//------------------------------// // Birthday p3 // Story: It takes a village // by Sarcastic Brony //------------------------------// “I take it everything is in order?” Mayor Mare looks up at Anon as he signs his name. He nods. “The girls were a huge help with moving things. Now all that’s left is to make sure everyone is in place for the party.” Anon pushes the paperwork over to her. “You sure you don’t want to come?” “Sorry, but a sudden influx of paperwork came in last minute.” She gives a gentle smile. “Thank you for looking after my son by the way.” “Don’t mention it. Faith would’ve been devastated if he didn’t show up to the party. Should I bring him home around eight?” “Yes, I should hopefully be done by then.” Mayor Mare sighs as she looks to the stack of paperwork on her desk. “I loathe days like this, but I can’t rightfully leave this work undone. One of these forms very well may be our schools budget or something else of great importance.” “I know what you mean.” Anon rubs the back of his head. “I want nothing more than to spend all my time with Faith, but I also have to think about putting food on the table, as well as her future. It’s tough being a single parent, huh?” “That it is, but it’s always nice to have help here and there.” Mayor Mare adjusts her glasses some before looking up at Anon. “Hurry now. School will be out soon. I’ll see you tonight.” “Alright, take care, Ms. Mare.” Anon walks out of the town hall and finds that Rainbow and AJ are just walking up to the door. He gives them a wave as they approach. “What took you so long?” Rainbow asks. “Paperwork,” He answers. “Let’s start heading over to the school now. Are you two ready?” “Am I ready? I was born ready!” Rainbow flexes her wings some. Anon ignores Rainbow showing off as AJ gives him a nod. Looking the two over, he notices someone is missing. “Where’s Fluttershy?” “Fluttershy asked Rarity how her mane looked and that went about as well as you’d expect. She’ll meet us at the school,” Rainbow answers. “Let’s not stand around talking; it’s almost time.” AJ reminds. “Ok.” Anon shakes some of his nervousness away. “Let’s do this.” The school bell rings as all the fillies and colts burst out into the yard in every which direction. Faith and the Crusader’s walk out side by side. “Finally!” Scootaloo proclaims. “I was dying just watching the time slowly tick by.” “I keep telling you, just pay attention to class and time will feel as if it’s moving faster,” Sweetie Belle states. “As if! If anything it moves slower!” Applebloom rolls her eyes as she looks to Faith. “How was your day?” “I just couldn’t stop thinking about the party.” Faith looks to them with a large smile. “I can’t wait!” Scootaloo pulls Faith over with a wing. “That’s my filly! This party is going to kick rear!” “Hey, isn’t that Anon?” Sweetie Belle asks. “What? Doesn’t he work till late?” Applebloom brushes past and stands beside her friend. The Crusader’s stand there and from afar they can see a tall pillar gliding over to them on two legs, with coordination and grace that still make them wonder how he does it while being as big as he is. Faith, on the other hand, has a smile that keeps getting bigger as her father comes into view. Anon spots the four together and gives them a wave. “Alright, get the Crusader’s,” Anon whispers to AJ under his breath. “Let’s go, Rainbow.” The two break away from Anon just as Faith starts to sprint over to him. The Crusader’s are left to themselves for a moment as they see AJ and Rainbow walking over. “Celestia... Anon is hot,” Scootaloo states. “Do you have to say that stuff out loud?” Sweetie Belle asks while shaking her head. Scootaloo grins. “It’s true. I wouldn’t mind if he wanted to bend me o—” Sweetie Belle shoves her hoof into Scootaloo’s mouth as a massive blush rushes over her face. “H-How uncouth!” Scootaloo moves the hoof away. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it?” She looks over to her other friend who hasn’t turned her gaze away from Anon as he takes his daughter into an embrace. “I know Applebloom has.” “He’s always been a great father, not only to Faith but us too," Applebloom remarks. "Always worrying in a way no pony else did, looking after us when our relatives where busy. Even when he was too tired to do so. Any feelings I have is because I respect him so much.” Scootaloo’s smirk slips. “Geez, I was just trying to mess around.” She rubs the back of her neck “It’s not like I don’t respect him.” “I know, but we have company.” Applebloom waves to her sister. “Hey, Sis. What brings you around?” “You three, follow us. Keep quiet while walking.” Confused, the three follow AJ and Rainbow but cast one last glance at Faith and Anon before continuing. “Really?” Faith asks. “Of course. We got done early today and now you, Fluttershy and I are going to hang out a bit.” “Where’s aunt Fluttershy?” “S-Sorry!” Fluttershy comes running up. “I’m late.” “No problem.” Anon sets Faith down. “Anyway, it’s been a while since I got time off early. What do you want to do right now, Faith?” Faith is so caught up by seeing her father; she forgets that she has a birthday today. All she can think of is what she would want to do right now. “Um, how about walking around the park?” Anon’s heart warms. He’s going to enjoy this day as much as he can. “That sounds great. Don’t you agree, Fluttershy?” She nods. “A lovely idea, Faith.” Faith grabs her father's hand. “Then let’s go!” Part two of the plan complete. While he’s still nervous, he does well covering it up. Just a few hours and then the party will begin.