//------------------------------// // The Talk // Story: A Lot Can Happen in a Year... // by The Lone Doctor //------------------------------// Something felt off. Pinkie Pie was often respected for her sense of knowing what was going to happen. Others, like Twilight, initially met it with skepticism, only for it to die in the ensuing experiments and investigations. But, whether they believed her or not she knew something was off with her little sister. And, as much as it pained her, she had to stand away and give Marble her space. Or that was what Maud said. But it really hurt her. Marble had grown distant over the past week: she barely looked up during meals, and only played with her food. She’d spend most of the day all holed up in her room. Sunset came to visit, but even that didn’t make Marble leave her room. But no matter how much it pained her, she was aware that this was Marble’s Rumspringa; if there are any problems that she wanted help on she’d come around on her own time. Pinkie just hoped it wouldn’t be too late. And so Pinkie internally sighed in relief when Mable came down the stairs, hair ruffled, eyes reddened, and looking worse for wear She had finally come down, and was now sitting nervously in front of Pinkie as she poured in some ingredients. “Hey there, Marble! Do you wanna come around and help me bake? I know you used to love to help mamm out in the kitchen when you were still small.” Marble blushed and, though she looked tired, nodded. And so the room was silent as she and Marble mixed and poured and kneaded and pounded. It continued for nearly half an hour before she heard Marble take a deep breath. “Pinkie?” “Yes, Marble?” Pinkie turned to look at her: she had enough practice baking to be able to take her eyes off the puffy dough. “I-I need help on something…” Marble said to the bowl of dough in front of her. “Do you think you can help me?” Pinkie grinned, “Marble, you know me! I’m the person that wants to make the world smile, of course I can help!” She pinched Marble’s nose, covering it with flour. Marble couldn’t help but giggle, a tiny smile crinkled on her face. “Now, tell Aunt Pinkie what’s going on.” “Wh-What does the Ordnung say about um… t-two girls being together.” “What do ya mean by that?” Marble took her time rolling the dough and smashing the resultant ball. “I-I mean, you know, together together, like how a boy and a girl gets together at bundling?” Pinkie’s hair deflated as she frowned, “I-I’ll have to be honest with you Marble… nothing too good, why?” Pinkie felt a hand touch hers as Marble turned to look at Pinkie. “P-Pinkie?” “Yes, Marble?” Marble looked back at the bowl of unattended dough before she looked back. “U-Um… well… I like someone, and she’s a girl.” Pinkie opened her mouth to say something, “And I know the Ordnung doesn’t allow it, and I know I might lose mamm and dadt over this, and that you might hate me as well, but please, please tell me that you love me, that I can stay, I don’t want to be kicked out.” Marble began to break down into tears as she finished her sentence. Pinkie stopped kneading the dough and quickly hugged Marble, “Oh Marble, come here.” She rubbed her hand up and down Marble’s back, probably staining the shirt with flour, but hey, they were having a sisterly bonding moment here. “I’d never do that, and neither would Maud.” She let go and turned back towards the dough. “I can’t speak for Maud, Marble, but I know that I’m okay with it. Now come on, before the dough rises too much. As the continued to knead, Pinkie gauged Marble’s reaction. She looked relieved, but something told her that wasn’t the least of her worries. But if the hands-off approach worked, she wasn’t going to break it by pushing at this point. And it paid off, for when all was said and done and the pastries were being fried in the pot of lard, Marble took another deep breath. “What do I do from here?” “Have you decided on whether or not you’re going to get baptized?” Marble shook her head. “N-No… I can’t bear to live without my… special someone, but the thought of losing my parents…” “Hey, hey, don’t worry about it.” Pinkie interrupted, hugging her again briefly. “Tell ya what, think about it, think about it real hard and pray if you have to, and keep thinking about it until you’re sure you’ve made your decision and go with what you want the most.” “And if I decide to let father know?’ “Write a letter to him, tell him what you told me about yourself and what you’ve decided.” Marble sniffled, “C-Can’t you tell me anything else?” Pinkie shook her head, “This is your decision, Marble. Maud and I already made ours.” She took Marble’s hand and rubbed it with her thumbs, “Just remember, if you do decide to leave the order, you’ll always have a place here with me and Maud, with hot food and warm bed.” Pinkie sniffed as she felt her senses tingling. “Which reminds me.” She shot over to the pot, took out the pastries, and raced back to Marble, “Would you like a cherry chimichanga, Marble?” Marble nodded, and so after they were cool, picked one up, and took a bite, her eyes widening in amazement as she hummed in delight. Pinkie chuckled, “Glad to see you like it.” Marble nodded. “So, do you feel better now?” She nodded again, “Even if my problems aren’t gone, at least I know what to do now.” She hugged Pinkie again, cherry chimichanga in hand, “Thanks Pinkie.” “My pleasure.”