Today’s The Day by PhucknuckL (Meddling and interference by TheQuietMan)
Chapter published 23rd Sept 2014
*************
She awoke free from a hangover for the first time in years. The fear she had felt the previous evening that her plans would be discovered in her dreams by Princess Luna seemed to have been for naught.
Drawing back the the curtains she soaked in the sight of the freshly fallen snow that blanketed the sleepy town of Ponyville. The light grey skies and dreary vista - its usual vibrant colours cloaked in a sea of uniform white - could do little to hamper the high spirits of this pony. Turning from the window, she took in the dismal condition of the small bedroom.
Would you look at the state of this place?
Quietly padding over to the door, she exited the room and sought out some cleaning supplies; the search taking longer than expected when she realised she had no idea where even the broom was kept.
How long has it been since I actually cleaned this place?
She was a moment away from waking her daughter to help her find her erstwhile domestic tools when she discovered them hiding in the kitchen pantry. As she gathered them up in crowded hooves, she couldn’t help but notice that their food stocks were shockingly low.
I’m sure I bought more than that for the winter.
She tried to recall what goods she had purchased to see her family through the winter, the recollections failing to surface through the mostly drunken haze that was her memories.
Oh well, one thing at a time, she mused to herself as she set about cleaning the small cottage she shared with her only daughter. Careful not to wake the sleeping filly she cleared out the seemingly endless amount of empty bottles, formerly filled with cheap but potent wine from Berry Punch’s store. She’d never really liked the stuff, but the mental fugue it brought on helped her get past the bitter taste- less bitter than the tears that it had helped to keep at bay at least.
She cleared the house of clutter with barely a chink of glass; then swept, scrubbed and polished every surface. Pretty soon she could stand back and survey the spotless cottage; the house hadn’t ever been this clean since they’d moved in over five years ago.
“A bit early for spring cleaning isn’t it, Mom?” a sleepy voice mumbled from behind the exhausted mare. Startled out of the moment of quiet contentment she spun to face the young filly.
“Ahh… I’m sorry, did I wake you? Can I, ahh… cook you some breakfast?”
The small hoof that was until a second ago rubbing sleep from half closed eyes froze and slowly lowered to the floor. “What?” squeaked the little pony.
“Can I cook you some breakfast?”
A look of confusion flashed across of her daughter’s face as her young, sleep-addled brain tried to comprehend the question she had never, ever heard coming from her mother before.
“I… ahh guess so,” the filly answered hesitantly as she trotted into the kitchen ahead of her mother. Rounding the kitchen bench she grabbed one of the two mismatched stools that were resting upside down on the countertop - a result of the cleaning frenzy that had gripped her mother this morning - and gingerly placed it on the gleaming floor. As she sat herself on the low stool, her mother paced back and forward behind her.
“Mom, what’s going on?” the young filly asked without turning around.
The older mare grimaced to herself. “I don’t know what you like,” she admitted as she checked the mostly empty fridge for the third time.
“Just some toast will be fine” the filly said, knowing full well that that was pretty much the only food her mother would be able to offer.
The mare closed the fridge, opened the freezer and grabbed a frozen loaf of bread. Pulling out two slices she placed them on the counter in a little tent shape before returning the rest of the loaf back to the freezer. Leaving the bread slices to defrost she lit the the stove before clopping around the bench. Placing the other stool onto the kitchen floor, she took a seat. Large violet eyes stared at her from across the table.
“Mom, seriously, what’s going on? Are you drunk already?”
“NO,” the mare snapped back. “I haven’t touched a drink for two days.”
As the teenage filly visibly cringed at her mother’s sharp - and somewhat dubious - reply, the older hung her head, unable to meet the disbelieving yet questioning gaze of her daughter. After a long awkward silence the mare whispered.
“I’m going to see somepony today.”
“Who?”
“Somepony I haven’t seen in a long time.”
“Who?”
The mare smiled as she lifted her face to the younger pony.
“Somepony that made me happy.”
“Do I know them?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Not yet, my little pony. I’m sure you see them eventually, but not today.”
“Well, who is it?” the filly pleaded in exasperation. Her mother just sat in silence, lowering her head.
“BAH… You’re impossible,” the filly threw her front hooves in the air, noisily shoved her stool out from the bench, and stormed towards the front door. After donning her scarf and beanie from the coat-rack beside the doorway, she spun on the spot, bucked the door open and stomped out into the snow. Placing one rear hoof against the door she called out, “I’M GONNA GO SEE RA-” the rest of her statement was cut off by the slamming door.
