Today was just not gonna be a good day.
I felt the sunlight on my face as my consciousness slowly started to wake from sleep. I fought the gentle warmth; coaxing me to wake up and start my day on a good day……..at least that is what I want to say. No. The sunlight fucking annoyed me, I’m not fucking done sleeping, go the fuck away. Just…fuck.
I tried to ignore it…I really tried. But apparently my wings twitch when I’m annoyed and they just wouldn’t stop twitching the blankets off of me. Mother fucking…..
UGH!
I tossed the blankets off of me with as much irritation as I could muster.
“Fine! I’ll get up! Damn!”
With one last irritated sigh, I got out of bed and headed to the adjourning bathroom and splashed water on my face, looking at my face in the mirror. I had bags under my eyes and I was giving my reflection daggers.
“How the fuck did you deal with your wings?” I asked the reflection, not really expecting a real answer.
I continued to stare at my reflection, letting my thoughts wander. The walk last night didn’t really help at all in trying to clear my head. I scrunched up my face in a scowl. Nothing I did to calm down was working.
I breathed out, harder than what was probably necessary and I went over what the plan was for today. Take Silent Melody to school, Sweet Feathers informed me yesterday that she was going to be going back to Cloudsdale today and would be back tonight so she’s walking me to Fluttershy’s who will then take me to Zecora who in turn will catch me up on Dream Weaver’s practice.
Nodding my head in approval, I went back into my room to grab a brush to brush out my long hair. I may have to speak a little differently in front of others, but while I’m by myself I will cling to whatever humanity I have left and call it hair Goddess dammit!
Before I could start brushing, I took another look outside and couldn’t help but notice that the sun was a little too high……
Like it’s been up for a while…..
………..
Shit.
I rushed to Silent Melody’s room, apology ready to leave my lips for forgetting to wake him up for school; but when I opened the door, Silent Melody was nowhere to be seen.
Panic gripping my chest as I tripped over my still brand-new legs running to the common area and noticed that Sweet Feathers cleaning up breakfast. When she turned around at my sudden approach, her face went from a content smile to a worried frown.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” she asked as she set down the dirty dishes and trotted over to where I was frozen.
I stuttered out a quick, “Silent….?” Panic still on high alert.
Understanding why I was panicking, her stiffened shoulders relaxed and her smile returned. “He’s at school, hon. I sent him off after breakfast with a bagged lunch.”
“Oh.” I exclaimed simply. Guilt, replacing panic. I knew he was supposed to go to school today and I didn’t prepare for it.
C’mon Ally, you know the routine when it comes to school! I mean….I haven’t done it since I graduated, but still!
“It’s okay Dream. From what I learned from Fluttershy and Silent Melody, it’s not uncommon for you to sleep through the morning. Silent Melody can get himself up and get to school just fine on his own.” She explained as she made her way back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up.
That honestly didn’t sit right with me.
“He walks to school by himself? Is that safe? Didn’t you worry that he’ll be kidnapped or gets hurt?” I asked, truly perplexed.
She seemed to think about my statements before shrugging her shoulders. “That’s normal here. Every pony knows every pony in this town so it wouldn’t be easy for anything to happen to him without somepony seeing. And the schoolhouse is only down the road from the Apple Family Farm.”
I guess that’s true. I felt a little uneasy, but to be honest, while my school wasn’t walking distance, there was a time when I was around his age and I walked around my home town. It was a safe neighborhood and everyone knew my dad and the Mills family. It’s not like that nowadays (at least not where I live). But still…
“I’ll be heading out after I walk you to Fluttershy’s, but I should be back before Silent’s bedtime.” Sweet Feathers chimed in as she finished cleaning the last plate.
“What are you doing today?”
“I’m not doing much. It’s just all this time off, I need to make sure everything is alright at my job.” She explained.
Another wave of guilt washed over her. I guess I wasn’t very good at hiding it as the moment wave hit, Sweet Feathers smile became sad.
