You churn for only a moment as your head turns to face the mare sleeping beside you. Her light golden strands of hair spread across her own pillow as her back was turned to you. Celestia's sun barely peaked through the window defying the blinds to cover up her glory. You didn't care however as the stream of light played across your beloved's hair ever increasing it's attractiveness. If there was ever an angel pony you knew it to be her. The very thought of it being true put a smile across your face.
“Time to wake up, my Angel,” you speak out softly.
Something akin to a grumble comes from the stirring mare.
“Remember we have to take Steel to the dentist today,” you try to stir her again by placing your hoof on her back and rubbing in a slow, circular fashion.
“Ok, Daddy,”
Your face is scrunched up in sudden confusion. Your hoof slides along her back until you noticed something was wrong, terribly wrong. The ends of her hair slowly turned to ash. You watched slowly as she began to burn beside you. You tried to stop the burning, Celestia you tried! Your hooves tried to put out the small fire but nothing worked. It was only seconds before you found yourself weeping over a mound of ashes.
“Daddy! Wake up!”
You wake up with a startle as a small filly gazes at you with a cheerful face. A large grin spread almost from ear to ear. Her bright, golden hair displayed amongst her features which easily reminded you of a certain somepony. Her coat held the same as yours however, a dark smoky shade. Her eyes however were a sea of blue, easily something to be truly lost in.
“I'm up, Hunny,” you say as to finally convince your daughter of your rising. You simply watch as she sits down on your stomach and pouts. Uh oh.
“You said that last time, Dad,” she said with defiance as she crossed her hooves across her chest. “Remember that you were going to walk me to school today?”
You shut your eyes and fight the ever increasing headache that has invaded your train of thought. There was no 'almost' forgetting this time. You had completely forgot and if there was ever a pony to know you were lying it was your daughter, Sea Wind. “Of course I remembered. You have more faith in your father don't you?” You simply crack a wavering smile.
She only squinted her eyes knowing full well that you forgot.
“Fine, fine,” You say as you quickly turn and press your fore hooves against her stomach, scratching furiously. A bout of laughter erupts from Sea wind's lips as she tries to escape but to no avail! “No one escapes from the tickle monster!” you shout moments before letting loose a cackling laugh that any villain would be proud to hear. She tries to defend herself but simply gives in to just kicking in random directions and laughing until her sides hurt.
Stopping for a moment to let her catch a breath of air you simply nudge her towards the end of the bed. “Go and get your breakfast in you and if your lucky, perhaps we can stop on the way to get you a muffin,” Her mother's favourite.
A large smile spread across her face as she said nothing in response. The filly simply jumped from the bed and ran out of the bedroom door. You wait a few seconds more before your smile falters. You sit on your bed made for two. It has been almost one entire year since she had passed away. You twist your head slowly to view the two photos on your bedside. One of the entire family and one that was just for you. The mare you fell in love with and started a family with, Ditzy Doo.
The headache started again as you rub your eyes in pain both physically and emotionally. Your hoof reached for an all too familiar item as you twist the cap off. The burning liquid soon made it's way down your throat as you give a raspy cough. The numbing was addictive. Some days you often wondered what you would have done with out it.
A few steps echoed from your doorway causing you to quickly turn your head to witness your eldest child. A stallion that mirrored his mother in almost every way but her eyes. He shared the same ocean blue like his sister. As Sea Wind was more then pleasant to see you, Steel Strike however was anything but.
“Good morning, Steel,” You call out placing the bottle back into the bedside drawer.
“Whatever, Drunky,” he simply acknowledges you back as he trots off towards the stairs without a second look towards you.
Initially you had retaliated against your son, telling him off for whatever reasons although you came off as drunk and disoriented. Everypony in Ponyville knew about your lose but they also knew of your repercussions. Excessive amount of drinking and becoming mostly anti-social. Initially ponies felt sorry but you know they look at you much like your Son does now.
Your shoulders slouch for only a moment before you slide onto all four hooves. Making your way slowly down the stairs to find a cheerful Sea Wave and a less then happy Steel Strike munching on cereal together. As soon as Steel Strike notices you though he simply bites down on his bowl and quickly deposits it into the sink before making for the door. Just like usual with Steel, less eye contact the better. “What are you up to today?” you call out to him.
