The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window as you slowly cracked your eyes open to gaze up at the ceiling. A small yawn escaped your lips as you lay there, thinking back on everything you’d experienced over the last…decade or so? Faust…you’d actually lost count properly; then again, you never were the sharpest after an after-work nap. Not that you intended to stop taking them, but meeting with your publisher was frankly exhausting on the best of days. Though you could probab- A creak from the floorboards instantly drew your attention; it wasn’t very loud, meaning there could only be one pony responsible.
You remain still, letting your eyes slide closed in preparation for what was bound to happen. Despite her attempts at being quiet, soft giggling fills the air as you hear her approach. It was too late when you realised your mistake; her giggling was joined by the hum of a unicorn’s horn. The sinking feeling in your gut is accompanied by a high-pitched yell.
”Daddy!” The small peach-coloured filly that your life had come to revolve around called as she flung herself from the dresser at you. Landing with all the force a filly’s horn could muster was enough to make you groan in pain as she knocked the air from your lungs. Utterly oblivious to your admittedly not very severe pain, she proceeds to bounce in glee. ”It’s nightmare night soon Daddy!”
With a fluid movement, you roll onto your back, wrapping a foreleg around her and sweep her into a gentle hug. Eliciting another wave of giggling from your filly as she squirmed in vain to escape your embrace. After a moment's reprieve, your lungs can finally breathe again. “You excited for the Princess’ party tonight?”
What with her being unable to bounce in excitement thanks to your hug, she instead practically seemed to vibrate with excitement. If you didn’t know better, you could swear she was just pinkie pie with a different colour scheme some days. Then again the promise of more than her body weight in candy likely wasn’t helping that. Despite the majority of your brain dissolving into mush at her casual onslaught of cuteness, the remaining brain cell remained determined to parent as best as it could. ”What did we say about your costume?”
“No jumping on mom or dad, No tackling other ponies either” Came her reply a few moments later, you had to blink for a second, she’d definitely inherited her mother’s serious voice. Releasing her from the hug, she squealed as she slid backwards off the bed before landing on her hooves with a soft thump.
“Good girl, let's get you ready then.” You ruffle her mane with a hoof as you get out of bed, the pitter-patter of her hooves letting you know she was following you closely. You paused once you’d reached the staircase, letting her hop onto your back with a small grunt of exertion. After the last time she’d slipped, she still had something of a problem with the hardwood stairs. Winding your way through the house, you couldn’t help but smile at some of the photos adorning the wall, from last hearth’s warming to the photo Pinkie Pie had taken at your “Welcome to Equestria” party. The sheer look of confusion on your face was frankly hilarious, even if it hadn’t been at the time.
Emerging into the back garden, you trotted along the paving stones over to your shed. It was something of a foreign concept to the ponies of Canterlot, but with some help from Big Macintosh you’d gotten the shed built shortly after you moved in. You know…you really should head down and visit him sometime; Peachy would probably love ponyville now she was a bit older. Shaking your head to clear those thoughts away, ignited your horn and slid open the door to the shed with a dramatic flourish. Never let it be said those old drama classes back in school hadn’t rubbed off on you.
Before you both, atop your workbench, stood the project you’d both worked on for months. From petitioning Princess Celestia to get permission to sketch her ancient battle plate, admittedly, it probably helped she found the idea hilarious. To a very awkward conversation with Equals Exponent about “appropriate Daddy Daughter projects”, Peachy hadn’t been deterred with her idea for Nightmare Night. Peachy seemed to not care about her teacher’s disapproval, leaping up onto a stool before finally onto the workbench and running her tiny hoof over the peytral with a grin.
You couldn’t be prouder of her; truthfully, you’d stepped back after the crown. Everything else, from the hoof shoes to the peytral and even the mail skirt, was her handiwork hoofwork. Twilight and basically everypony who’d seen Peachy at work had been mystified how this hadn’t earned her a cutiemark. You couldn’t help but agree; she seemed a natural at metalwork, even if you’d had to use your magic to get the power hammer working. Cutiemark or no, you were just happy to see how she practically glowed with joy whilst working in the mini forge you’d both built.
”Dad, why’s there a hole in the peytral?” With some effort, you shake yourself from fond memories and look up, spotting a pair of ice-blue eyes staring back at you from the table. God, she really did get her mother’s eyes as well. A smile forms on your lips as you trot over to a small wrapped package on your desk.
