Change Isn't Easy

Silver Spoon sat with a bored expression, absentmindedly drinking her milkshake as Sunset sat across from her with a half empty strawberry milkshake.

“So are you enjoying yourself?” Sunset asked finally with a tired smile as she looked around at the crammed restaurant they had sat in. Sunset had chosen a table closest to the door away from all the other patrons. “When I was your age, me and my cousin Sunburst would go to places like this all the table. We’d get shakes and hayfries. Occasionally his friend with her giant pigtails would tag along. I don’t remember her name unfortunately.”

“It’s a bit weird with you trying to connect with me. Why do you even care so much?” Silver Spoon demanded as Sunset shrugged before sticking out a tongue and sucking on her straw. “Is this just so you can stay good with my mom?”

“I mean, I’m dating your mom. She wants us to get to know each other and besides, I do too. You’re a nice kid. And no it’s not. I genuinely wanna know you,” Sunset answered with a warmer smile as Silver Spoon shot her a glare. “What?”

“Why even are you dating my mom? Just because you’re dating her won’t make you replace dad,” Silver Spoon slammed a hoof down and Sunset jumped slightly.

“That’s not my intention. I have no interest in ever replacing your father,” Sunset slowly shook her head. “I’d be mad if someone tried to do that to me.”

Silver Spoon let out a hmph before she finished her shake, pushing her chair out slightly before pausing and looking at Sunset.

“Can I be excused to go play?”

Sunset let out a sigh before nodding.

“Sure but stay out of trouble and the water. Don’t go near the Everfree either!” Sunset called out as Silver Spoon ran out the door. “I’m serious!”

“That kid is stressful,” Sunset moaned as she flopped down on her couch of her small house she was given by Celestia.

“I see,” Wallflower nodded slowly as the green mare finished hanging up a plant from Sunset’s ceiling. “So she doesn’t like you dating her mom?”

“Apparently. I dropped her off at home and I only kissed Silverspeed for five seconds before she was shoving us apart,” Sunset flung her forelegs up and Wallflower sat down on a chair to admire her work, tucking her forelegs under her. “I mean, I want her to like me. When I started dating Silverspeed, I specifically told her I’d be there for her and her kid no matter what. Shit is stressful trying to not be overbearing but still be there. Especially when Silver Spoon thinks I’m trying to replace her dad. All she sees is another pony in a parental role and she really doesn’t like that.”

“What happened to her dad anyway?” Wallflower asked curiously as she wrapped a hoof around her water, watching Sunset tap a hoof against her chin.

“Walked out is the most I can tell you,” Sunset admitted finally. “I was told in confidence by Silverspeed. She’d be pretty annoyed and rightfully so if I broke that promise.”

Wallflower hummed in response as she watched Sunset set down a beer bottle before the mare yawned and stretched out on her couch.

“So what are you gonna now about her?” Wallflower asked as Sunset shrugged.

“Stubbornness runs in my family especially in Spitfire. I’m not as bad as her but I’m close. I guess I’ll keep trying obviously. Silver Spoon isn’t the only one who lost a parent,” Sunset answered as her eyes briefly drifted to a picture of a tan stallion with a brown mane. “Maybe I can use that to bond with her.”

Wallflower inhaled before shifting on her chair.

“Uhm what happened to your dad? You never talk about your parents. If you don’t mind me asking if course,” Wallflower scratched the back of her head anxiously.

“I don’t mind. I usually keep things close to my chest. He died of somewhat natural causes, diabetes and all. Former royal guard. He was way better than Stormy Flare. I don’t care for her much,” Sunset grit her teeth before inhaling and exhaling to calm herself down. “There’s a reason there isn’t any pictures of her around. She never wanted a unicorn daughter because that means she would have to live groundside. She only wanted one daughter, Spitfire. Then Blaze came along after me. We haven’t seen her in years. The last time I saw her was at my great uncles funeral.”

“Oh. My sympathies,” Wallflower bowed her head slightly and Sunset forced a smile.

“It’s cool. Shit happens, right? That’s life.”

“I suppose,” Wallflower adjusted the swinging plant slightly. “You need more plants. I’ll bring more by and hang up more. Maybe put some outside too.”

“I’ll look into it. I like sunflowers. They’re pretty,” Sunset commented and Wallflower found herself agreeing with that. Wallflower had an appreciation for all flowers but she personally loved Middlemist Camellia best. It wasn’t a well known flower, like how she wasn’t a well known pony and she personally was happy with life that way.

“Okay. I’m happy I could have been at least here to be a therapist,” Wallflower gave a faint giggle as Sunset gave her a grateful look.

“I appreciate. Normally Soarin is my go to but he and the other Bolts are busy doing maneuvers right now. Spitfire runs a pretty tight ship on her team.”

“I heard,” Wallflower grimaced slightly. “I also heard that’s what got the others to respect her.”

“While Spits runs a right ship, she’s a fair captain. She’s strict but kind in her own way. She’s always been there for me,” Sunset smiled fondly as she glanced at a picture of her, Spitfire and Blaze. “She even set up a party once I became Celestia’s student. She said she had never been so proud of me. I threw her and Blaze parties once they became Bolts.”

“Spitfire doesn’t seem like the type to attend parties. She kinda scares me,” Wallflower shuddered slightly. In Wallflowers eyes, Spitfire was intimidating and just well scary. Especially with how loud she could get when giving orders to her Wonderbolts.

“My sister scares you?” Sunset gave her a incredulous look before laughing. “Spitfire wouldn’t hurt anypony unless they threatened her, her friends, her fellow ponies or family. You’re the second and third. Might even become fourth one day but good luck. It’s rare for her to call you family. She considers her Wonderbolts her extended family.”

Wallflower tilted her head to side before smiling slightly. She had heard something similar from High Winds. High Winds was the only Wonderbolt she really talked to outside of Blaze and the rare time she worked up the courage to talk to Spitfire.

It’s not like she hated Spitfire or anything. Quite the opposite as Wallflower considered her a friend. Just one that was super scary to talk to. If anything, Wallflower admired the mare greatly. The few times Spitfire and Wallflower talked, Spitfire practically exuded confidence. Especially with how she carried herself and how she spoke. What wasn’t there to admire?

“Anyway,” Sunset coughed into a hoof. “I’m gonna take a nap. Thanks again for listening, Wallie. Maybe next time we can talk about your family. I know you got a lot of sisters.”

A lot was an understatement, Wallflower mused to herself as she stood up off the chair and stretched. You had Fuchsia, Berry Punch, Cheerilee and Cherry Blossom. Don’t even get her started on her cousins Roseluck, Lily, Daisy and Comettor. And to think the flower trio was even more of scaredy cats then Wallflower herself.

“See you later,” Wallflower said at the door and Sunset answered with a quiet grunt as the unicorn splayed out on the couch, one of her hind legs occasionally kicking as Wallflower giggled.

Wallflower quietly closed the door to avoid waking the mare and after verifying it was locked, proceeded on her way to her own home.