For long minutes silence reigned all across the cottage, save for the rhythmic ticking of the small cottage’s only working clock.
“You forgot your breakfast” the mare eventually said to the otherwise deserted kitchen counter, one lonely tear rolling along her muzzle and falling down onto the bench top.
After staring at the single tear until it had evaporated away, she calmly stood up, turned off the stove and pushed her daughter’s stool back against the bench. Rummaging around for some stationary, she pulled some parchment and an unused inkwell from one of the cupboards. Popping the cap she sat down to write a letter.
*************
Screwing up her fifth piece of parchment in frustration and tossing it into the bin, the mare just sat there, staring at her last piece, hoping something inspirational would come to mind.
The silence was marred by the insistent ticking of the old clock on the wall. She glanced up at the intruder to her thoughts and noticed the time. She was going to be late.
After scribbling a single line onto the paper, she folded it once and shoved it into an envelope.
Grabbing the letter in her mouth, she swept the two now limp slices of bread off of the countertop and into the bin with her tail and made for the door. She opened the door and stepped out into the brisk air, pausing briefly before closing the door
“She’ll be fine, she’s a big girl now... a teenager... and she has friends,” she whispered to the empty house.
************
Lero swung the axe with gusto, again and again and again. His muscles burned and his back ached but he felt good.
Twilight could have easily reduced the entire wood pile to tinder in seconds but Lero had argued that he liked the exertion, the feel of the axe striking home, the pieces cartwheeling off in opposite directions. In a land of pastel ponies it made him feel manly.
Judging by the mint green and lavender faces fogging up the window in the library, it must have looked pretty manly too.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the amount of heat his muscles were generating, he slipped off his jacket. Steam rose from the broad back and shoulders of his thick shirt as he hung his heavy, olive-green coat on the branch of a small tree just off to his side.
He grabbed another log, placed it on the block and grunted as he took another swing. The small log was split in two.
The window got hazier.
It was probably due to the poor visibility granted by the steamed up window that both of the not-at-all-subtly-ogling mares failed to notice an older mare surreptitiously slip an envelope into one of the pockets of Lero’s coat. As the pegasus turned and swiftly trotted away, the sound of her hoof-falls were silenced by the snow.
*************
The mare broke into to a gallop as she approached the train station. She was not going to be late, she promised herself yesterday she was not going to be late. Her breath puffed out into clouds around her face, the fog rolling away from her eyes as she ran.
*************
Draping his lengthy great-coat across his shoulders, Lero gathered up the wood from around his feet and carried it into the home he shared with his wives. The two mares that were at home watched him drop his offerings next to the fireplace where they formed a decently sized pile. A single loose log bounced across the fireside rug and the human leant down, plucking it from where it had come to rest, before casually tossing it onto the fire in one long, fluid motion.
Under twin lustful gazes Lero walked over to the front door and hung his coat on the hook beside the door, only then did he notice the envelope sticking out of the pocket. Frowning to himself he pulled it out, turning it over in his hands. All it had was ‘Lero / Rainbow Dash’ scrawled across the front.
Dash had left early this morning for an impromptu flight training session with a Scootaloo, taking two of the mares from her weather team with her, and wasn’t due home any time soon. Rather than waiting Lero tore open the envelope and read the letter within.
*************
She was going to be late, the train was almost here and she was going to be late.
She couldn’t be late, she'd promised that she wouldn’t be late.
She did something she hadn’t done for years- she spread her wings and took to the sky.
She was not going to be late, not today.
I’m coming my love. I said I wouldn’t be late.
**************
The squeal of brakes from the midday train could be heard for miles around in the still, crisp air of the cold winter’s day. By the time the engineers had realised what was happening, it had been too late to avoid the inevitable. They had tried - by Celestia how they had tried - but today the fates had not been on their side.
**************
Four words - four little words and nothing more - stared back at Lero from the otherwise blank parchment.
Take care of her.
As the human read and re-read the words over and over and over again, somepony knocked at his door.
I had no idea who this was and how it related until the very end, and then it became all too clear. Quite a sobering slap in the face. Although it was not something that I expected to read within this series, it doesn't mean that it doesn't belong. When you world-build, you must accept that things like this must be part of it also.
Shouldn't this be placed before the chapter titled "I will see my dream come alive at last, I will touch the sky"?
