//------------------------------// // Chapter 33 // Story: Princess Twilight Sparkle's School for Fantastic Foals: Winter Break // by kudzuhaiku //------------------------------// A tall night blue stallion filled the doorway, flanked by two mares, one smaller, one taller, and the trio were still bundled up. It took Sumac a few seconds to realise who these ponies were, and he was shocked to see Dandelia’s towering form squeezed into the kitchen doorway with Night Light and Twilight Velvet. Hearing a gasp, he guessed that it came from Trixie and the colt wondered if trouble was about to start. “Beatrix… you look well.” “Step away from my father, so he won’t get covered with your ashes,” Trixie replied in a gritty deadpan and Sumac could hear an ominous stereo crackle coming from behind him. “Trixie…”—Dandelia’s voice was pleading, but also haughty—“holiday cease-fire. A truce, if you please. I didn’t come to cause trouble and I pledge to be on my best behaviour. I didn’t want to actually come, but my therapist said I should make the attempt. Night Light and Twilight Velvet brought me here, rather against my will. I tried to tell them that you would not be happy to see me.” Tarnish, fearless, stepped in front of Dandelia, unconcerned by the potential of violence that seemed as though it was about to happen. “Okay, everypony out of the kitchen. Let’s give them a little together time. Come on, all of you. Pebble, you too.” “But Sumac needs—” “No buts.” With one raised hoof, Tarnish cut his daughter off. “Everypony out.” Turning about, Tarnish drew himself up to his full height, and he towered over Dandelia. Looking down at her, his ears pricked upwards and his neck muscles tensed. “You… you’re a guest in my home. Trixie and her household are my guests, under my protection. If you do anything to hurt them… if you do anything to anger me, I will make every single plant in the world hate your guts… and that’s bad news for a herbivore, lemme tell you.” Sumac saw Dandelia’s ears droop, and suddenly she didn’t seem quite so haughty. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Tarnish now sounded cheerful and he relaxed his rigid posture a bit. “There’s hot cocoa, tea, and coffee. Feel free to help yourself. Make yourselves at home.” With that, Tarnish strode away and Pebble followed, hot on his heels. The long, rectangular package wrapped in colourful holiday paper served as a terrible distraction for Sumac and he kept making sidelong glances in its direction. There had been hugs, and hellos, an apology or two, and now, Lemon Hearts was stroking Trixie, no doubt with the hopes of calming the frustrated mare down. “Sumac, how have you been? How are you feeling?” Twilight Velvet reached out with her magic and Sumac found himself pulled closer by a gentle, irresistible force. “I’ve been so worried about you, and I’ve wanted to come and see you, but things have been so busy. I’m so sorry that I’ve been neglectful.” “Sorry?” Sumac allowed himself to be hugged and truth be told, he didn’t mind. At the moment, he was still a bit shook up from the shock of seeing Dandelia, and it was nice to be in Twilight Velvet’s comforting embrace. “We’re family, you and I, of a sort. Night Light could be considered your grandfather, you know. I know that he would like to be, because he’s talked about it.” When Sumac glanced over in the package’s direction, he saw that Night Light had embraced Trixie, and she was trembling while she clung to his neck. He worried for a moment and wanted to rush to his mother’s side, but then he reached the conclusion that she probably needed this to happen. When he looked in Dandelia’s direction, he saw that she stood alone with a sad expression upon her face. Pity overcame his resentment, and Sumac squirmed, not knowing what to feel or what to do. The package didn’t seem quite so important. Lowering her head down, Twilight Velvet placed her muzzle near to Sumac’s ear and began to whisper, “Dandelia has been getting therapy. It is part of why I stay so busy. She’s actually been sticking to it. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if she would. I am proud of her, Sumac, because she is making a sincere, earnest effort to change. Mister Teapot is a helpful pony… he’s given her something to talk about during her next few visits, methinks.” “Tarnish is the reason why I don’t wanna grow up and be a pirate.” “Oh…” Twilight Velvet gasped the word and while blinking, she nodded a few times. “That would be wise, Sumac. How do you like staying with Mister Teapot? How are you holding up? Is this overwhelming for you?” “A little,” Sumac responded, and his ear twitched from the constant tickle of Twilight Velvet’s breathing. “I like having a big family around, but it does get to be a bit much. Sometimes I need quiet time, or time to myself. When there are too many ponies in one room, all my senses just get overloaded.” “That happens, Sumac.” Twilight Velvet cleared her throat, gave Sumac a squeeze, and then asked, “Sumac, can you tell me about your special magic sense? I know it was bothering you a whole lot just before you were foalnapped. How is it now? Does it give you much trouble?” “Do I think that changelings are hiding in every shadow and are waiting to foalnap me again?” Sumac shook his head and something in his neck popped, causing him