//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 - Heartwarming Awkwardness, Somber Realization // Story: On The Wings of Wind // by Chazonic //------------------------------// As I rejoined the waking world, I became aware of my mildly discomforting position in my bed. I typically sleep on my back or side, so waking up to find myself sleeping on my stomach is a bit unusual, not that it hasn't happened before. I try to shift to a more comfortable position when I felt something move at my side, under my wing. I froze instantly. What just-- I felt another shift, followed by what feels like a nuzzle to my side. Looking, I see Scootaloo under my wing and her muzzle buried right below where my wing was connected. By this point, I was panicking internally. Here I was, a full grown stallion... for the most part, sleeping in bed with a filly I know next to nothing about. Sure, I spent a lot of time with her and her friends, but I knew there was a limit to everything. I look like a bucking pedophile... I just hope I can get out and down stairs before she wakes up... Checking the clock, I realize I got half an hour to get out and help clean the remains of the storm up, as well as reset the wind currents. However, when I lifted my wing, Scootaloo let out a small whimper and tried snuggling closer to me. I move away a bit and she follows me, eyes still closed with a sad frown. Jeez, rip my heart out and stomp on the pieces, why don't you? Why do fillies have to be so adorable, intentional or not? In the end, I decided to use my 'last resort'. I did this a lot to quickly get out of bed when I lived with my mom, whenever she started getting impatient or if I'm going to be late. I use my wings to 'throw myself out of bed, which was only possible due to their larger-than-normal size, landing me on my hooves in record time. It uses more energy than simply getting out, but it's good for when I need to leave in a hurry. I figured it would be the same thing, except I'm using my legs instead. Alright, it's do or die now. The launch off the bed was successful... ... If not for the fact that I forgot about not flipping myself in midair. *THUMP* It didn't hurt too bad, but it certainly woke Scootaloo up, judging by the panicked breathing. "Huh? what?" "Ow..." I see her poke her head out to look at me. "What were you doing?" Normally I have a decent enough poker-face, but I was failing horribly at hiding my embarrassed smile. "Uh... good morning! I, uh, tripped when I came up here to wake you up." She gives me a disbelieving look. "Eep... I swear I'm not a creep!" "Why am I in your house again?" I resisted facehoofing. "I brought you to my house because we couldn't get you home in time before the storm got bad." I noticed her sad look as I got off the ground. "What's up?" "N-nothing! Nothing at all!" My turn to give her a disbelieving look. "You acted weird two days ago when I mentioned walking you home, and you were rather reluctant yesterday about telling me where you live. I know I haven't known you for a long period of time, but at least let me hear your problems." She shuddered, looked around nervously, then sighed. "C-can you please keep a secret? I-I don't want my friends knowing about this..." "I... guess so. I have no idea why you don't want your friends to know--" "I-I don't have an actual home..." ...What? "I live in an... orphanage." Are you serious? Just what kind of game is fate playing here? Here is a filly who looked like she was on top of Equestria with her friends, only to constantly remind her she doesn't have an actual home... Scootaloo looked like she was close to crying, and I cursed whatever forces caused her this suffering. The best thing I could think of at that moment was giving her a hug. "Scootaloo, you know you don't have to suffer this alone." She looks up at me."Think about it, you got two great friends who would give you the fur off their backs if need be. I highly doubt they would abandon you over you being an orphan. Besides that, I'm sure somepony will take you in as their own one day. "Besides, you're already living life to it's fullest as a filly. You never let your status get in the way then, so why let it anytime soon?" She looks down at the bed for a second before looking at me with a... rather cute smile. "Thank you..." The ironic part is that I consider myself to be a pessimist. However, that way of thinking is NOT for a filly in any way, shape, or form. I look at the clock again. I got about twenty minutes left. "Since we got that sappy moment out of the way, need anything to eat?" After feeding Scootaloo, I escorted her back to the orphanage before work. I told the mare in charge of it why the filly never come back yesterday, and she thanked me for it. Scootaloo ran off to meet up with her friends, with a noticeable skip in her step. I still don't get why I did what I did last night. It feels like I was acting on an instinct that's long forgotten. I can't put my hoof on it... Oh well, better than a headache. The cleanup of the storm went well, though I had to get somepony to help me clear the clouds away. Ditzy was pretty good for it, although she almost crashed a few times. When I got to the farm, Big Mac informed me that I wouldn't be needed for the next few days. He then surprised me by giving me a small sack of bits. "Fer' helping." "Uh, it's no problem. Don't you need the bits more?" "We're currently fine financially." "If you say so. Thanks." After leaving, I check the amount of bits I got. It was a decent amount, more for spending on small things. I know exactly what I want to do with this. I decided to head to Sugar Cube Corner for the first time in a while, primarily because the pink pony wasn't around. I was greeted by a middle-aged mare with a blue coat and frosty-pink mane. "Hello, what can I get you?" "Just a chocolate cupcake for now." "For now?" She looks at me inquiringly as she got the cupcake for me. I simply smile. "You'll see me again later." After paying for the confection, I quickly grew to love the sweets the place had to offer. It tasted like it had some actual thought put into it, not like the ones in Manehatten. I wonder if these are the kinds of charms Nesium was talking about... Thinking back, I realize something with horror. I'm getting attached to somepony in this town and vice-versa. The crusaders somehow managed to get inside my heart, and that's not good for any of us. I hate to say it, but I need to watch my step again. Keep them at legs length as much as possible. I don't want anypony missing me when I leave after one year... When I exited the building, I saw the crusaders off in the distance. Deciding not to test my luck, I made a mad dash towards my house. Sighing to myself, I figured I would stay the rest of the day inside. After all, I can't get attached, or more attached, to anypony if I don't interact. Dragging out my writing materials, I started composing another letter to my mom. April 30, 20XX Dear Mom; I'll be brief, There has been a few things that happened to me since I last written to you and none of the are good for me or my health. First off, when Fluttershy burst into my house to escape ponies chasing her with cameras, my headaches got worse yet again. However, when she said something (I can't remember what), my head felt like it was splitting open, and I heard... voices echoing in my head. I have no idea what this pertains to, but she has joined Pinkie Pie on the list of ponies I'm avoiding. After that, I met a trio of fillies who call themselves the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'. They do various things to try and earn their cutie marks, and I wound up looking after them to make sure nopony got hurt. There's Applebloom, an earth pony who is the ringleader and Applejack's little sister. Sweetie Belle is the 'voice of reason', as I'm calling her, a unicorn, and little sister to Rarity. Finally, there's Scootaloo, a tomcoltish pegasus who has yet to fly. I took her into my house when a storm became too severe. Yet when I saw her scared in her sleep, I felt some kind of protective instinct rise up in me, and I slept beside her 'protectively'... Sadly, I feel I got too attached to these three fillies, them being so adorably innocent. Before you write to me about breaking their little hearts, I don't plan on doing that. I'm just going to avoid them until they forget about me, that way, none of us will be hurt when I leave. That's about it. You should write to me once in a while as well you know? Would be greatly appreciated. Love; Zephyr. Depositing the letter in the mail box, I simply laid in bed for all of the rest of the day. There have been knocks at the door, but I never bothered answering. After all, I want to make sure nopony will miss me...