Iron and Blood: We Dear Sisters

Limestone mindlessly walked down the dirt road that cut along the outskirts of town. She was in the foothills, high above Ashmore. She looked out over the town. She always liked its humbleness. It rarely saw its fair share of ruff housing for a busy coal-mining town. The locals made sure they kept it that way.

Checking to see if she had everything in her saddlebag, she smiled as she continued down the dirt road.

Nearing her destination, she walked up the wooden steps of an aged and tattered porch of a single-story home that’s seen better days. Knocking on the door, Limestone placed her folder over her chest and waited. Hearing the locks unlatched themselves, she watched the door swing inward, revealing an elderly mare in her late seventies. Her glasses were large and thick. Her skin sagged around her face making her have a permanent dull expression. “Oh, Limestone, how are you?”

“Doing well, Miss. Daisy.” Limestone said, her raspy voice cracking.

“You’re growing up into a young mare you are.” Miss. Daisy commented as she stepped to the side to allow Limestone in. “How old are you again?”

“Thirteen.” Limestone walked up to the piano.

“Oh, you make me feel old filly. When I met you, you were just eight years old….” She walked into the kitchen. “Do you want a snack?”

If on cue, her stomach growled. “Um, sure…” Limestone blushed. Miss. Daisy smiled and waved for her to follow her into the kitchen.

Pinkie and Marble walked alongside their parents as they walked down Ashmore’s main street. Pinkie sang a tune to herself as she stared at the mountain peaks in the distance. Their peaks covered in pristine snow. Seeing some birds flying overhead, she looked up and dreamed of being with them. Flying high above the town, free from the ground… Like Pegasi…

“Whatcha looking at?” Marble asked.

“Just some birds.” Pinkie pointed at the sky.

Marble stared up at the birds and smiled. “Let me guess, you were thinking of flying like them?” Pinkie nodded. “You know we’re Earth Ponies, right?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “I know…” She frowned as she looked at her hooves.

Igneous grabbed his daughters’ hands. “Be proud that you’re an Earth Pony!” He swung their arms as they walked. “There is nothing I’d rather be than one.”

The twins eyed their father, their minds mulling over his words. “We will, Pa!”

Cloudy Quartz hummed as she looked at her daughters. “That’s my fillies.” She looked up and saw their next shop on the list. “Here we are….” Stepping into the bakery, they saw Mrs. Cake going through some paperwork at the counter. Cloudy Quartz smiled as she walked up to the mare. “Did you have a good morning Mrs. Cake?” She asked as she placed a basket on the counter.

Mrs. Cake looked up from her work and smiled at the family. “Oh yes, it was a rather good morning. Sold about 65% of our morning run.” She looked at the twins and gave them a playful smile. “How are you two doing this morning?”

“Doing good!” Pinkie giggled as she hung onto Marble, much to her dismay.

“D-Doing good…” Marble mumbled.

Cloudy Quartz patted her daughters on the head. “You can go look around.”

Pinkie squeaked out a bout of joy as she dragged Marble over to the window, looking into the bakery’s kitchen.

Mrs. Cake watched them as they stared at her husband working on a batch of chocolate chip cookies. “It seems like they're always fascinated by our baking.” She looked at their mother. “Are they the same with you?”

Cloudy Quartz smiled as she adjusted her bonnet. “Oh, very much so. They love helping me whenever I’m cooking.”

Mrs. Cake’s smile disappeared as she realized her bonnet was missing from her head. “Oh, I’m sorry….” She picked up hers that rested behind the cash register. “I forgot I took it off….” She tied its straps.

Igneous waved a hand. “No worry, Mrs. Cake. Unlike most stallions, it doesn’t bother me.” He laughed. “Just be glad you’re not a zebra mare living in Zebrin….” He frowned. “Zebra stallions would stone you for not wearing your headdress in public….” He stared off into space. “Savages…” He walked away from the counter towards the center of the store.

The twins watched their father with concern.

Mrs. Cake looked at the stallion with a raised brow.

Seeing her confusion, Cloudy Quartz gave a long sigh. “He fought in the Zebrin-Earthen War.”

“I didn’t know your husband fought in that war?” Mrs. Cake looked over at Igneous, watching him pull out a cigar from his breast pocket. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked as she picked up a clipboard.

