//------------------------------// // New Beginnings with Familiar Trimmings // Story: Integration // by CoAlFire //------------------------------// Las Pegasus. Sin City. Well, as sinful as ponies ever got, which really was fairly tame compared to the changeling standard. Shows like “CSI” really gave this city a worse reputation than it deserved. Murders – contrary to what the aforementioned show might have led one to believe – were exceptionally rare events. Crime was still a bit higher overall than the average in Equestria, but even that, when one looked at the statistics, was very tame. The little that did occur in there was usually the result of overindulgence, and was frequently resolved the following morning with a swift and sincere apology. Ponies were really very gentle by and large. Echo looked out the window of her bedroom at the lights down below, illuminating the ground like a fireworks show in the dark. She took a moment to consider how she got here. She'd wanted to be recognized for more than just being a changeling that managed to adapt to life with ponies, and she wanted her work to be recognized for more than the fact that she made it. She didn't want to just be a subject for ponies' curiosity. As grateful as she was to Rarity, she needed more for her new daughter. She wanted to be a mother her daughter would be proud of. Living in Ponyville and being Rarity's assistant paid the bills, but didn't leave much room for growth. So, once she had garnered enough skill to be a competent seamstress in her own right, she respectfully resigned from her position at Carousel Boutique, took the money she had saved up over the year before moving, and bought out a studio here in Las Pegasus. She'd made a good name for herself, and was now the owner of her own company, specializing in custom clothing. She initially had done all the work herself, but as demand had increased, she had hired a few extra hooves on Rarity's recommendation. Truthfully, it really had made things easier. Regardless, it was slow going, but she was making enough to live comfortably on and had started to save money for her daughter's future. She turned quietly and decided to grab a quick drink before settling into bed for the night. She walked into the hallway and past Scootaloo's room. Scootaloo. She was a different matter altogether. She had not taken the move to Las Pegasus well, but she had tried so hard. Echo had approached the situation as gently as she could back when when they'd originally decided to move out of Ponyville. She actually had included the filly in the process. She had called Scootaloo down one night after she'd finished her homework and told her about what was happening, explained her motivation. She even asked if Scootaloo would be okay with it. She didn't want to force this on her. Scootaloo had been concerned about losing contact with her friends. Fortunately, that hadn't happened, since Twilight was more than willing to facilitate letter deliveries. Still, it had now been two years since the last time the fillies had seen each other. Scootaloo had not really made any new friends at her new school in Las Pegasus, and Echo was beginning to worry that she was becoming isolated. It seemed to reflect in her daughter's mood. She was less energetic, more on-edge. Less happy-go-lucky and more quiet. Maybe she was just getting older? Since they were now coming up on Scootaloo's 13th birthday, Echo decided that a short trip home was in order – maybe it would help the filly's mood. The only question was how to make it happen. It would be nice to provide her daughter with a surprise party, but arriving back in Ponyville would be quite the spoiler. She poured a glass of milk and hummed while dripping a little chocolate syrup into it and stirring. Chocolate milk may have been a bit juvenile, but, well, it's not like anypony was watching. Her ears twitched when she heard a cough from behind her. Scootaloo stood, rubbing one eye and yawning. “Hey Mom. Couldn't sleep. Can I have a glass?” “It's 2 in the morning, Feather-duster... why are you up?” “Why are you?” She paused and chuckled, pulling another glass from the cabinet and pouring out more milk. “Good point. What woke you?” Scootaloo shrugged. “Dunno. Still tired, but felt kinda thirsty.” She accepted the glass of chocolate milk with a smile and a quick “thank you.” “So...” Segues never were Echo's strong suit. “You excited for your birthday?” Scootaloo's ears fell and she kicked the kitchen floor a bit. “Yeah.” “Thought about what you want for your birthday present?” “I mean... there is that new scooter I saw down at the store. That thing looks fast!” “Aren't you fast enough already?” Echo raised an eyebrow. Scootaloo looked up and let a little grin cross her lips. “Not even close.” Echo laughed and ran a hoof through Scoot's mane. “You sure you're not related to Dashie by blood?” “Pretty sure. We don't really look alike.” Echo smiled and took Scootaloo's empty glass, setting it in the sink and running a little water. “All right, well, we'll revisit the birthday thing in the morning. Don't you get up out of that bed before 6, though, missy, except for bathroom breaks.” Scootaloo groaned. “Fine, Mom. Good night.” “Love you bird-brain.” “Same here bug-face.” Echo kissed Scootaloo's forehead gently and shooed her away, walking over to another window in the living room, although her thoughts were far away. Something's not right. She thought to herself. I'm living in one of the most busy, active, interesting cities in the country. I've got a successful business, a beautiful daughter... what am I missing? Why do I feel so empty here? She began to ask herself questions. What do you do besides work? Do you even know what's been happening out there in the real world for the past 2 years since you've been here? Do you have any friends? She began to answer her own questions. She knew she had friends, but they were all in Ponyville. She knew she did things besides working, but... mostly it was just taking care of her daughter, cleaning for her daughter, cooking for her daughter, or reading. Yes, reading was something she did for herself. As far as what had been happening... well, she'd heard some vague rumors about another changeling being discovered as friendly, and something else about a new ruler for the changeling kingdom. She wondered if the two were connected. She hadn't really heard from her mother much in the time she'd been gone, after all. Then she came up on her last question to herself. Do you have any friends? Of course I do! She shouted to herself. Why would you even ask yourself something like that? You've got Twilight, and you've got Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Surprise! She nodded as if to reassert that yes, she did have friends. Hey, wait, I know all the elements of Harmony, except... wait, that sixth one, Fluttershy? Why haven't I met her at all? She shook her head. Focus. You have friends. It's just... Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. As objectively great as her life was here in Las Pegasus, she didn't really know anyone. Not on a personal level. All of her friends were in Ponyville. She and Scootaloo had spent two years away from their friends. That's why everything felt so empty. That's why she felt an ache in her chest when she thought about all her friends. She'd never really had friends before those ponies, so she still didn't quite know how friendship in general worked. She missed them. She winced while the pain in her chest increase. She missed them so much. Why did it take her all this time to realize that? Was she that dumb, really? She supposed that wasn't fair to herself though; one doesn't judge a fish by its tree-climbing abilities after all... and for a metaphorical fish, she was climbing trees surprisingly well! She laughed to herself as she thought of what her friends would be saying if they knew what she was thinking right now. Twilight would be trying to take notes on Echo's learning curve. Rarity would be trying to offer to pay for her ride back to Ponyville. Dash would be gagging on the sentimentality of it all, but secretly she'd be touched – Echo could always tell. Pinkie would be busy laughing at the thought of a fish in a tree, and Surprise would probably be in the same boat, each of them egging each other on. Applejack would most likely be busy offering to help carry any heavy furniture and reassuring her that no matter what happened, she always had friends to count on. The thought of her friends had her smiling like a fool, and when she snapped back to reality she felt that pain in her chest again. She missed them so much. Was this how Scootaloo had felt since they'd left? She winced as a twinge of guilt entered her mind. Maybe that trip back to Ponyville is going to be a little more permanent than expected. She quietly sipped her drink and stared out at the bustling city, so full and active, but to her eyes, lifeless. Guess it's time to pack. * * * Morning came faster than Echo had anticipated. She had stayed in her bed until 7:30, when her alarm was supposed to wake her up. It still went off, but she hadn't slept a wink in that entire time. She sighed and silenced it, getting to her hooves to start breakfast for Scootaloo. This morning she was thinking she might go with a miso soup and teriyaki tofu. Perhaps a bit of an unorthodox breakfast, but today was making out to be big. She figured she might as well go all-in. She pulled all the ingredients out of their respective places and set herself to cooking. Sometimes it surprised her how thoroughly she'd changed to suit this pony society, but she also realized at some level that it was, after all, in her nature to adapt and blend in. She began to cut slices of nori for the miso soup as the concoction neared completion. That together with the smell of the teriyaki sauce she'd made was filling the kitchen with a lovely aroma. She smiled when the rice cooker beeped to tell her it was finished. “Scoot-Scootaloo!” she called. “Up and at 'em, kiddo!” There was a gentle thud and a pause. “What smells so good?” “Get down here and see for yourself.” She snickered quietly while setting the placemat. She took a seat on the opposite side of the table from where Scoot would sit, wracking her brain trying to decide how to approach the idea that she felt they should move back home. Would Scootaloo even be okay with that idea? Maybe she'd made friends here after all? Would she be mad with Echo for being indecisive? Her train of thought ground to a halt though as Scoot sat down. There was no more time to think about it, it was do or die. Scootaloo yawned, letting out a little squeak as her mouth gaped. Her mane was a mess, sticking up in all different directions. Even her coat seemed to be messy; that was quite the accomplishment considering how short her coat was, but regardless, Echo's eyes didn't deceive her. “This looks amazing, Mom.” Scoot nodded, still half asleep. She fumbled with the chopsticks for a couple of moments before setting them down and walking back to the kitchen to get a fork and a spoon. “Thanks sweetheart...” Echo sighed. “Scoot, I've been thinking – ” “Dangerous.” “Laugh it up.” She chuckled. “I've been thinking that maybe … now that I've got some income here – ” “Mom, if you want me to go get a job, just say so.” “What? No. I was thinking that it might be a good idea if we –” “Hired a maid? I'd like that. Less work for me to do.” She dipped her spoon into the soup and slurped loudly. “Will you let me finish –” “A sentence? Well, okay. If you insist.” A sly grin crossed the pegasus' face. “Oh, you learned well.” She snickered again. “Seriously though. How would you feel if we moved back to Ponyville?” She decided to just say it rather than risk being interrupted again. Scoot began to sputter and cough as a bit of tofu got stuck in the back of her throat. Echo shot up, eyes wide, and began to pat on her back. “Breathe, it's all right!” Eventually Scootaloo managed to swallow and she whipped around. “Are you serious?!” Echo's ears flattened and she winced. “If you think it's not a good ide– ” “I'll go pack.” She stood and began to walk out. “I've gotta write to the girls!” She sounded giddy. Echo sat in silence for a moment after Scootaloo had left the room, looking at the half-finished breakfast and smiling slightly. That went better than expected.