Patient: Leo
Characteristics: Green eyes, medium blue coat, blue/black mane, five years old, parents Lucky Day and Blue Mist, guardians to be Thundertail and Herbal Essence
Report: Leo was admitted to North Star Hospital on April 2nd with a fetlock fracture, leg bites, a mild sickness, and severe itching after being found outdoors by Herbal Essence and Thundertail. He was quickly treated for external injuries, although possible abuse and psychological problems were noted by Doctor Night, who referred him to me.
Much of his first two days could be described as “hectic”. Several times he broke down and on multiple occasions self-harmed in an attempt to ground himself. He consistently appeared conflicted and extremely resistive to help. He also had extreme reactions to receiving medication, in particular pain medication, and to being near his mother, Blue Mist. He has admitted to taking the former, although he claims it’s of his own accord, and to being abused by his mother, although he refuses to go into detail. He consistently asserted that he "hates being a colt" and that he "hates his life". While he does seem troubled and upset by his situation, he displays frustration more than anything else. He was constantly tense, and his general mood could be described as anxious.
He was then transferred to East Baltimare Regional for the following three days, where he became much more relaxed. During this time, he could be described as apathetic, although slowly getting better with time. While disinterested in activities outside of magic use, including interacting with other doctors and nurses, he did occasionally try to engage with what others have planned for him. He still presents severe self confidence issues, and still seems to believe that things that befall him are his fault. While he sleeps, he commonly appears distressed, and has admitted to having bad dreams. He has also admitted to feeling older than he is, and occasionally presents himself as such, although refuses to discuss just how old he feels. Based on how he’s reacted to his situation, a good estimate appears to be around nine, although this could be a tad higher, with a reasonable maximum of about twelve. His magic field is still extremely weak, but seems to be strengthening with time and use. However, he’s likely to stay at least a bit behind his peers into adulthood.
Despite all of these things, he is bright and seems to have an above-average awareness for what goes on around him. He seems keenly aware of what's being discussed and what it means for him, and can easily discern when things might not be going the way he wants. He seems to have a high intellect, and despite his "homeschooling", we shouldn’t be surprised if he were to excel in public school.
Also, he has developed an extreme fondness for the couple who found him, in particular Herbal Essence, and has expressed an intense desire to live with them. Given his circumstances, this is likely the best course of action for him, despite Thundertail’s previous history. However, Thundertail has been warned that any action that could be perceived as negligent or careless will be cause for Leo’s removal.
In regards to Thundertail, he has been previously charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct, however, he has agreed to go to one session of substance abuse counseling per month for the next year, as well as have visits by me to Leo in his home twice per week until otherwise determined.
While Leo hasn't directly stated much about his mother besides being hurt by her, sexual abuse appears almost certain based on Leo's reactions to her and his father's interview, which he described her "helping" Leo with his daily activities, as well as "calming him down" during the night.
In regards to Blue Mist and Lucky Day, Blue Mist has been officially charged with foal abuse. She has a trial scheduled within the month, with myself speaking on Leo's behalf. On Lucky Day, it is still to be determined if he’ll be allowed to visit Leo, as more information needs to be gathered.
Treatment: Leo needs a home where he can feel safe and gain confidence in himself, and despite pushing the limit, it does seem as though Herbal Essence and Thundertail can provide him such. As well, they will be made aware of how they can and cannot interact with him, and what the expectations are to have him stay with them. He will also need counseling, which will be administered by myself, as well as interaction with colts and fillies his age.
All in all, if these things can be achieved, Leo’s prognosis looks excellent, and he should be expected to develop into a bright and happy colt.
-Dr. Ivory Spark
Ivory Spark read through what she had written, and felt... awful. Awful because she didn't feel like she was being honest. She wasn't sure she wanted Leo staying with Thundertail. There was too much risk involved. She wasn't as concerned about how Leo might be influenced by the stallion as she was with how he would react if the stallion proved himself unfit to take care of him. If Leo had to be taken away from Herbal Essence because Thundertail couldn't control himself, she'd be back to square one in terms of dealing with the colt and trying to help him. She was lucky enough that hadn't happened twice already, and knew it wasn't a good thing to try and push luck this way. No, actually, it was flat out irresponsible of her to do so. She should refer his case to a judge in Canterlot and have him placed with a unicorn couple.
However, she wanted his case to remain her own. More than that, however, she wanted to keep him comfortable and around familiar faces. It was poor reasoning, dangerous reasoning. Sure, it might help him get better more quickly, but a small setback now, followed by slow, steady progress, was better than risking a future setback, when it would be harder to help him. Still, she couldn't stand to see the colt so upset. He’d already been through a lot, and didn’t want to add to that. However, she might inadvertently add to it if Thundertail screwed everything up.
She decided she was going to speak with Leo, and left her report to make her way to his room. He was with another nurse, once again practicing using magic, and was able to pick the chip up about half a foot now.
“That’s good work, Leo!” she said, putting a smile on her face for him. “Is it okay if I speak to you for a little while?” The colt quickly put on a concerned look, dropping the chip from his grasp.
“It’s nothing bad,” she assured him. “I promise. I just need to talk to you about Thundertail.”
“Okay…” Leo answered skeptically, unsure of where this was going.
She sighed. She didn’t want to have this conversation with him, but knew she would have to. “Leo,” she started again, “do you know what disorderly conduct means?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, well, he got in trouble because he wasn’t behaving himself in public, and-”
“I would tell you if he was going to hurt me,” Leo interrupted, getting ahead of her.
