//------------------------------//
// Dust and Memories 
// Story: Cloudhammer's 255 Collection 
// by Cloudhammer 
//------------------------------//

	“Nimbus? Are you still unpacking those boxes?” Flare called as he trotted toward the back room, stepping carefully through the piles of stuff still to be put away. Stopping in the doorway, he took a moment to just watch his wife as she flitted about the room, sometimes literally, checking the contents of boxes.

“Flare, it’s been two weeks since we moved in. We need to do this sooner rather than later, after all.” Nimbus said as she stopped, staring down into a box.

“Well, why don’t you take a break, come on down to the beach with me and Breaker?” Flare asked, glancing over his shoulder as the clatter of hooves on wood announced their son’s arrival.

“Yeah, Mom! I want to go swimming with Jenny and Summer!” Breaker shouted eagerly, the three year old colt galloping awkwardly into the room.

“Why don’t you two go ahead, I’ll catch up. I just want to unpack this box really quick.” Nimbus said quietly.

“You alright, sweetheart?” Flare asked gently, starting to take a step forward.

“Flare, please.” She’d have fooled anypony else, but to Flare it was clear that something was bothering her deeply, and that it was something he couldn’t help her with.

“Alright. Come on Breaker, Mom’ll catch up with us.” Flare said, guiding the little colt out the front door.

“O-okay. Don’t take forever, Mom!” Breaker called over his shoulder as the two walked down the steps, the door closing behind them.

Nimbus just stared, her eyes starting to tear up a little. Very carefully, she lifted the picture frame out of the box. It showed a human male, standing next to an ungainly looking girl with a backpack. A school bus was in the background, the girl looking nervously at it.

Wiping at her eye with a wing, Nimbus gently laid the picture back in the box, leaving it open so the picture wasn’t covered. “I’m sorry Dad, I should have come to visit sooner. I finally got married, though it wasn’t exactly the storybook romance.” She chuckled. “I’ve even got a son now, maybe I’ll bring him by.” Sighing, she trotted toward the front door. “I’ll see you soon.” Closing the door behind her, she left the house silent, the picture staring forlornly at the ceiling.