“Work, then I'm hanging out with Scootaloo,” was all he said before stretching his wings and taking off from the front door.
You simply let out a tired sigh from the edge of your lips. Turning your head however with a practiced smile you look at your bubbly personality daughter who was trying desperately to flap her own small wings. A large ache erupts in your chest as you watch her try to fly up to the sink edge to place her bowl just like her older brother. You look at your sides and wince knowing that you were a simple earth pony. Ditzy was the one that almost bounced when she gave birth to another Pegasus child, a daughter none the less! She taught Steel how to fly but Sea never got that chance.
On the edge of tears you simply put two hooves near her flank and pushed her up, a little something to think she was flying. A large smile grew on her face as she turned to you after placing the bowl in the sink. Her smile is lost for only a moment as she looks up to you in slight confusion.
“Why are you crying, Dad?”
You didn't noticed the hot tear streak down against your smoky coat of a cheek. A soft smile playing against your lips as you simply choke for a moment. Letting out a huff of air you simply shake your head and give her a nudge to the stairs. “Go brush your teeth and get your things ready for school,”
Thankfully a large smile spread across her face again as she bolted for the bathroom on the second floor. You wait again until she's out of sight before pulling another one of your friendly 'Numbing' bottles from the top shelf. A quick swig later and you let out a sigh in relief, hoping to Celestia that it would hold you off till you get back to the blacksmith shop you owned.
Both yourself and daughter, who sat content on your back, made the familiar trek to the only bakery Sea ever wanted to go to, Sugar Cube corner . Most of the other citizens of the town barely even gave you a second glance either out of pity or disgust, you no longer cared. You trotted happily enough to Sugar Cube corner and gave Mr. And Mrs. Cake a good morning. Out of politeness they responded with a fellow greeting but you noticed the smile that faltered for just a moment. Luckily Sea Wind was too preoccupied with which muffin to pick from the many behind the display glass.
With both muffin and filly on your back you start off for the school. Hardly stunned by the fact that the muffin was no where in sight by the time you came to a stop outside the school house you simply sigh. “You are defiantly one of your mother's,” you let out under your breath as Sea jumps from your back and fidgets in place for a moment. You simply turn your head slightly before she looks back up at you with slight concern.
“I... Um kind of forgot,” the filly Pegasus mumbled as she kicked a hoof at the ground. Just as you were about to ask, a mare came to stand near you. Looking up from her hooves you knew it was none other then.
“Hello,” Cheerilee spoke as she trotted up to you with a smile. You give her back the best smile you can muster which makes teacher beam just a slight brighter. “I'm glad you agreed for the parent-teacher meeting tonight, Mr. Iron,”
“What Parent-Teacher meeting?” you simply voiced as your smile falters and you turn your head to the side. It didn't take long for your gaze to lower as you witness Sea Wind's head so low, you'd assume she was eating dirt.
“Sea had said that you agreed for myself to come over at six tonight. There's a few things I wanted to discuss with you,” Cheerilee explained as she raised an eyebrow towards you. The scrutinizing look given your way only made you sigh lightly. Easily catching this, she takes a hoof step closer towards you. “Are you alright?” her voice only carrying worry.
“Yes, I'm fine,” My Son has little to no respect for me, my daughter is growing up without a mother and I feel like I'm running on pure alcohol fumes these days. “Feeling great.” You summarize with another attempt at a convincing smile before patting your daughter on the head. Her eyes looking up to you and you can see the remorse within them. “Go play with your friends and remember, no crusading today,” you watch as a bright smile grew on her face and she ran towards the small playground nearby.
You turn back to see Cheerilee just watching you but this time her expression was pained. “Miss Cheerilee?”
“It's been a year hasn't it?”
You say nothing but instead look past the mare who watched you intently although her pained expression was something you didn't want to witness. You feel your throat tighten as images float through your mind so in response you simply nod slowly.
“How are you holding up?” she continues to press into your life.
“Fantastic,” you lied with practiced ease. “My shop is always busy and my kids are both healthy. What could be wrong?” you ask her but you notice by her facial expressions alone she's not buying a single word of it.
