The Anthropologist

by Weavers of Dreams


-71- Breakfast With Grandma

The side of Henry's neck itched something fierce. So he woke up.

The small colt found himself no longer surrounded by the Threstral, but by that other mare named Bon Bon. Though Lyra had told him that her proper title was now Auntie Bon Bon. Or Auntie Bonny. Sometimes just Auntie. He was comfortable cuddling with Auntie, as he'd known her for quite a while. But, he wasn't too interested in continuing to do so at the moment.

He needed to find a bathroom something fierce.

After several minutes of slowly crawling over both Twist and the good mare, he managed to extract himself from the cuddle pile without waking either of them. He grinned tiredly in success and promptly toppled over the edge of the bed. Hurray for an extra durable body, and being a tough colt. He only sniffled a little bit.

managing to exit the room quietly, he wandered the halls for a bit, until he found a maid, who bid him a "good morning" and led him to the nearest water closet. After he finished his business there, he exited the room to find his grandmother waiting patiently for him.

"Good morning, Henry," she cooed as she swept him up into a hug. "Slept well, I trust?"

"Good morning... Grandma," Henry replied cautiously. This seemed to make the mare very happy, which in turn, boosted his confidence. "Yes, I slept fine."

"Glad to hear it." She quickly tossed him up in the air, making him squeak in surprise, and then allowing him to land atop her head where he instinctively gripped with all four hooves. The mare laughed. "Well, get comfy, dear, I'm going to take you to the dining room. I was thinking, maybe you'd like to have some breakfast with me?"

"I'd like that, Grandma," Henry said, lifting his muzzle above his grandma's silky mane. It was actually rather comfortable up there. Not to mention it smelled nice.

"Well, hold on tight," Mercury said roguishly as she spread her wings in preparation to take flight. But the colt's terrified shriek made her trip over her own hooves.

"No! Please," he cried out, gripping the sides of her head even harder. The only reason he hadn't been flung forward when she fell. "I'm scared of heights. Please don't fly."

"Oh?" The thestral carefully picked herself back up and shifted her eyes upwards to try and see him on his perch. "My goodness. Grandma's so sorry, dear. I just didn't realize."

"I-it's okay, I'm sorry," Henry said quietly. He hated to admit that. It made him feel weak.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," she firmly replied with some concern. Colts would usually keep up a brave façade at least. His fear of heights must really be something awful. Acrophobia. "I'll walk us there instead. Is that alright?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, Grandma."

Not wanting him to feel upset, Mercury ensured to put a few hops in her walk. This made him giggle a bit. By the time they reached the dining room, he was laughing uproariously while she had marched and danced in a rather silly fashion the whole way. The maids they passed were amused as well as they greeted their employer and her grandson.

"What would you like for breakfast, Henry?" the mare asked as she sat down at the table, placing Henry on her lap.

His answer was immediate.

"A cinnamon roll, please," he responded excitedly. The mare chuckled.

"Well, you heard the colt," she told the maids that stood awaiting orders. They nodded, and one quickly took off with to deliver the order to the chef. The others stayed behind to set the table.

Mercury accepted a bib and promptly tied it about the colt's neck, patting him on the head once she was done. "Have to make sure you stay clean. You're gonna have a big day today."

He looked up at her questioning. "Huh?"

"I am going shopping today," she answered with a smile. Then she noticed the expression on his face. "Oh, don't worry. It'll just be me and your Auntie Bon Bon. While you and your sister, Twist, will be spending the day with your Grandpa. While your mother and father will more than likely be... busy for a while longer yet."

"I'll say," a passing maid said, balancing a large tray of assorted goodies upon her head. "They requested breakfast, lunch and dinner be brought whilst they're resting up for later."

"That's my girl," Mercury smiled brightly, causing the maid to laugh.

"I can call him Grandpa, right?" Henry asked the mare, reminding her that he was there.

"A little insecure, isn't he?" a nearby pegasus maid mentioned. She withered under the glare her mistress shot at her.

"You will address my grandson with the respect he is due," Mercury warned her, before turning back to the colt and smiling. "Yes. He would be quite upset if you didn't, Henry. He's really looking forward to bonding with both you and Twist today."

"Oh, okay," Henry nodded, understanding.

"Would you like some refreshments?" the pegasus maid asked, hoping to smooth over her earlier misstep. "Something breakfasty? Orange juice? Apple cider? Milk?"

Henry went deep into thought before the chuckling of the matriarch brought him back to reality. "Bring a pitcher of each, Ceiling Duster."

"Yes, mistress," the maid answered smartly, promptly turning to go gather the items.

"And make it snappy."

"Yes mistress!" She bolted towards the kitchens.

Mercury rolled her eyes and sighed wearily. "She should just be glad that Betty didn't catch her."

The maid quickly returned with three large pitchers and two glasses. Mercury promptly dismissed her from the dining room and began serving the drinks herself. "There, now, how about we both out with some nice refreshing Apple Family apple cider. Just one glass, mind you. Any more might give you the trots. Not a fun experience, I'll tell you."

Soon afterwards, the cinnamon roll was brought out and set before the colt who looked at it with amazement.

"It's bigger than me," he gaped in disbelief at the steaming giant pastry. "I don't think I can eat all of this, Grandma."

"Well, of course not," the mare chuckled, grabbing a fork for herself. "You wouldn't mind if an old mare joins you, would you?"

Henry blushed and shook his head. "Of course not. I'll share, Grandma."

"Good. Now, what would you like over top of it? We have honey, maple syrup, royal jelly, cream cheese frosting, peanut butter, and an assortment of jams."

Another moment of coltish indecision prompted the mare to just add a bit of everything with gleeful sounds. Then the two ponies made quite a sticky spectacle devouring the warm piece of heaven. The maids couldn't help but laugh quietly and feel happy for their kind mistress and her grandson.