A Story About Bubbles

It turned out to be a late night, but then again birthdays always are. Dinky was finally turning 10... soon enough, she'd be getting her cutie mark! Derpy was so tearful at the thought of her little filly growing up... but she couldn't show it. All that was left was to tuck Dinky in, then she could go pass out with a smile on her face... and maybe a muffin or two in her belly.

"Mmmm... muffins..."

"What mommy?"

Oops. She'd almost forgoten what she was doing in the first place! Tucking Dinky in! She looked back down to her filly. Oh, she was growing up! And growing so well! Her horn was almost full sized... soon she'd be learning magic! Derpy had to get Twilight to teach her little filly how to do all of her tricks. She knew so much, and Derpy knew her little filly could learn even more! Oh, what if she taught her a muffin making spell? Or how to make grass into muffins?!? Or how to tur-

"MOM!"

Oops. "Im sorry sweetheart. Mommies tired. It was a big day for you today! I'm surprised you have any energy left!"

It was a fantastic party! All her friends had come, Pinkie Pie had done the decorations... And then the... what were they calling themselves? The cutie-mark crusaders? They came and gave dinky a membership to their little society. They were so cute, turning up in their the little capes, trying to look serious, barely containing grins. Derpy thought they're capes looked just fine, but her daughter thought they were absolutely amazing! Maybe she'll go into fashion! Oh, Rarity would love an assistant! Maybe she could learn how to make muffin flavored clot-

"I am happy mom. You're just a little bit goofy sometimes." Dinky giggled. Her small happy face made a tear form in Derpy's eye. "You were probably thinking about what my cutie-mark would be. What do you want, for me to learn a spell to generate muffins?"

"...no." But of course, Derpy was terrible at hiding her thoughts from her filly.

"Your lying! I know it! I can read you like a book mommy! You're so silly!" Dinky laughed and rolled around. Derpy finally calmed her. It was time for bed. Everyone was gone, the house was clean, and day had turned quickly, perhaps too quickly, to night. Derpy was tucking her tiny daughter in when Dinky's face became serious.

"Hey mom... can you tell me a story?" It wasn't surprising. Dinky loved a good book. Maybe she'd help Twilight at the library?

"Of course! What do you want? Little Red Trotting Hood? The Little Filly That Could?"

Dinky averted her eyes. "No... Can you tell me... Can you tell me what your cutie-mark is?"

Derpy wasn't surprised. Although she was curious about why this had only come up now. 10 years, and her filly must have been the last pony in town to ask. "Why the sudden interest? Is it because your excited about what yours could be? You know a families cutie marks could be completely different."

"Its just... its just that Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara..." Oh. Those little brats. Derpy wrinkled her nose. "They were making fun of you in school today... and i just want to know what it means so i can tell them that my mom," Dinky's eye lit up. they looked like tiny stars. "Has the best cutie-mark EVER!"

Derpy had to admit she wasn't surprised at the children's behavior. Even Cheerilee knew those fillies were turning out the wrong way. But she was just so tired... She hadn't had her morning muffin! On any other day, she would probably have crashed into a tree and taken a nap in its branches. She was in no mood to explain anything, from her cutie-mark to the story of Equestria's beginnings."I can tell you all about it tommorrow."

"But I wont be able to sleep until i know!" Derpy was not convinced. One second, her daughter was snuggled up into her lap to watch a play... it didn't even take as long as the first scene for her to fall soundly asleep. Then again, she also frequently stayed up later then Derpy herself... might as well make it quick.

"Alright, look. its the bubbles made by spa baths." Dinkies eyes went wide. Derpy counted. Freakout in 3... 2... 1...

"You worked in a SPA?" Right on time. "What did you do? Oh yeah, spa bathes. What was it like? Were you a snob? Did you meet any important ponies? Did you ever meet PRINCESS CELESTIA? What did you do for fun?" All normal... then Dinky surprised her. "Is that where you met dad?" Ah, the ulterior motive had come to light.

"If you wanted to know about your father, you could have just asked."

"Well Your going to tell me anyway... aren't you?" Dinkies eyes widened. Well, there was no denying something that cute something it wanted so badly... But she had to try anyway.

"You already know about him! He visits you every month!" Mystic Guard was a great stallion, and a powerful unicorn. He was quite busy with his royal duties, but never once forgot to visit his filly down in Ponyville.

"But you never told me where you guys met!" Dinky was getting excited now. If she started bouncing up and down, there was no stopping her from messing up her covers, and Derpy might not have the energy to subdue her again. Ah, the trials you must face as a loving mother. But she didn't have the energy or the heart to argue... Dinky's lips started to quiver.

"Fine. But after this, you go to bed. deal?"

"Deal!" To prove she was being honest, Dinky snuggled into her covers. Only a few minutes, and she would be sound asleep.

Then i can go to bed. Derpy rethought that though, and concluded Well, i can go eat muffins, then go to bed.

"Well mom?" Dinky was starting to look impatient. No turning back now.

Derpy sighed, prepared her thoughts, and started her story. "You see... Mommy used to work in Canterlot..."