“We went to school together, Strike. Tartarus, we even dated before I went to University!” she tried to plead with you, both in your memories and with her soft voice. “You can talk to me Strike, I'm here to help when a friend is hurting,”
You open your mouth for only a moment as the ashes of your heart try and push you to connect with the mare in front of you. Your mind however holds the whip as you close your mouth and simply turn away from the mare. “I'll see you tonight, Miss Cheerilee,”
You sat there with the embers from your forge being the only light source inside the rather gloomy forge hut. A flicker from the large fire pit shined off the bottles that occupied the flat top of the nearby anvil. They were long since empty and you knew, painfully enough, that there was more around in the dark. The rain patter on the roof above you continued much like it has since lunch, your stomach growling a constant reminder how late it was. You had prepared mentally for this moment. For months you knew that this was going to happen.
She was moving away and Celestia herself couldn't stop it from happening.
The mere thought of it was enough for you to lash out with a hoof. The small pain was ignored as the bottles that just recently occupied the Anvil's space were now airborne. Most landed amongst the floor but one managed to roll away from it's assaulter. You wanted to shout and curse her name! To the depths of hell with her! It only took moments for the painful guilt to surface along with a deep sigh. She left to follow her dreams and passion. “I miss you, Cheerilee.” you say as your head hangs low.
A small clink fills your ears as they jet upwards. A bottle lightly rests up against your hoof as your eyes focus on the intruder at the door. Her features only lightly touched by the forge's presence. “What do you want, Ditzy?” you ask as your head sinks back towards the floor. Your patience was thin but you bare with it as you hear the Mare taking a few steps closer.
“Is this all from tonight?” She asked softly as a hoof kicks a bottle away towards the wall.
“No, I keep a collection to show off to customers,” your snide return makes you let loose a hollow chuckle. The very gesture makes you shudder until your hoof searches for another swig of liquid relief. A hoof finally finds one bottle that has at least half of it's contents yet to be sampled. The small smile that graced your face was dashed as the light, smokey coated hoof pushes the bottle out of your reach. “You little bit-.” you mouth in anger before reality comes like a train. Your face spins from the hit as you lose balance on the small barrel that was your seat. Collapsing on the floor you still try to collect what had just happened.
“She's gone, Cast Iron!” Ditzy screamed at you as your head turns to see the Mare. Her wavering voice matched her wobbly stance. Never in all your years of knowing Ditzy have you ever seen her this upset. Not once. “You need to let it go! You never leave this damn shop and when you do, you reek of booze. I know you love her, Cast, I do but you're acting like you just want to give up. You still have family and friends who care deeply about you. Will you please let us help? Will you let me help?” Her voice echoed within you as you stayed still upon the floor. Your mouth agape with shock as Ditzy closed the space between you two. Her hoof extended out as she gave you the most reassuring smile you've ever witnessed. Your heart jumped for a moment although you blamed the alcohol racing through your body.
With her help you stand on all four hooves but before you make your way towards the door you feel the Mare pull you in tightly in a embrace. Her head brushed against yours tightly as you swore she nuzzled your neck for a moment. The initial connection left you speechless until your own hoof wrapped around her to tighten the hug.
“Thank you, Ditz,”
The hammer connected with the glowing hot metal as the familiar pang echoed from the shop door. The forge was bright with hot embers as you strike again at the metal that was held in place. Small sparks flew out as you let out a breath. It had taken you most of the day to fix the hinge for the Apple Family but it seems to pay off as you place the metal into the large tub of water. The steam rising as you chance a look at the clock. You still had thirty minutes before picking up Sea Wind from school, perfect timing if you do say so yourself! Which you do.
Your apron is tossed onto a nearby chair as you exit the forge and head into the adjoined office. A lone, young stallion who suddenly started moving in the chair started to write furiously on paper. You frown knowing full well that this particular dolt of a pony was your apprentice. Catching him goofing off when he should be working was almost a daily thing. If only Steel was still here. You catch that train of thought and quickly push it to the back of your mind. “The Apple Family's order is completed and is cooling off now. Clean it, wrap it and deliver it. After that you're free to go home for the day.” You order as you start to lock the cash register and windows.
The young stallion groaned before getting up from his chair. “Sweet Apple Acre is so far away though.” His complaint entered the office as you growl in response. The quicken pace of the Apprentice was good enough for you as you take one final chug from the bottle in the locked drawer of the desk.