“It’s alright Dream. I’ve worked at the factory for years and I have a lot of vacation time stored up. I just need to pop in and make sure that everything is settled so I can focus on helping you get your bearings.”
I nodded in understanding, but I didn’t feel any less guilty. She was wasting her vacation days on me. And I couldn’t even guarantee that Dream Weaver will come back…..if I can go home.
Ugh! Sleep deprived me is not a nice me. Get it together Ally!
I mentally shook my head and moved the conversation forward. “Okay, I’ll just go get ready then.” I finally uttered out, quick to want to get away and re-center myself.
“Take your time Dream. I don’t have to be at the factory for a while now. There’s no rush.” She called behind me. But I didn’t reply. I just wanted to be alone to calm down. I feel like so much has happened all in the span in 20 minutes. I knew not much actually did but it sure damn felt like it. Going to the record player, I played the song that I listen to yesterday and sat on my bed brushing my hair.
I let my mind go blank. Usually that’s a little harder, but with nothing but music filling my head and the steady repetitive motion of the brush has me staring listlessly at the wall as I take the time to center myself.
“-and don’t forget to avoid Poison Joke….and Minataurs….and the timber wolves…..and-“
“It’s okay, Aunt Feathers. I know the safe way to get to Zecora’s. Everything will be fine. I Pinkie promise.” Fluttershy swore, trying to calm down Sweet Feathers as she fretted around me, trying to make sure I knew all the dangers of this so-called Everfree forest. The moment that Fluttershy made her pinky promise, I could see Sweet Feathers visibly relax.
Who the fuck still uses pinkie promises anymore? I couldn’t help but grumble in my head. Of course, I didn’t say it out lout.
I looked at Sweet Feathers and put on the most assured smile I could muster up. “It’s okay, I’ll be fine. Fluttershy has made the trip a few times and I’ve obviously had to have gone through to talk to Zacora. We’ll be fine.”
“Okay…..okay.” Like she was convincing herself of that more than us. With a final goodbye, Sweet Feathers flew off.
Goddess dammit I have GOT to learn how to use these wings. Fluttershy closed the door and turned to me.
“I just need to look through my closet and see if there’s anything I need to ask Zacora to brew for me. Make yourself comfortable.” She offered as she headed into the kitchen.
I gave an absentminded okay as I surveyed her living room. I didn’t really get to look around last time, as I was too busy freaking out about meeting Dream Weavers son, and noticed that there were animals stationed all over her living room; the creatures homes blending in to the design of the house that they look more part of the décor than anything. She couldn’t help but coo at a baby squirrel that was popping out of a makeshift nest hanging on the side of the wall. It just looked so adorable! And the fact that it was animated made them even MORE adorable.
I slowly approached the tiny squirrel, careful not to spook it. I haven’t been here long, but it looks like the animals here are
just a bit tamer than the wild animals in my world. I was taking full fucking advantage!
When I was standing in front of the nest, I put my hoof open at the entrance and waited, not wanting to overstep and hopefully show the baby squirrel I was friendly.
The little guy sniffed my hoof for a few seconds before attentively stepping onto my hoof, giving me a small smile.
It took everything in my power as a human being not to bounce on my hooves and squeal. I have a baby squirrel on my hoof! I’m holding a baby squirrel!
When I brought the hoof close to my face to get a better look at him, he nuzzled my muzzle.
I’m dead.
I have died.
My obituary will say: Dream Weaver, aka Ally Mills has died of cuteness overload.
Not a bad way to die.
I was so absorbed in the cuteness that I didn’t notice the flash of white light, followed by a voice.
“So the tea topic for today is outfits. Yes, I know I don’t normally suit up but, Celestia told me I had to look my absolute best for the King and Queen of Saddle Arabia but I can’t decide to look outrageous or chaotic.”
I slowly turned around and froze on the spot, looking at the most weirdest creature I have ever seen in my life.
