//------------------------------// // Raindrops, As It Were // Story: Friendship Is Monotone // by Shukawarioserfi //------------------------------// After the um... incident at breakfast dad decided it would be best to eat at home, much to my dismay. On our way back to our home in ponyville, I managed to see a sky blue pergasus-pony with a rainbow colored mane clearing the clouds. I've seen my father clear the clouds before, though he spends most of his working days helping with precipitation production. "Um." I turn my head to him. "What is it you do for work exactly?" "Interesting question son." My dad complimented. "I help with water condensation." My dad looked cool and collected answering this question, like he was proud of his job. I however, hadn't the slightest clue about what water condensation is. "What is water consummation?" I ask, trying to recite the word as well as I could. Dad laughed and blushed a little. "Water condensation is how you turn water into raindrops." He said, taking a breath. "Simply put, I make it rain." I nod politely in understanding. I feel like he's referencing something. "Okay dad. You know, I've always wondered about your job. Even though I'll never be able to do it myself." I move my head, staring at my wingless torso. I know that my real mother is an earth pony, but I hate that my older brother inherited wings from my dad and I didn't. It makes me feel inferior. Even though, my older brother hasn't amounted to much. My dad ruffles through my mane reassuringly. "You'll be fine. Earth ponies have strength. I mean, I wish I had the strength you have." He smiled at me. I made my best attempt to smile back, even though I'm still hurt about never being able to fly no matter what. I'll be grounded for the rest of my life- literally I stare up ahead and keep walking. I don't know what to say after that conversation. All that I can think of now is not being able to fly, and how hungry I am after missing breakfast. I stare at the ground up ahead, laying my head down in humiliation. I'm always humiliated by something, whether it is my own anxieties or the endless number of strange ponies staring at me as I walk. These days, it seems like I'm at everypony's mercy. I focus not on anypony else, but on our house ahead as I enter. My dad quickly follows me into the living room. "Are you okay?" He asks. I nod silently as he responds with a shrug. "You know, you've gotten pretty big lately..." I chuckle at that. "But if you want I can take you flying sometime." My eyes light up. "You'd do that?" I say, looking up eagerly at dad. "Of course." Dad hugs me. I smile. "Just don't tell your sister." Hmm... my sister. I can't believe I forgot to mention her. She's basically bedridden. I mean, not literally but she kinda sleeps until 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. I always find it funny that Copper doesn't ever wake her up for chores. She is her actual daughter though and being my stepsister, we are not actually biological siblings. Her name is Tomato Paste and she has a green coat, darker than coppers, with and a brilliant red mane. Her cutie mark looks a lot like blood, and I've always thought it was blood considering she got it after she cut herself for the bazillionth time. Accidentally of course. "I most certainly won't." I laugh slightly. Copper Leaf enters the living room, my laughter ends almost instantaneously. "What's this about flying?" Copper Leaf asks with her eyebrow raised. I wince. "Mono wanted to go outside for awhile and watch me fly, isn't that right." Dad said, before turning his head and winking at me. I hate it when he does this, I'm a terrible liar. Especially in front of her. "Uh yeah..." I start to sweat as she stares me down. I crack a few seconds later. "I wasn't going to watch dad fly I was going to fly with him." She keeps up her truth telling stare, making sure no honest information is omitted. My irises shrink, and the truth comes spilling. "I also ripped the bag of chicken feed this morning. I ate all of the squash yesterday and I only did half of my chores this morning." She growls. "Get them done." She points, leading me outside. I sigh. "Yes, mom." I go outside. I have no idea what to do, because I didn't even listen to figure out all of my required chores for the day. I go ahead and start raking. Immediately as I grab the rake, it starts to rain. I sigh again. "Raindrops. As it were." I kick the rake in frustration and pout. I can't even think of the horror that is going on inside with her and my dad alone. Well it can't be that bad, he loves her for a reason. I shiver. "It's either chores or nothing." I say to myself. "Why don't I have any friends?" I squint up ahead in the rain. I swear I see Princess Celestia, but I shake it off as a hallucination. It wasn't until she got close enough that I realized she real. I stand in awe, before quickly bowing in respect. "Pr-Princess Celestia." My mouth is hung ajar in suspense. I see her being followed by a disgruntled draconequus. "Monotone, is it?" Celestia says warmly. I nod. Still stunned and speechless. "I have assigned you a mentor to help you find some friends. I realized that you were the only friendless pony in ponyville. Everypony I seemed to ask had no idea who you were." She frowns consolingly. I don't take that as a compliment. "Discord?" She turns back to the draconequus standing behind her. He clears his throat. "Well, per orders by her magesty I must help you find friends. You are to write to me every week and report what you have learned about friendship." He recited, as if from verbatim. "I am your new master." Celestia glared at him. He chuckled nervously, correcting himself. "I mean, mentor." I laugh slightly. "Well if any of you think that my family will just let me leave..." I look back to the front door of my house. Copper Leaf is already waving. "Figures." I sigh. "Now if you will please accompany Discord to your new living quarters in Ponyville." Celestia says. I follow Discord and stare at her in awe as she leaves. There's something about how her mane glistens in the rain. It's beautiful. "This will be the hardest thing I ever do in my life." Discord says silent to himself. "How am I supposed to help this pathetic pony find friends." Normally this criticism would hurt me, but I'm used to having a harsh master. At least I'll get a chance to find friends. To prove him wrong.