as she slowly approached the timid filly. Marble panicked and cowered onto the floor. Jupiter stopped, “There is no need to be afraid,” She sat on the floor beside her.

Octavia stared at her mistress and Marble; she crossed her arms as she leaned against the wall. Seeing how timid Marble was, she rolled her eyes and let out a soft sigh.

The weight of the past few weeks finally overwhelmed her. Marble’s surrendered to her emotions and her new place in life. She laid on the floor and curled up into a ball. Jupiter let out a sigh as she listened to her cries. She slowly crawled up to the filly and pulled her into a loving embrace. “Settle down little one…” She cooed.

“Let… go…” Marble cried.

“Get ahold of yourself!” Jupiter chastised. “You need to be strong child. Your future depends on it!” Marble gave one last attempt to break from her hold but she finally gave up and fell into the mare’s embrace. Her face burying into the mare’s breast. Jupiter looked down at the sobbing filly and let out a long sigh. “What did they do you?”

-Several Hours Later-

“You have a goodnight, sir!” A taxi driver shouted at a lanky unicorn stallion.

“You too!” The stallion replied.

Watching the putter-car disappeared into the night, the stallion let out a long sigh and walked into the apartment. Stepping inside the cold air of the central air-conditioning system washed over him, making his fur stand on end. “It’s been a humid day hasn’t it, Ceres?” A guard stated as he walked up to the stallion.

“Yes, it has Indigo, very unusual for early summer.” Ceres replied, shaking Indigo’s hand.

“How’s work?” Indigo asked as he walked with the stallion to the elevators.

“Very bland,” Ceres mumbled, “This whole week will be.” He stopped at the elevator’s entrance. “The university is fixing the telescope which is forcing me to teach through books.” He ran a finger across his brow. “Young minds have a hard time sticking to one thing.”

Indigo shook his head. “Sorry my generation is not performing to your standards.”

“I still have hope some will prove me wrong.” Ceres smiled as he stepped into the elevator. “Goodnight Indigo, see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight to you sir and your wife.” Indigo bowed.

“Sweetheart? I’m home.” Ceres called out as he stepped into his abode. Seeing Octavia sitting on the couch, he smiled as he walked up to her. “Hello, Octavia, how’s your day been?” He rustled her mane.”

Octavia didn’t look up from her book. “It was interesting.”

“Interesting? How so?”

“Shh!” His wife hissed from the hall. “Inside voices.”

Ceres gave her a confused look, “Why do you want me to? Oh!” Her words began to make sense. “How many?”

“One…” Jupiter sighed. “I tried to get her sister, but I was too late.”

“Its alright.” He smiled. “At least you got one.”

She nodded. “Her name is Marble. She’s eleven.” She leaned against the wall. “She needs a lot of work. The camp she came from scared her.”

“We’ll make it work.” He leaned on the door as well. “She’ll be a great addition to the organization.”

“I don’t think so?” Octavia added without looking up from her book.

“Why do you say that?” Jupiter asked.

Octavia put her book down. “I…” She fidgeted with her mane. “I’m not sure she will be fully on board?”

“She will.” Jupiter looked at her husband. “Want to see her?” He nodded. Octavia watched them walked to her room. Looking down at her book, she stared at the wall of words and let out a heavy sigh.

Ceres slowly opened the door and peaked into the room. The light from the hall flooded into the room, illuminating the space just enough to see Marble sleeping soundly in the bed she shared with Octavia.

Jupiter watched her husband’s giddy behavior for a few minutes before her emotions changed for the worse. Her chest gelt tight, her vision began to fill with tears. Not wanting to worry her husband she silently went to their room and gently closed the door.

Leaning against the door, she swallowed her emotions before making her way to the bedside table. Sitting on her side of the bed, she opened the nightstand’s top drawer. Pulling out a picture, she stared at an image of her and her husband holding a four-year-old earth pony filly in their arms. Tears rolled down her face as she ran a finger across the photograph. “The time for change is approaching…” She wiped her eyes. “And you’ll never be forgotten.” She kissed the photograph. “We love you, sweetie, we love you.” She clutched the picture to her chest and laid on the bed in the fetal position.