There standing in Fluttershy’s living room like it owned the place was a creature unlike anything she’s ever seen. His head was horse-like kinda….? Shaped a little different than any other pony she’s met. He had a deer antler on the right, a blue goat horn on the left, one long fang, different-sized pupils, a goat beard, and white bushy eyebrows. He had the right arm of a lion, the left claw of an eagle, the right leg of a lizard, and the left leg of a goat. In addition, he has a bat's right wing, a Pegasus' left wing, a pony’s mane, and a dragon-like snake's tail with a white tail tuft. His entire body structure to look like that of a snake.
The baby squirrel had long gone back to its nest, but I just kept standing there; not knowing what to do.
The creature seemed to finally notice my presence and turned to look at me.
“Ah, Dream Weaver. I wasn’t expecting you today. Be honest, I was thinking about wearing these black pants,” with a snap of his claw, a black dress pants with colorful zig zags going up and down appeared on his body, “but do you think they make my tail look big?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow as he waited for me to answer.
I held it in as long as I could. I’m actually quite proud of myself, but I couldn’t help but let out a low, “What the fuck….?”
The creatures eyes widened at the remark, “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh Discord, I’ve forgotten all about our tea date. I’m so sorry.” Fluttershy apologizes as she walked back into her living room, pen and pencil held in her wing. “I’ve had so much on my mind that I completely forgot.”
Discord narrows his eyes at me for a moment before switching to Fluttershy, a pout on his lip.
“Oh not to worry, my dear. I know you don’t take our teas lightly. But that’s alright, my schedule is full anyway.” He snapped his tail and summoned a huge day planner with a bunch of paper sticking out of it. “Let’s see, I just need to arrange here, and here, and OH I already did that! If I put this here and that here and throw this away…..”
As he was talking into the planner, he ended up growing an extra pair of hands to jot down, pull and replace notes as paper after paper kept flying off. At one point I swear I saw Fluttershy’s rabbit get tossed out of the planner right onto his bed; the poor bunny struggling to stop the his dizzy spell.
“And if I do that then AH-HA!” he finished as he held open the day planner, and on the day labelled for today in red ink read ‘Fluttershy time!’ before he smacked it closed into nonexistence.
“I guess I’ll have to stay and help you out. Now what are you and your little cousin up today?”
“Oh, well, me and Dream Weaver were planning on going to Zecora’s. I need to restock and Dream needs to discuss her store.” Fluttershy calmly explained, not noticing me freaking out over all the antics this creature just pulled.
I tried to relax as best as I could. As far as everyone’s reaction to him, it looks like this wasn’t anything new or was dangerous…..I hope.
“Wonderful! We can go together. I have a bone to pick with those cockatrees for having the audacity to attempt to turn me into stone. I’ve already had my fill with stone, and as much as it did wonders for my skin, it’s an ordeal I will not repeat.” His whole body gave an overexaggerated shudder with the thought. “Ugh, just thinking about it gives me the case of the willies.” With that statement he pulls a colorful caterpillar like creature from him back and tosses it out the window. “I despise those things. Fluttershy my dear, I absolutely LOVE that new tea recipe you introduced me to last tea time. How ‘bout you make a brew for everyone then we’ll go?” He suggested.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful.” She turned to me. “Would it be okay if we had tea first? I’m sure it will relax us before we head on over.”
I hesitated for a moment, still a little weirded out by this….Discord person. But it looked like Dream Weaver knew him so I suppose it’s alright. “Of course! That sounds wonderful.”
“Oh good. You just make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right out with the tea.” And with that, she turned around and headed back in the kitchen.
The moment she was out of sight, I was suddenly being lifted off of the ground. My hooves immediately started to shake and my wings were flapping on their own in panic. The next thing I knew I was staring right into Discords mismatched, very angry glare.
“Who are you and what have you done with Dream Weaver?” he demanded.
Fuck.
Today was not going to be a good day.