Cloudy Quartz ran her hand along her brow. “There are days I would like to forget he did….” She looked over at her husband. He paced back n’ forth as he tried to light his cigar. “The war did more harm to him than it did him good.” She removed the blanket from atop the basket. “I just wish the government would raise his benefits to compensate for what he went through.”

Sensing that the conversation had nothing to do with them, the twins go back to watching Mr. Cake putting a batch of cookies in the brick oven.

Mrs. Cake nodded. “I hear you… My husband barely gets enough for his service in the navy.” Cloudy Quartz hummed, acknowledging her words. With a smile, she reached into the basket and pulled out a slice of chocolate-strawberry cake. “What’s this?” Mrs. Cake wondered, her eyes staring at the plate displaying the dessert.

“Oh, just something I made for my eldest and her fiancé.” She gave the slice to the mare. “They’re getting married.”

Mrs. Cake smiled. “Finally, I was wondering when they would make it official.” She took a small bite of the dessert. She hummed, enjoying the light chocolatey textures and the richness of the strawberry filling. Smiling, she swallowed and wiped some frosting away from her lips. “How’s she holding up?”

“Oh, what am I going to do?!” Maud whined as she ran her hands down her face.

Cheerilee skeptically watched the emotional teenage filly pace around her classroom. “Maud, relax.” She tapped a stack of papers against her desk. Hearing the filly moan, she sighed and set them in a basket. “I think taking your mind off the wedding for today will be good for you.” She gave a smile. “Why don’t you take a seat and help me with tomorrow’s lessons?”

“I can’t!” Maud cried. “I need to still pick out a dress! Make reservations for the ceremony and the hotel! Pick out food! Flowers!” She pulled on her bonnet’s brim. “What was I thinking! I’m only sixteen! I can’t be getting married!” She looked out the window and stared at the passing clouds. “I didn’t even finish my schooling….” She bit her lower lip. “I can still finish it, but it's going to be hard when I start a family!”

Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “Have you told your parents how you’re feeling?”

“NO!” Maud whipped her head around to face her boss. Her left eye twitched all the while.

Cheerilee bit her lower lip as she slowly stood up. “Well, I think you should tell them.” She calmly stated, making sure to not agitate Maud.

“I can’t! I need to look mature….” Maud groaned. “I am mature! I’ve always been calm and collected.” She began to cry. “This is not like me!”

“Maud! Calm yourself!” Cheerilee walked over to the scared filly.”

“But! But… !” Maud looked at Cheerilee’s hand over her mouth.

“But nothing!” She rubbed her thumb under Maud’s eyes, wiping away her tears. “You’re not married yet. So, you still have time to enjoy being single.” She gave her a playful smirk. “You’re not a mare yet.” She lifted her chin. “So, enjoy it while it lasts.” Maud returned her smile and rubbed her cheeks in her mentor’s palm. “Now, let’s get these lessons prepared.” Cheerilee sat back down at her desk. “Monday is going to be a hectic day for us.” Maud nodded, taking her seat next to her.

A ruby rock sat under the harsh glare of a halogen bulb. The heat from the bulb warmed its crystalline structure. A diamond-coated carving knife neared the gem. Its tip pressed against its skin. A high-pitched scratch echoed in Obsidian’s ears as he ran the tool across the gemstone. Scoring the rock, he sat down his tool and picked up another. Flipping a switch, the pneumatic bit spun at high RPMs.

“Whatcha working on?”

Obsidian stopped his drilling. “Making a ring.” He looked at his sister. “For Maud.”

“You didn’t make the wedding ring yet?” Her eyes still staring at the uncut stone.

Obsidian stared at his sister’s red-colored eyes. “Had to make sure she said yes, Ruby.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “Come on!” She groaned. “It was a given she would say yes!” She crossed her arms and laid her head on them. “You two were glued to the hips ever since you met!”

Obsidian smiled as he remembered the first time he met Maud. He was thirteen at the time. His parents had moved to Ashmore from Fillydephia. His father wanted a change of pace from the crazy city life. Granted, moving to a small mining town to open up a jewelry shop seemed like a terrible idea, but his father lucked out. The coal mine happened to strike a vein of gemstones, and with his father’s wheeling and dealing tactics, his father worked out a deal to secure the gemstones. How he did still amazed Obsidian. His father had a way with words.

