//------------------------------// // A Promise Kept // Story: Old Fashioned Love // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// Windy Whistles Wife and Mother You claimed your wings too early. I looked at the weathered headstone as the two rainbow-hued heads were bowed over the grassy plot, hat held in my hands. Dash didn’t know I had forfeited my spot in the competition when Fluttershy had called me. I had been angry up until I saw her hanging in the air, head thrown back as the rain pelted down. Her posture wasn’t as proud as it usually was when she indulged in behavior she enjoyed. She was hunched slightly, probably didn’t even realize it herself. She was at odds with herself over something, and I saw her shudder with what had to be a sob. And now we were in Cloudsdale, visiting her ma on her birthday. I looked at the dates, doing some quick math in my head. Dash must have been just shy of three when she passed. She had said the other day she didn’t really have any memories of her mom. Backing away a step, I shot off a quick text message. There was something I might need some advice on. “So, what’s on your mind, AJ?” Sunset said as she slipped into the booth of the diner. Dash and her dad, Bow Hot Hoof, were off hobnobbing with relatives at a local bar and grill. “I’m a little curious myself,” Twilight said. “I had a booksortation planned for today, but if it’s for a friend, I’m there!” I smiled. The Princess Twilight had an excitement for helping that would almost be called zealous. “Ah wanna do somethin’ for Dash,” I started. “Today’s her mom’s birthday. She’da been forty today.” “Wait,” Twilight said. “Don’t you mean she is forty today?” I shook my head, Sunset sighing as she realized. “Dash’s mom passed when we would have been foals. It’s probably why she and her dad moved to Canterlot.” I nodded. “Too many memories,” I said, looking the shocked royal in the eyes. “But, I’ve met Windy Whistles,” she said. “I know she’s a very much alive, if overenthusiastic.” “That’s why Ah had Sunset fetch ya here,” I said. “I want yer help in this.” And over a cup of coffee, I laid out my plan to them. “So what’s this thing we gotta do?” Dash asked as we walked to the mirror the next day, the sun slowly streaking the sky orange and violet. “Twilight didn’t say,” I hedged. I knew I couldn’t lie for my life, but I could stretch a truth. Twilight hadn’t said anything about this trip. It had all been me. The portal was strange to describe, the twisting and cold feeling of the void contrasted with the warmth of magic. I tumbled out on the other side, feeling the strange sensation of my hat rubbing against my ears and the sudden feel of fur all over. Looking down to see green instead of my usual skin tone still took a bit even after spending days in the form not too long ago. Dash popped through and was almost immediately airborne, her wings holding her aloft as she scanned the room, finding it empty. “What gives?” she muttered. Twilight poked her head into the room. “You’re early,” she said, glancing at the skylight to show the moon slowly rising. “If you’ll come with me?” We followed Twilight to a small sitting room, where a Pegasus with a short cut mane and tail sat, worrying the cuff of her sweater slightly. She turned when she noticed us. “Princess,” she said, bowing slightly. “Thank you for the invite to tea, but I’m…” she fell silent as she gazed on Dash. Dash also stared forward for a second. “Mom?” she whispered, almost not believing it. I was surprised she could make the connection, seeing as how I could barely recognize Granny Smith of this side. “Rainbow?” Windy Whistles whispered. “Is that you?” You look so different. And what happened to your mane?” “I can explain everything,” Twilight said as she levitated over a tea service and started setting out saucers. “But it might take a bit of suspension of disbelief.” “Are you sure ya have to blank her memory?” I asked as Dash talked to her mother. “Seems a mite cruel.” “If word got out to the common pony that there was a magic gateway leading to another world there’d be mass panic and urging of either destroying it or doing what we must in the name of defending Equestria,” she said. “Besides, the spell doesn’t completely erase memories. They’re tied too closely to emotions to be completely dissipated. She’ll likely assume it was a pleasant dream.” She looked at me. "Besides, our Dash already agreed to play along if need be." “Ah know,” I grumbled, shifting on my hooves. Why did I feel so much stronger right now? “Besides, your Dash will remember this for a long time, Jackie,” Twilight said with a smile. My Dash. My Dash. Something about that phrase made me feel giddy. Fluttershy came in and nuzzled against Twilight, wings going out to cover each other. It was a pleasant sight to see. I knew how comforting the feel of those feathers could be. Twilight disengaged herself from her marefriend’s embrace and walked forward slowly. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but it’s rather late.” Dash looked at her, but it was Windy that spoke up. “So late already?” she exclaimed as she climbed to her hooves. “I must get going. Thank you so much for the tea, Princess.” As she gave Twilight a hug, the Alicorn’s horn lit for a few brief moments, the same color of her magic surrounding Windy’s eyes. When they separated, she seemed unaware of the spell that had been cast on her. She turned to my Dash and pulled her into a firm hug. “Always remember,” she said, loud enough for all to hear. “I’m always proud of you. Just be happy, little one.” And she turned and left, escorted out by Starlight. “So,” Dash said, looking at her hooves. “She’s not going to remember me?” Twilight shook her head. “Not entirely,” she said softly. “She’ll likely pass it off as a conversation with her Dash or a dream.” Dash seemed satisfied with the answer. “At least I got to hear Mom’s voice and talk with her for a bit, even if it wasn’t exactly my mom.” She looked at us, her eyes misting. “Thanks,” she said, words failing beyond that simple phrase. "No need," I said, looking her in the eye. She never needed to say it.