“Close your eyes, sweetie” A frustrated hum accompanies your request, but glancing over your shoulder reveals Peachy’s eyes shut. Your horn glows, shredding the wrapping and hefting a gently glowing amulet. It fits into the peytral with a gentle nudge before sealing itself in. “Okay, sweetie, take a look.”
Peachy’s eyes snapped open, and she looked back at the peytral, an eyebrow raised. Looking every bit the part of a Master blacksmith, you watch as your filly paces around the armour. Tracing over the subtle soldering mark where the Amulet melted the metal to bond itself to the armour. ”Dad, that’s way too much magic for you…who made it?”
“Oh Sweetie…” You press a hoof to your chest dramatically, displaying all of your rather terrible acting as you stagger aside. Practically collapsing against the wall, you groan and clutch at your chest once more, sucking down breaths in mock pain. “My own flesh and blood, how could you claim that your own father is not a master magician? Oh, woe am I for such a besmirchment to my reputation.”
Peachy simply snickers at your theatrics from her place atop the workbench, rolling her eyes and cocking her head to the side. ”Seriously, Daddy, who did it?”
“...Promise not to tell her I told you?” You say, dropping the mock pain and standing back up.
Instantly, Peachy’s eyes lit up as she looked back at the gem with open admiration and glee. ”Mom did it!”
“That’s my clever filly” You can’t help but rustle her mane as you step back to the table, giving her a little space to step back. With as much care as you can, you lift the ornate crown with your magic and slowly lower it onto her head. Peachy sags a little under the bronze’s weight, her eyes opening once the helmet is settled, Her short horn hidden by a curved hornguard. Her mane poking out through a slit at the back of the helm, glancing at her face through the armoured cheek plates, reveals an ear-to-ear grin.
” It's really cold.”
“It is a metal helmet, sweetie; those tend to get cold.”
”What does Mom’s amulet do?” You pointedly ignore the question, opting instead to fasten the small buckle under her chin. Peachy shakes her head a little, the helmet resolutely remaining atop her head. “Fits good?”
”Perfect Dad!” She rears up and steps into the mail dress, letting you fasten it on her back, prompting a small squeak of ”Cold!” You can’t help but chuckle, prompting an overly dramatic scowl and huff from Peachy. A few moments later, Peachy is clad hoof to horn in gleaming bronze and snow-white fabric. Bright ice blue eyes staring back at you, sparkling with excitement.
“Go get your Candy, sweetie; Mom’s gonna meet us at the party, okay?” Peachy leaps from the table, landing with a quartet of metal clangs before racing for the door; maybe racing is a bit generous. Trotting at a moderate pace might be better. You realise she probably didn’t expect to be hauling the sheer weight of armour she has on. Still, you casually trot after her back to the house. She “races” over to the kitchen cupboard, her horn tugging the door open to reveal a sack stuffed with Candy.
You stand silently in the corner, practically watching the gears turn in Peachy’s head. She steps to the side, measuring the bag against herself. Brow furrowed, lips pursed; if she thought any harder, you expect steam will start coming out her ears. A few moments pass before she turns and trots into the pantry, rummaging for something out of sight. Eventually, she returns, head held high with a smug grin as a red-painted wagon trails behind her. No matter the world, it seems a kid will always find use for a Radio Flyer. With a growl, she heaves the bag of candy onto her back, struggles over to the wagon and dumps it in with a satisfied groan. Before turning to look at you with an expression best described as transcendent pride,” See! I did it!”
“Knew you could, Peachy…want me to pull it to the castle?”
Her face freezes. She’d forgotten that part. ”..yes please”
With a flourish of your hooves, you lower yourself into a dramatic bow, muzzle practically to the floor. “As you order Princess”
The setback forgotten, Peachy burst out into laughter and trotted for the door. You follow close behind, hauling the wagon with your magic. Princess Celestia’s nightmare night party, ..it was something of your doing actually. Back on earth, the mayor of your town had organised a yearly Halloween party. Something about making it safer for kids. The reality was he was a sucker for fireworks and loved an excuse for a good celebration, Princess Celestia, as it turned out, was very similar.
One brief train ride later, you found yourselves climbing up Canterlot’s slanted and winding streets. Above the city, The sky was awash with nebulae and stars, fireworks bursting in images of The Princess of the Night. Music filtered from storefronts and a few bands that had just started playing on the street corners. Honestly it reminded you a little of Mardi Gras back on earth, the entire city seemed to be out celebrating.