It was his second week living in Ashmore when he laid eyes on Maud. He saw her with her sisters at the soda shop. She was twelve at the time, and something about her made his heart skip a beat.

He managed to work up the courage to walk up to her. At first, her dull demeanor was intimidating. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. What her mood was. But he lucked out when she wanted to be friends.

And as their friendship blossomed, so did their feelings for one another.

Finding out that she loved him like he did, brought him joy. But if he thought her dull demeanor was a hurdle to get through, her father was almost an impossible mountain to cross. He had to work day and night to prove that his love for Maud was serious to the stubborn stallion. He finally got the point across after two years of dating Maud.

Obsidian laughed as he looked at the gemstone through the magnifying glass. And now he was getting married. He and Maud would no longer be just a dating couple but husband and wife. “Yeah, I guess it was obvious.”

“Well, duh!” Ruby stood up and walked down the hall. “You better make it look good!” She headed up the stairs.

“Make what look good?” Rose Sapphire walked into the room. “What are you to talking about?” She looked at the ruby stone under the light. “Making her wedding ring?” She hummed as she leaned on the table.

Obsidian felt his cheeks blush. “Yeah.” He picked up the gemstone. “I hope she likes it.”

“Oh, she will.” Rose Sapphire kissed her son on the cheek. “If you need us, I’ll be in the storefront with your father helping customers.” She left the room.

Obsidian watched his mother greet a couple at the door. Looking back at his ruby stone, he smiled as he placed it under the light and picked up his tool. Hearing heavy hoof steps going down the stairs, he saw his sister running down the hall. “Where are you going?”

“Heading to the school to get help from Miss. Cheerilee.!” Ruby giggled as she headed for the exit.

Obsidian chewed his cheek as he turned back to his work. “Just don’t teel her about the ring….” Ruby stuck out her tough as she left their home. Obsidian groaned as he returned to his work.

“Excellent job on your performance, sweetie.” Miss. Daisy commented as she walked Limestone out of her home.

“You think I did well?” Limestone asked as she held her folder containing her music sheets to her chest.

“You’re improving faster every day.” She smiled as she leaned on her cane. “If You keep it up at this rate, I might run out of lessons.”

Limestone smiled. “Thank you.” She giggled. “I want to be able to play at my sister’s wedding!”

Miss. Daisy’s eyes went wide. “She’s finally getting married.” She laughed. “About time that colt proposed!” She tapped her cane on her porch. “I’m sure you’ll play wonderfully.” She hugged Limestone.

Limestone returned the hug and headed into town. “See you on Wednesday!” She waved goodbye. Miss. Daisy returned the wave before heading back inside.

Heading into town, Limestone hummed a tune as she walked down the dirt trail. The sun felt wonderful. Her fur stood on end as its warmth radiated throughout her body. Letting out a pleased sigh, she headed to the south side of town.

Stepping onto the gravel-covered road, she walked down a narrow street barely large enough for a single putter wagon. Hugging close to the shops' verandas hugging the street, she held her bonnet to her head from the winds kicked up by passing wagons. Seeing her destination, she smiled as she stepped up onto the veranda and into the shop.

The wood floorboards creaked under her weight as she stepped into the cozy little soda shop. Holding her folder close to her chest, she took her seat at the bar. The soda jerk looked up from her work. “Limestone!” She laughed. “You finished with your lessons?”

“Yep!” Limestone replied, setting down her folder. “How’s your day been, Sandy?”

She hummed as she filled up a glass with three scoops of mint ice cream. “Good, it’s the early afternoon, so not too busy!” She poured in some milk and placed it under a hand-cranked mixer. “What about you? Did your lesson go well?”

Limestone rested her head in her hands. “Yeah, learning new notes and stuff. The usual.” She eyed the mixer as it did its magic.

Sandy giggled. “And the usual for you.” The older teen laughed as she set the malt in front of Limestone. Limestone picked up a spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and took a bite. “So, what’s happening with your sisters?”

“Nothing much.” Limestone stated flatly. “The twins are their quirky selves. And well as for Maud, her colt-friend just proposed.”

“You’re kidding?” Limestone shook her head. “I was wondering when they would make it official.” She hummed to herself as she opened a bottle of root beer. “So, when’s the wedding?”

“A month away.” Limestone took another bite.