to wince. His vision blurred for a moment, the tears came fast, but he held them in, defiant of the sudden pain. “I sense things sometimes, and yes, sometimes I get overwhelmed by my magic sense. I don’t know what is going on around me, everything is confusing sometimes, but I am aware that I am being watched.” “Sumac, there are Wardens in Ponyville… a small number. They are watching over you, but not to worry, they will keep their distance, remain utterly unseen, and you will have your privacy, as much as we can give you. I put my hoof down and insisted that you be told.” “Thank you.” Sumac drew in a deep breath, and then said again, “Thank you.” “You’re a big colt, Sumac, and mature for your age. I think being honest, open, and upfront with you is the best policy. You’re no little scaredy-colt, no, you’re big, and strong, and brave. You’ve walked the length and breadth of Equestria with Trixie and you’re a canny colt for your age.” Flattered, Sumac blushed and then found himself looking over in Dandelia’s direction once more. She looked sad, Dandelia, and Sumac felt sad looking at her. He thought about forgiveness, and the brief conversation that took place earlier… of which no conclusion had been reached. Now, those few words spoken seemed far more important and Sumac wished that he knew what to do. “You know, Sumac Apple… there are monsters. Hidden ones. Dreadful ones.” “Yeah?” Sumac knew this, but he wondered what Twilight Velvet was getting at. “Monsters like tribalism, prejudice, and abuse. These are the hardest monsters to fight. Monsters like these kept poor Trixie on the road and haunted her every step. Right now, they are ripping poor Dandelia apart. Only the bravest ponies try to face these monsters.” Sumac’s tongue darted out for a moment, circling over his lips, and all of muscles that moved his ears tightened into a far-too-tight state. He gave thought to the words of Twilight Velvet while staring at Dandelia, and knew this was heading towards some conclusion, perhaps some lesson, but he wasn’t sure what. The tension of the moment caused his belly muscles to clench tight and he wondered what might be expected of him. “Your friendship and love of Trixie gave her the courage she needed to face the monsters of her past. Now look at her, Sumac. She is in love, and she is loved. Trixie is settling down, putting down roots… she has responsibilities. Now she even has the courage to make friends with those she once wronged, and it is all because she learned friendship from you.” “Oh.” Sumac’s ears splayed out sideways. “You were little, helpless, and cute. Being so small and helpless, you depended upon her for everything. You didn’t judge her, or bring up her past, and because of this, she was able to open up her heart to you. You were safe, Sumac. Non-threatening.” Sumac knew that nothing about him was remotely threatening, and it was Discord that had said why. He was bland—beige—and there was nothing at all exciting about Sumac. As far as ponies went, Sumac was yawn-inducing. He tore his eyes away from Dandelia—a feat that took all of his willpower—and when he looked over at his mother, he saw that she was crying, but also smiling. Was she happy? Lemon Hearts was rubbing her back and Trixie was clinging to Night Light’s neck, sitting on the same cushion as he was. It was a tender moment that made Sumac feel awkward to witness. Trixie was happy, he decided, and with a turn of his head, he studied his estranged grandmother, Dandelia. She was not happy. “Help me up,” he murmured to Twilight Velvet. The wise, middle-aged mare said nothing while she assisted Sumac, setting him on his hooves. A quick deep breath was in order, along with screwing his courage to the sticking place, and Sumac set off to do the work required of good ponies everywhere. Reaching out with his mind, he willed a cushion to come to him, a large one, and he began his slow, solemn march to where Dandelia was standing. Her expression was unreadable, unfathomable to Sumac, some unknown mess of emotions. “Sit with me.” This was not a question and Sumac tossed the cushion down at Dandelia’s front hooves. Behind him, there were a few gasps, sharp intakes of breath, but he ignored them. He had trouble looking up, Dandelia was far too tall and his neck didn’t want to bend that way, not without the pressure becoming uncomfortable and his knees knocking. Dandelia was, for all intents and purposes, a stranger, and Sumac found this nerve-wracking. He waited as she stood there, and for a time, Sumac was certain that she might say something about soiling herself with a commoner’s cushion. Not a word was said though, much to his relief, and she sat down on the cushion. Before he could try to clamber up with her, he found himself lifted, surrounded by magic of immense, terrifying power. The back of Sumac’s mind reflected upon the fact that so much trust had to be given to unicorns with terrific magical abilities. He was unceremoniously plopped down between Dandelia’s forelegs and he tumbled against her. She caught him, cradling his neck with her elbow, and Sumac steeled his nerves to deal with this arduous mental task. Sumac made the dreadful mistake of looking at his mother and her terrified face unnerved him. Trixie had redoubled her grip on Night Light and maddened fear made her eyes glimmer