I ws lost as to who this refered to for most of the story; but when it kicked in, it really kicked in. This is an amazing chapter detailing her final acts and is wonderfully written. I wish I could like and favourite this all over again, just for your chapter. I guess I'll have to settle for perusing your other works.
Also thanks for the PSA. I already knew of the signs personally, but it's always good to be reminded and inform new people. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, I hope he's happier now than he was in life.
Now this... wow. I just don't know what to say, that ending was unexpected, yet after the explanation if (of course) becomes perfectly clear.
Still, so sad
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*swallows* I certainly know how the mother felt.
5044232
Agreed.
I think her biggest regret of all that was that she never got to cook for her daughter one last time.
sad, but when it happens; one needs to make the best of it.
I had to re-read this chapter several times before I finally realized that the filly at the beginning is Scootaloo. I thought at first this was about Derpy and Dinky.
I'd been waiting for this chapter. I'd been wanting to know how exactly Scootaloo lost her mother in the Xenoverse. I just didn't expect it to be so... clean. Well done, and thank you for the PSA.
God dammit...
That was the chap I was waiting for too.
It was fantastic, and my heart goes out to phucknuckl and his friend.
Nuf said, scuse me while I go read some cute mindless fluff for a while.
I feel this deserves a better comment because of how good it is but there's a typo.
Other than that, uhm ... I really liked it and the PSA at the end didn't feel at all out of place. Also thought it was Derpy and Dinky until Sccots shouts out she's going to see RA-rity? I HONESTLY thought that's who she was referencing for some unknown reason until I started to read the comments. Not that there was a comment that mentioned it, just for some reason it 'clicked' in the comment section. I am not a smart pony. I ... am not a pony, go fig.
As to the author, this was well done. I don't know how much fiddling QM did with it but you should write more. Run stuff through an editor to catch the minor mistakes and I think you'll do fine as a writer. At least in fanfiction.
Maybe it's lost in a previous chapter, but I don't know who this is about... Still a powerful read and powerful message. And an important one.
If anyone who reads this ever needed someone anonymous to speak to about an issue related to this chapter talk to me. Pm me. Contact me. I will gladly listen, I will try to help. If you need a ear, a shoulder, or more importantly a friend ill be here. I think I can say the same of many others.
Thank you for the chapter author. It was truly great.
5044896 this is about scotaloo mother and her train accident
First... I must credit you, PhunknuckL, for a truly wonderful story. I truly wasn't expecting it to take quite that turn, and I felt myself deeply touched. It's indeed a valuable warning -- that you still got to keep your eye on suicidal folks even when it SEEMS like things are on the upswing for them -- and I sorry it came to you at such a cost.
Second... I can't believe what an abysmally selfish thing she did to her daughter. I mean, now Scootaloo will surely blame herself for what befell her mom. She'll always think things like, "What if I'd been a little nicer to her? What if I'd been a little more perceptive? What if I'd been a little more helpful? Then maybe I'd still have a mother..."
Third... I kind of want a follow-up to this story. What must it be like for Teenage Scootaloo, moving in with Rainbow Dash's herd after a bombshell like THAT?
5044976 Umm... I don't think 'accident' is the right word.
More like sit on the tracks and wait to be run over...
This is a sad, sad tale.
...Damn....
Dude. This wasn't just a community service announcement. This was a deep, emotional chapter that also informed about suicide. Thank you for this, and sorry for your loss.
That was pretty deep.
I didn't realize who this chapter was talking about until Lero read that letter... Then I reread the section with the train, and I was like "Oooohhhhh... Oh. Damn..."
Well, damn. This... there's really not much to say here. I can only hope Herd Bellerophon helps Scootaloo through the grieving process.
5045445 I had a friend once, whose father was killed by blunt force trauma to the back of the head, right where it connected to the neck and cerebral cord or whatever it's called. He withdrew info his self, not letting me or our other friends or even his brother in on his thoughts. Then finally my family's yearly camping trip came along, and I dragged him along for the ride. He starred to look less and less pale, until on the last day, as we were packing up, he gave me a small, sad smile, thanks me for being his friend, and then put his fishing great into the RV. After that, his estranged mom swooped in and picked him up, and I never saw him again.The last I heard of them was the phone message his mom put on his phone, telling me by name to stay away, I was ruining his life, and I should go jump in a ditch for trying to "help" him after his father's death, good riddance.
