//------------------------------// // Brighter Futures // Story: Rejected // by -Arcana- //------------------------------// Lyra plopped herself down onto the couch in her iconic sitting position. Her hooves gripped a plate holding a slice of Bonbon’s famous strawberry pie. She would have levitated the plate, but her magic was currently occupied playing a tune on the lyre which Lyra affectionately referred to as her “Lazy Song.” The clock showed that in a couple hours Bonbon and Tootsie would be back from work and school respectively. So far this afternoon was shaping up to be just the kind that Lyra enjoyed. She heard the door open and assumed that Bonbon had come home from work early. Putting down her pie she went to greet her smiling wife, only to find her daughter, Tootsie Flute, face stained with tears. Lyra was surprised and devastated to see her daughter so sad. She instantly wanted to make Tootsie feel better, though she was unsure how she would do that. Bonbon had always been better in these situations. Lyra tried to say something reassuring, but she was cut off when Tootsie ran past her into her room. She winced at the sound of the door slamming, feeling that that could have gone better. Looking across the room she saw the piece strawberry pie, a reminder of what she thought was gonna be a happy afternoon. That wasn’t important now. Tootsie Flute was sad, and right now Lyra’s prime directive was to make her feel better Tootsie Flute was on her bed when her mother came in to the room. Lyra didn’t say anything, too fearful that she might say something stupid; instead she sat at the foot of her child’s bed, and placed the piece of strawberry pie on the bedside table. Tootsie looked up at her momma. She was unable to articulate just how hurt she was, so she didn’t say anything. She just looked up at her mother, and her mother looked down on her with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. When the silence became too much to bare, Lyra finally spoke. “Tootsie… Why are you crying?” Tootsie wiped her tears away, and tried as best as she could to explain her heartbreak. “I thought... I thought I liked this filly, but… she didn’t like me.” The last part came out as a hiccup as a new wave of tears came forth. Lyra pulled the filly close, finally understanding. Of course sadness like this could only be due to love. Lyra herself had felt such stings before in her past and new only too well how painful unrequited love could be. “You know Tootsie; your Momma here went through this exact same experience when she was younger.” Lyra said. Tootsie looked up at her mother, “Really?” Lyra nodded. “What did you do about it?” “Well, I cried at first, but then I began thinking. I told myself, ‘If this is how it’s meant to be then I guess she isn't my true love after all.’ I even stayed friends with her to this day. And I did finally find my true love,” Lyra smiled and stroked Tootsie’s head, “Your momma.” “So everything turned out all right?” “Yep, and it will turn out all right now too. I promise.” Tootsie Flute felt better knowing that she would feel better in the future, but she still felt bad now and didn't know what to do about it. Lyra saw her daughter’s sadness and felt that despite all she had done she still failed. Was there anything left she could do to cheer up her daughter? A thought struck her and she smiled. She still had one last trick left up her sleeve. Lyra’s horn glowed and her lyre from the living room into Tootsie’s. Lyra began plucking out notes with her magic, letting the song she knew by heart flow out. Tootsie was confused at first, but began to catch on as she recognized the melody. Lyra was playing Tootsie’s favorite song for her, just as she had promised. Listening to the song, Tootsie began to feel her sadness subside. She dried her eyes, and slowly shifted closer to her mother, pulling her into a tight embrace. Lyra smiled and returned the hug, not once breaking her concentration on the song. She never told anyone, but this was her favorite song as well, because it was the song that made her daughter smile. The two held each other as the notes drifted through the house. Their love for each other was enough to overtake Tootsie unrequited love for Twist. The song ended and Tootsie stared up at her mother. They shared a smile that held all the love that a mother and daughter could muster for each other. Lyra kissed her daughter on the forehead, right below the horn, and whispered, “Tootsie, if you ever feel sad again, just tell me and I’ll be sure to play this song for you.” Tootsie rose up from her bed and smiled the brightest smile she could, “Thank you, Momma.” Tootsie Flute said. Lyra felt so overjoyed to hear those words. She had been so afraid she wouldn’t be able to lighten her daughter’s mood, but now she had done it and it felt so great. In the doorway, Bonbon stood and watched so proud of her wife and daughter. Slowly she walked back down the hall to the kitchen to get a meal ready for the two ponies she loved the most. ---------- On the morning of the next school day all the little fillies and colts were sitting down and getting ready for class. Twist glanced at Truffle Shuffle who sat next to her. He smiled at her, and she quickly blushed and turned away. When she turned she noticed that Tootsie Flute had just come to class and was sitting at her desk. “Hey Tootthie, I didn’t thee you during Hearth and Hoovth day. Where’d you go” Twist asked. Tootsie smiled at her friend and responded, “Yea I wasn’t feeling well, but my momma helped me feel better.” Tootsie had decided not to tell Twist about what had happened on Hearts and Hooves day. After all, Twist was happy with her new coltfriend, and Tootsie Flute was happy to remain her friend. Perhaps she would find new love with somepony else, but for now she was happy to have the friends and family who loved her already.