“Colts these days,”
You tap your hoof with irritation as the shade from the oak tree provides welcoming comfort. It wasn't especially hot today but with little to no breeze it made a great difference in the shade. The irritation was still strong however as your lips ached for a drink. The need was almost appalling but all you really did to hide it was simply tap your hoof on the grass or bite your tongue. The countless times you've drawn blood from the urge or get weird looks from passers as they spot you waiting outside a school nervously tapping your hoof.
Having only a swig from the bottle at the shop seemed too small unfortunately fast.
“Daddy!”
Your ears perked up as the sight of Sea Breeze easily made you smile brightly through your irritation. She practically galloped at full speed before trying to tackle you to the ground. Being an Earth pony had it's perks when it came to natural strength and endurance. For this little Filly however, it was no match. You bowl over with a loud groan as if a monster being killed by the mighty Mare Hero, here to save the town.
Sea Breeze simply erupt in a contagious laugh the easily had you chuckling. She embraces you with a wide hug which you could only give back twice fold. Feeling her push against your chest you look down to see her with a rather sad frown. “I'm sorry for not telling you about Miss Cheerilee, Dad!”
How could you be angry at her with such innocence like that? Instead of showing any sort of anger you simply ruffle her mane which makes the Filly scrunch up her face in the most adorable way. Much like Ditzy did... “It's alright, Hunny,” you respond quietly as you eagerly bar a mental door against the vile memories.
“Mr. Iron?” an inquisitive voice brought the two back to Equestria as both Father and Filly gazed up at Cheerilee. She gazed down at the two with a sweet smile which easily gained another smile in return from Breeze. “Did it work, Sea Breeze?”
Sea Breeze jumped to her hooves, still onto top of your chest, and beams brightly towards her radiant Teacher. “It did! You we're right, Miss Cheerilee!” Sea Breeze flapped her wings with joy as she begun to hop in place, a fact that you start to realize as she repeatedly landed on your gut.
Snatching the filly up in mid-hop, you place her in a shady spot beside you before rolling to get on your on hooves. Your gaze falls onto Cheerilee as you remember her as a young Mare eagerly dreaming of a grand future. There was days she refused to shut up about her dreams! You loved it though. It was those long days as an apprentice, working hard beside the flames of your Father's Forge, that you enjoyed the Mare's non-stop vocal barrage. It was those Memories that made it hurt though.
“Cast Iron?”
“Huh?” you mumble as your concentration was brought once more onto Cheerilee who is now giving an easily worried look. “Sorry, I was lost in thought,” you try to ease her off as you noticed that she even took one hoof step closer while you were reminiscing. Feeling a hoof tugging at your foreleg you peer down to see young Sea Breeze pout with innocence. “Dinner time, huh?” you sigh out loud as the small Filly hop in place with excitement at the very idea of dinner.
“Oh! Oh!” Sea began to shout as she raised her voice, indicating she figured out a great idea. “Can we invite Miss Cheerilee over for supper?”
Looking at Cheerilee when Sea Breeze mentioned her rather suburb plan made your eyes open wide in shock. A breath got caught in your throat as a coughing fit suddenly came over you. Hacking for a moment you see that Cheerilee is rather flush with colour in her cheeks, a feat considering her colour of fur.
“Sea Breeze, I'd love too but umm...” you watched as your ex-marefriend fumbled with what you could only assume was an excuse to avoid an embarrassing dilemma. “I have to wash my Flowers! I mean, water my Dishes! Oh boy...”
“Please come and have dinner with us?” Sea Breeze begun to use her large puppy dog eyes which you were really, really, hoping didn't effect Cheerilee.
“Well,” Cheerilee paused for a moment as her gaze fell upon you for some help. What confused, and scared, you however was the gut feeling that suspected that Cheerilee wanted to visit. “If your Father agrees to it, then I'd love to be a guest in your home,”
You narrow your eyes at her only to get a tug feeling on your leg. Before even looking down you prepared yourself for the Pout Tron 3000. Sweet Celestia, how does she have such adorable eyes? “Well, Steel won't be home tonight...” You mumble with some reluctance.
“Yeah!” Sea easily squeal out in triumph, easily unaware the awkward gazes you now shared with Cheerilee. “This is going to be so much fun!”
You could only swallow with regret as you spotted another blush creeping into Cheerilee's cheeks.
Loads of fun...
