//------------------------------// // -64- A Little Sweetness // Story: The Anthropologist // by Weavers of Dreams //------------------------------// "Please, tell me you took a shower," Lyra spoke into the hoof she was pressing against her face with a groan. The thestral mare rolled her eyes. "We didn't even get started, Lyra. This was all just preparation. The ropes are still a little lose even." Lyra gave a long-suffering sigh of defeat. "Where's papa?" "Taking care of something really quick," the mare said with a shrug as she began to remove the leash and slip out of the ropes. She giggled at the face her daughter gave. "Yes?" "Mama, there are children present," Lyra cried out in exasperation. Which then descended into a small fit of coughing. Her mother was quickly by her side, patting her back as she tried to shake the rest of the rope off of her hoof. "I'm okay, mama. Just need some rest is all. Oof." Henry was quick to make himself known. He had dashed forward and hugged the unicorn as though physical contact would help her. It probably did. The thestral was surprised at first. Then she chuckled and scooped him up in her hooves and nuzzled his face. "Well. Aren't you precious? What's you're name, little one?" "H-Henry M-M-Mindell," the colt stuttered as he looked into the mare's mouth and seeing her sizable fangs. He swallowed and tried to be brave. "A-and I'm not little." The mare threw her head back and laughed before nuzzling him again. "Of course your not. You're a big, strong stallion. Gonna have a great big herd someday, aren't you?" Henry, not really knowing what else to say, nodded. "I guess?" This caused her to burst out laughing again and nuzzle his cheeks softly. With that, she turned to the mare and stallion who had remained silent since she had appeared. "Hello there. Is this one yours?" "Kind of," said Bon Bon, offering a nervous smile, whilst Noteworthy nodded and said, "Yep." "Well, which is it?" Mama asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Actually, mama," Lyra began, reach out and taking Henry from her grasp and holding him up so that he was at eye level. Almost nose-to-nose with the winged creature. "Say hello your grandson, mama. Henry, this is your grandma, Mercury Melody." Mercury gasped and stared at the colt being held before her with a new understanding. Her eyes slowly began to water as she reached out to hold him again. "My... my grandson? Lyra... wh-when?" "Just yesterday, really," Lyra said watching her mother interact with her son. Henry seemed to be getting a little emotional as well, reaching out with a hoof to trace along the thestral's muzzle. "Right after I... joined that nice little herd I've been writing to you about these past few years." The mare's ears perked up at that, but she didn't take her eyes off of the colt she held so tenderly. "Oh? About time, dear. Honestly, I'm a little disappoint you didn't make the jump sooner. You were well on your way to become an old maid with all your secrets and fears." Lyra sighed and stepped up to lean against her, a warm leathery wing was quickly wrapped about her side. "I already found out yesterday how much time I wasted worrying over nothing. It hurt... a lot." Mercury gave her daughter a squeeze with her wing. "I figured as much." "So," Lyra said, looking at Henry. "What do think?" "He's perfect," her mother responded, breath hitching slightly. "I was beginning to grow worried you'd never give me any grandchildren. Henry? That's a human name isn't it? You adopted a human." Lyra nodded. "Yeah. An aligned. Just like me." Mercury chuckled and shook her head. "What are the odds?" Henry, having been silent this whole time, decided it was time to be heard. "Are you really my grandma?" Mercury nodded, sniffinf and nuzzling him. "Forever and always." "So, I can call you grandma then?" he asked, rather nervously. "As if I would allow you to call me anything else."