Not a year later, my mom died of pneumonia, and the only thing I can think about is his mom, who I'd never met before his father died, sounding so satisfied with her ex out of the way. I somewhat wondered if my father would feel the same after hearing that mom died. I still feel rather troubled at times, and this story gave that feeling again. I knew right away what was about to happen, and who it was came soon after, the "Ra-"was evidence enough for me.
I would also like to see how she handles this. I'd she just feels troubled and frowns, understanding but not comprehending, or if she breaks and curls deep within herself, inconsolable by even her best of friends.
Well this got a lot more positive reactions than I was expecting.
This is the first thing I have ever written, and was honored when TheQuietMan contacted me requesting to add this into XFT. I had initially tried to sneak this story as an AU into Oneshots as I was unsure how people would react to the death of Quickfix being an actual suicide. It's only been up less than 24hrs so time will tell.
Thank you all who expressed condolences for the loss of my mate. .
Something to think about is "Author's Note:" is not on any page if you download it = no pics/links/txt on saved pages when using the "Author's Note:" fields.
5047061
At first i wrote this off as an unimportant "if the author wanted us to know they would have told us" but then the mare started to try writing a letter and suddenly "RA" whoever they were seemed very important. It frightened me beyond all belief that i couldn't come up with the name until Rainbow Dash was mentioned much later in the story. I was even more frightened when i realized the child and mother hadn't been named.
As the note was slipped into Lero's pocket i knew what was about to happen and i prayed i was wrong about what was going on.
A very heart-wrenching segment here and i want to see how this particular arc plays out. I'm a fair bit behind on my Leroverse reading so hopefully some of it is explained in those i haven't read. If not i would hope TheQuietMan calls you back to tell us about Scoots and how she handles this.
fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/294/e/e/sleeping_princess_by_knifeh-d5iigio.jpg
I have feels now.
I didn't realize it wasn't Berry Punch and Ruby Pinch until after I read the comments, but that's even sadder.
5047709
Thank you for your comment, you expressed the exact sentiments I was trying to evoke from the reader and if I managed to do that for at least one person, I consider it a success.
As for continuing the arc I had never planned to more than this one off. I only wrote it to see if I could and thanks to TQM's assistance it turned out better than I had hoped.
I'm currently hashing out some plot ideas for sweet little Scootaloo to have some fun in the Xeroverse as all other submissions involving the young filly seam to involve some form of heartache.
5048750 I do have to say that some one, you or another writer, needs to keep the ball rolling. From Scootaloo being told, Herd Lero giving her comfort and guidance in a tough time, to her friends rallying around her. Maybe even have Diamond Tiara not act like a douche, showing even she's hu... pony.
Geez dude. Don't make me cry at work.
5048750 Good job with the chapter.
Also big thanks for the tip. I would never suspect that person changing her life for better after some heavy depression could have better morale thanks to...you know, ending it. I'm still depressed but I really don't see myself ending things like that. Slowly all is becoming a little better for me, at least in my head.
beautiful chapter sadly beautiful
ahhhggg really full of feelings
and the end was excellent
sad but excellent
Oh, geez.
I totally empathise with her.
I feel like this was written by someone who only had an outside perspective though.
You wrote out a very emotional and evocative piece here, thank you so much for this as well as for the behavioral warning. The music you chose for this really brought it all together. I need to go process the feelings you've given me, Again, thank you, and I'm so sorry about your friend.
6220756
Thank you for your kind words. I hadn't looked at this for quite some time. I only did today to get the link for someone. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I wrote it.
I'm still no writer, and it's humbling to know that this chapter still has the ability to effect readers. It's the brief little comments like this that remind me why I did it in the first place.
You can thank TheQuietMan for the song choice. Bloke's got a gift for that sort of thing.
Your condolences are appreciated a if I'm going to be honest, the degree to which I am still afflicted by the passing has been significantly reduced. Thanks in no small way to this site and readers like yourself. Taking the time to pop a few heart felt words onto a chapter that has not seen correspondence in nearly a year.
Once again I thank you.
You have mates,
PhucknuckL
Missing a comma.
And again.
Dude. The anticipation takes up half of this feels train already.
The first scene really gave a The Crow vibe. Until she started working on the letter, and talking about being late. Also, for some reason, I read RA as Rarity, which made me think this was about Sweetie Belle/Cookie Crumbles, or whatever her Xenoverse name is. Somewhere near the page break, I realized it was Rainbow, making this Scootaloo and her mom, like I first thought.