Sandy held her bottle for a toast. Limestone tapped her bottle with her glass as they let out a laugh. Sandy looked around her shop as she drank her soda. Eying some young teen colts over by the aged billiard table, she smirked as she looked at Limestone. “So, what about you. Find any colts that catch your heart?” She asked.

Limestone choked on her bite. Her cheeks turned cherry red as she glared at her. “S-Sandy!” She coughed. “WHAT?”

Sandy laughed. “Just asking?” She nodded her head at the group of colts.

Limestone looked over at the colts with watery eyes. She saw a colt with orange fur and a white mane smack the cue ball at the striped eleven ball. He looked up, watching if his hit struck true when he laid eyes on her. He stared at her for some time before giving her a little wave and a blushed smile.

Limestone blushed and hid behind her bonnet’s brim. “Sandy, I hate you!” Sandy just rolled her eyes as she walked to the back of the bar. “I’m only thirteen. I’m not ready for a colt-friend!”

“I had one at your age,” Sandy commented as she cleaned some glasses. “Even married the rascal.” Limestone groaned as she buried her face in her arms. “Don’t you want to get married? Start a family?”

Limestone groaned. “No, not really. I’m not like my sisters.” She fixed her skirt. “I would like to travel the world playing piano at famous concert halls and stuff before I settle down.”

Sandy sighed. “You know that’s not what is expected of us.” She removed her bonnet to scratch her mane. “Motherhood is essential for a mare. It’s what God commands us to do. It’s what our Republic expects us to do.” Seeing some looks from a group of older stallions at the end of the shop, she huffed as she put her bonnet back on her head. “If we do have careers, they must not overshadow our main objective in life.”

Limestone huffed as she swirled her malt around. “Yeah… My Ma tells me the same thing.”

Sandy watched her solemn expression. “Who knows, by the time you’re of marrying age, things might be different.” She looked at the older stallion. “If it does.” Limestone looked up and only gave her a nod in response.

Maud mulled over tomorrow’s multiplication and division questions. The pencil in her hand’s scratched on the paper as she rearranged the order of the questions.

Cheerilee stood by the blackboard, decorating it for tomorrow. The stick of chalk grinded against the black slate.

Maud’s ears twitched at the scratching stick of calcium carbonate. She looked up and watched her mentor expertly move the stick across the blackboard. She pictured herself in her hooves. Herself holding the chalk. Teaching a group of students’ Geology in her own classroom. Hearing another screech, she ground her teeth. “How long does it take to get used to that sound?”

Cheerilee giggled as she colored in a multiplication sign. “It took about a year for me, but there are days where it still annoys me.”

Maud rubbed her ears. “Sounds exciting!” She stated in mock horror.

Cheerilee rolled her eyes.

“Hello? Miss. Cheerilee, are you here?” Ruby called out, sticking her head into the room. Seeing Maud, she giggled as she waved. “Hello, future sister!”

“Hello, sis,” Maud smirked.

Cheerilee looked over her shoulder. “You can come in, dear.” Ruby nodded, stepping into the classroom. “What is it that you need?” She set down her chalk and walked up to the filly.

“Well… I was wondering if you could help me with Friday’s math homework?” She asked, placing her booklet on the desk.

Cheerilee raised her brow. “You haven’t completed your homework?”

Ruby shook her head. “No, I have finished my homework. I just wanted to make sure I did it right?”

Cheerilee shook her head. “Well, you’re in luck! Pull up a chair, and your future sister-in-law will help you.” She walked back to the blackboard and gave the filly a goofy grin.

Ruby giggled at her teacher’s manners. Placing her booklet on Maud’s table, she pulled up a chair and took a seat next to her. Picking up her booklet, Maud turned to the marked pages and looked over the work. Picking up a red colored pencil, she made a couple of marks.

“Maud?”

“Yeah?” She replied, not looking up from her task.

“Are you looking forward to the wedding?” Ruby rocked back n’ forth in her chair.

Maud moved her gaze from the booklet. “Yes… I’m just a little nervous, but I’ll be fine.” She gave the filly a smile. “What about you?”

Ruby watched the fan blades above her spin slowly. “Yeah!” She smiled wide. “I will finally have a lot of sisters!”

Maud giggled at her words. With a smile, she rustled Ruby’s mane through her bonnet. “Well, I can guarantee you’ll enjoy having them as your sisters too.”