“I understand that, but the thing is that Thundertail has certain things he has to do now, and he has to do them exactly the way it's supposed to be done. If he messes even one thing up, I’ll have to take you away from him and Herbal Essence. I’m telling you this now because I need you to know that if that does happen, it’s not your fault, or anything that you did. Okay?”
The colt looked a bit concerned at that, but reluctantly answered, "Okay."
Things start to look up. Lets hope for the best. I wonder if Trixie could make a guest visit someday. She loves to impress the little ones ♡
History and geography will suck balls but math etc will be a breeze Protige maybe?
Did Luna ever had a protige? Or Cadance?
Wonder what Flurryheart is doing this days...
Nice chapter, now it makes more sense as to why Thundertail makes him an unfavorable candidates of custody of Leo and would allow a reasonable argument why he could be sent away from the couple the couple if he ever screw's up. I wonder what's allowed Thundertail so behave that way, I take it he doesn't know how to stop drinking, or has bad drinking buddies. Still I wonder how long ago that happened and I would wonder how he would take the warning about what would happen if he skews up again. I wonder if he wanted to take care of Leo because is was just a passion in the moment of how they found the Leo or if it is really a truly want to become a father figure to someone? I would guess that he will skew up and Leo will be sent elsewhere for his sake. I don't think would Sparks trust Leo's affirmation that he would tell her if Thundertail would do anything wrong, as he couldn't when Blue Mist until he had ran away, and he seems. Maybe having Thundertail crew up might be a wakeup call to Leo that Spark's might actually know what is best for him after all. For Leo's weak magic field I wonder how he will take the news that he is way behind in his magic compared to other foals, on the other hand, it prediction might be based off the idea that he might not endeavor to strengthen his magic though lots of practice and therapy, but he will have to overcome his anxiety issues first and not give up on the first sign that he can't compete with other foals in magic at the moment, this would be a first real chance to see if he can really take advantage of his second chance at a do over in life. I would wonder how in Canterlot would take Leo in that are cannon, to the show who would take Leo in, Twilight Velvet and Nightlight, Fancy Pants and Fleur, Jetset and upper Crustupper Crust, Corryander and Sapheron, Chancellor Neighsay, Stygian, Principal Cinch, Trenderhoof, Doctor Horse, Doughnut Joe? Or maybe he could be sent to Sire's Hollow for Sunburst and Starlight's parents?
Looking good so far.
I think this is a typo.
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Thanks, got it fixed
It's possible Leo could provide a mutual assist to Thundertail, we'll see how determined they are.
Someone's getting a little too attached, that might be trouble later...
Keep going! ;)
So Thundertail agreed to work on himself. I wonder if he’s going to surprise us and be a good father figure or if he’s going to make a mistake. But I am really looking forward to seeing some more interaction between Leo and Thundertail. Hopefully some positive interactions!
As always, looking forward to more! Stay safe and healthy too, my friend.
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I remember reading an interview with the late Jerry Garcia (lead singer of The Grateful Dead)
He said it was REALLY tough raising a kid, you tell them "Don't do this or that" & they just give you this look. We both know that I did worse at a younger age.
Oh boy, I know Ivory Spark doesn't know he used to be a drug addict but I'm getting some serious foreboding with sending Leo to live with someone who has an alcohol issue. I could be wrong but yikes this has relapse written all over it.
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Funny enough i see Alcohol and drug abuse as two different things. Alcohol needs more and longer than poping in a pill or getting a powder sniffed.
She has to know that that sounds like she's encouraging him to lie if things do get bad, right? Because in the context of "child really wants to stay with these people", telling said child that if they say one of those people messed up they'd be taken away from them, the implication is clear.
Holy crap, depending on the substance he abused/intoxicated himself with, this could be a great point of bonding and relationship building between them. It doesn't say much about his use being consistent or how recent it was, but it could shape up really well should they both be determined to get clean together.
Oh boy. No one knows the pain of parenting, being a man, and the legal system biases. I've seen both nasty sides of this coin growing up and similar cases as well. When my dad divorced his wife and tried to get 50/50 custody and visitation no child support for either parent the fact that he got drunk once like 10 years ago and had a fight in the casino was somehow enough to deny him any custody and force child support on him. His wife, despite having no job, no real network, no skills, multiple DUIs, and very little child-rearing experience got full custody of my sister.
And I didn't see my sister again until a few months before we made this account.
Like, dang, how long ago were Thundertail's charges? Does he have a history of substance abuse or violence? Dr. Sparks is way too harsh in her judgment of Thundertail. Dude ain't even do anything other than come to bat in Leo's defense. It was hothead, sure, but the heat on him seems undue.
There's a lot unsaid thus far.
I have a feeling thundertail is going to screw up and he will be removed from them, mainly because well (stories needs an antagonist/ issue) i can just see him meeting the CMC
Despite Thundertail's record, I think Spark is judging him to badly. In the job, sure, required measures and checks are needed and are understandable, but as a person (or pony, in this case), I think she is too quick to judge him. I just hope her concerns aren't the things that happen.
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oh, this remind me of an old story i read where a man's ex-wife FRAMED him for "failure to pay child support" by intentionally re-directing his payments...
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oh, you reminded me of a silly comic on DeviantArt called "shifting changelings lies and secrets" by "momenope" where Luna somehow made a spiritual connection with her apprentice" when she had NO idea who it was.
it's Derpy, who is a renegade changeling!