Peachy, despite struggling in her armour, looked around in abject awe .The flow of ponies around you both were looking at her gleaming bronze “costume” with pretty much identical reactions. You swore the guards back at the train station seemed a bit jealous, come to think of it, Peachy would make a good royal armourer… The aforementioned Smith had dipped into her candy a little, handing out hooffuls of Bon-Bon’s creations to the horde of fillies and colts following her. ok so…maybe she was a little too generous to run a business. Maybe the Princess’ were hiring? Surely a…very small body double could be useful? ”Everything okay dad? You’ve got your thinking face on.”
“Just pondering stuff Sweetie, nothing to worry about.” The Castle was finally coming into view, practically besieged by a veritable army of partygoers. Entry was simple, a pail of Candy for Fillies and Colts, Mare and Stallions were to bring a bottle of their choosing or a pail of candy. Admittedly, that admission fee wasn’t very steep, but You knew the point wasn’t to get candy or booze. The mountains of sweets in the courtyard, and open bars revealed the real purpose. Ponies really loved a good potluck
”You excited to see mom?”
“Always Sweetie, more than you’d know”, Peachy simply giggles at that.
”Wonder what adventure she’s been on this time…Oooh! Maybe to that upside down spider land!”
“To…Australia?”
”Yeah that!” You shrugged, the portal was in the US so…in theory it was possible she could have caught a flight there. Though you doubted it, The Crown usually needed her close to the Portal. Trying not to lose Peachy in the crown wasn’t as hard as usual. Under the bursting lights of the fireworks she glowed like a disco ball. The main challenge was your height, other stallions were taller than you and mares were about at eye height. God you missed being taller than almost everybody
”Candy or Drink Sir?”
“Candy, my daughter has both of our contributions.” Peachy giggled as the Guardstallion’s jaw dropped when he saw her armour. The guardmare to his left simply squee’d before coughing and hastily putting on a serious expression once more. With the Candy sack taken to be checked by security, you both were let in. The Radio Flyer was escorted off by an amused valet, leaving you with a ticket to reclaim your “Chariot, Carriage or other suitable means of personal transportation.”
”I’m riding the wagon home!”
“No you are not, not after last time.”
”But daaad I’m wearing armour! And the crown has proclaimed the wagon a means of personal transportation!”
You open your mouth to respond before pausing...she does have a point you suppose. Electing not to encourage that idea further, you both push onwards. Music filters over the crowd, provided by a familiar looking grey mare and her ensemble of musicians. You absentmindedly look over the ponies around you wondering where your wife even is, she sent a letter saying she’d meet you both here. The song slowly fades out and is soon replaced by the beginning notes of a very familiar track Looking over the crowd reveals her, a microphone suspended in her blue magic, hooves hovering over a keyboard she’d clearly brought through the portal. ”The sun goes down, the stars come out. And all that counts is here and now
By the Third line, you’re singing along. By the fourth the crowd had joined in. Sunset looks up, her ice blue eyes casting a gaze over the crowd and stopping once she spots You. To your side, Peachy calls out something that gets lost in the noise of what must be hundreds of ponies singing along to the band. Sunset, despite the noise of her song, clearly hears Peachy, offering a smile and a wink in response. The song finishes almost too soon..god you loved that track
”Should we go up to the stage?”
“She’ll find us, Don’t worry.” Peachy, despite the armour, stands at your side bouncing up and down
“Peach, remember. No Jumping at ponies.” If she heard you, you can’t tell, With all the metal, especially the mail, her bouncing sounds like the most demented percussion solo possible. Even then, its drown out by at least half of the crowd singing along to the band. You open you mouth to say something before freezing.
”Hey Hun~” You turn to find Sunset standing behind you, a warm sparkle in her eyes as she looks at you, In one fluid movement, she steps forward and places a kiss on your cheek. Which you swiftly reciprocate before your wife turns and hefts your Daughter into the air,Sweet Celestia you forgot how strong her magic was.
”How is my little peach?” The squirming armoured filly can only manage to laugh as Sunset proceeds to tickle her in mid air
Author's Note
This will probbaly get updated as I go on the greentext, so expect sporadic updates over here!
also, I'm alive! big shock I know!