in some manic, dangerous way. Sumac knew that at this moment, he was a shield for Dandelia and he remembered all too well the time that Trixie had opened fire upon her mother. Twilight had prevented it, she had blocked the shot, but Twilight was not here now. Now began the impossible task of making meaningful conversation with a stranger, or, small talk, at least. Sumac had no idea what to say, and watching his mother as she freaked out wasn’t helping, so he closed his eyes to shut out the distracting sight. He also had to be careful about what he said, because the wrong words might compel Dandelia into doing something she otherwise wouldn’t. Then again… would it really be so bad—so wrong—to inspire Dandelia to do well in therapy? This was a moral conundrum, but Sumac wasn’t sure what a conun was, or how one beat a drum with it. Sumac settled on a more neutral course of action and wondered how his own words might affect him. “You know,” he began, his voice a low whisper, “I think I might need therapy.” Dandelia was in no way patronising when she replied, “Do you really think so?” “I was foalnapped by bugs. When I was in a centaur vault, I did something dumb, but I don’t think I can talk about what I did. At night, when I sleep, I have scary dreams about falling and being spanked. I worry constantly about being a sissy and there is a lot of pressure on me for me to do good, to do right. I suppose a lot of foals have pressure to do good, but my dad was a bad pony, and so was my mom, so there is extra pressure on me to do good because they went bad.” Too late, Sumac realised how this might sound to Dandelia and he had himself a mighty cringe. “There’s a lot of pressure on me too,” Dandelia responded, her voice no more than low, breathy whisper. “I’m pretty sure that Beatrix went bad because of what I did… because I was a spineless wretch that wouldn’t stand up to her own father. And now, she suffers doubly because I’m seen as a bad pony, as well as the fact that she has a sordid past, and it is only now that I am starting to understand how much pressure that puts on her. I have a harder time understanding her now than I have ever had in the past. Lately, I’ve been very depressed because I don’t see how she manages to thrive the way she does under all of this pressure… which is something I can’t seem to do. I keep falling back into old habits.” “It takes three of us to keep her sorted out.” As Sumac spoke these words, Twinkleshine snorted, Lemon Hearts rolled her eyes, and somehow, Trixie managed to make a quivery-lipped watery-eyed smile. “She falls back into old habits too. When the pressure is on and she’s emotional, she becomes the Great and Powerful Trixie again and she talks funny. We don’t tease her too much during these times though, and I think it is well understood between myself, Lemon, and Twinkle that Trixie needs a little extra attention during these times.” “Oh.” Dandelia sighed out her monosyllabic utterance, nodded, and gave Sumac a squeeze. “I see.” “Sometimes, I’m a real snot, and I throw tantrums. Can you believe that?” “No, not really.” “Well, it’s true.” Sumac felt his cheeks grow warm and his ears were far too hot. He was unable to tell if Dandelia was being silly or serious, so he continued, uncertain of where he was going with the jumbled thoughts in his head. “My worst tantrums come when I need to blow off steam. Most of the time, I hold it all in until just the right moment when I am alone with the ponies that I trust the most, and then it all comes boiling out. They sort me out and my tantrum runs its course and then everything is okay again. See, the thing is, I have to trust them to keep loving me even though I’m a total snot… and sometimes I say things.” Ears sagging, Sumac thought of some of the things he had said to Dandelia in the past and felt ashamed. “That’s the problem, Sumac… I had a tantrum and I said things to Trixie.” “Yeah, and when you tried to say you’re sorry, you sounded like a haughty assho—” “Sumac!” Lemon Hearts’ sharp interjection caused the colt’s ears to pin back in submission. “When you say you’re sorry, you can’t hold yourself above somepony,” Sumac said, ignoring Lemon’s angry outburst. “Like when Trixie says she’s sorry to me, she doesn’t act like she’s my mom or anything like that. She’s not in charge, because she’s screwed up. She can’t be bossy or demanding, she has to come to me and say she’s sorry, pony to pony. If you talk down to the pony you’re saying sorry to, it will just make everything even more horrible and awful, because nothing is worse than saying you’re sorry and not meaning it.” “Sounds like you have experience,” Dandelia whispered into Sumac’s ear. “I’ve thrown a lot of tantrums.” “Does it ever feel like nopony could ever possibly love you after you’ve thrown a tantrum?” Dandelia’s words struck home for Sumac, and he couldn’t answer right away. First, he had to swallow the ginormous lump in his throat and then blink away the sting of tears. “All the time. It’s the worst feeling in the world and I sulk because fixing everything feels impossible. But when I finally swallow my pride and make things right, it’s such a relief.” “I think I know what to give Beatrix for Hearth’s Warming.” Intrigued, Sumac asked, “What?” “A heartfelt apology. Thank you, Sumac. I mean that with all my heart.”