//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Dark Petals // by Marie Rivers //------------------------------// Petals sleepily opened her eyes and looked at the clock immediately flying into the air and cried “Night why didn’t you...” Petals stopped mid sentence and then landed on the ground when she remember that her wife was gone. Petals sighed and stretched her wings before trotting to Star’s room. She stood in the doorway silently watching her daughter sleep. She sighed softly before trotting over and gently nudged Star saying soothingly “Star, baby girl, wake up.” Star grumbled and rolled over. She tried to push her mom away and grumbled “Nooo i want more sleep mama.” Petals sighed and then kissed her cheek whispering “If you get up i will make you pancakes.” Within seconds Star was up and running into the kitchen. Petals chuckled and then trotted after her and said “Calm down Star i will take care of it.” Star looked up at Petals confused “Mommy? How are you gonna cook without a horn?” Star got in a chair and watched confused. Her mamma had always cooked using a horn how was her Mommy supposed to cook? Petals chuckled and shook her head at the foal “My mommy taught me how to cook. She was a Pegasus pony just like me. She didn’t have a horn and she always made meals for us.” Petals smiled and went to work getting the pancakes ready. She paused when she got the chipped mixing bowl. ”Flutter! Be careful you are gonna break the bowl!” A young Black Night yelled at her marefriend. A young Petals just laughed before her wing cramped causing her to tumble and drop the mixing bowl. As it fell it ended up getting chipped around the top but it didn’t break because Night grabbed it with her magic before it could. She then rushed over to Petals and fretted over her. “Oh Celestia! Are you ok Flutter?” Night started to examine her for injuries. Petals started laughing and wrapped her forelegs around Night and buried her snout in her neck placing light sweet kisses. “I am ok Night honest. I have taken worse falls then that as a filly. I will be ok. Come on lets get back to making breakfast after we clean up our mess.” Petals pulled away from her marefirend with a smile. Night huffed and grumbled “It was your mess! I was cooking until you startled me!” That started a whole new chase around the house. Petals was near tears at remembering how happy they were but shook her head and started cooking. She stopped and turned when she heard sniffling behind her. Star had started to cry and was trying to stay quiet. Petals stopped what she was doing and went over putting her forelegs and wrings around her daughter and said soothingly “I got you my little Star.” Petals nuzzled her young daughter with a soft sigh. Star looked up at her and whimpered “Are you sure mamma is never coming back? I mean is there even a small chance she will be back?” Star was still crying staining her dark coat. Petals let out a long sigh and said softly “She is not coming back Star. She loves you so much and I know she would be here if she could. You remember how much pain she was in? How we would have to go to the hospital to see her? She is in a better place now. She is no longer hurting and she is happy again.” Petals nuzzled her and wiping away her tears. Star whimpered and looked up at her "Mommy can we join her? I really miss her." Star used her magic to grab a tissue to wipe away her tears. When Petals saw her using her magic she freaked out slightly "Star! Be careful don't use your magic!" Petals looked frantic as she tried to calm down and got up bringing the tissue box closer. She set it down and pulled Star into a tight embrace and nuzzled her. Star looked confused and whimpered "Mommy why can't I use my magic? Mamma always said the only way to get better at using magic is to practice. Mommy it is a simple little spell i use every day why can't I do it anymore?" Star looked confused. Petals just hugged her tighter and nuzzled her saying "I will explain when you are older. Just please do this for me?" Petals looked worried and concerned. Star nodded confused "Ok Mommy." She nuzzled her then said "Pancakes and apple juice?" Petals chuckled and got up going to finish the pancakes. She smiled and said "Star wanna sing for me?" She smiled as she heard Star start to sing in her soft almost shy voice. Petals couldn't be prouder of her daughter. She finished the pancakes and put a plate of them in front of Star before getting some apple juice. Star grinned and then started to eat trying not to use her magic so her mommy didn't freak out like before. She paused to take a drink before eating again. She then looked up at Petals grinning "Thank you mommy! Can i go play with Auntie Sugar?" Petals chuckled and nodded "As long as you don't bother her or eat too much of her candy." Petals laughed as Star ran out of the house at top speed towards the candy shop. She shook her head thinking of her wife's younger sister. She honestly thought that Sugar could beat Pinkie Pie for a hyper active contest. She then sat down for a quiet almost lonely meal. She sighed as she finished then got up and quickly cleaned up the table and everything else after she had put everything away she thought about going to work but instead she made her way up to her room and crawled back into bed burying her muzzle in Night's old pillow and cried. She cried for a long time and then cried dry tears until she fell asleep out of pure exhaustion, mentally, physicall y, and emotionally.