//------------------------------// // Getting Closer. // Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. // by Symphonicdysonince //------------------------------// I sat between Rainbow's legs, pushing a berry around in its bowl. It was several hours after Peewee had left with his birth family, and only one since I decided to try to eat something. I generally ignored the conversations around me. I barely even reacted when they had carried me into Fluttershy's cottage. A hoof gave me a light shove. "You gonna be okay?" Rainbow asked. <> I sighed. <> Rainbow tilted my head so that she could look me in the eyes. "What's wrong, Leo?" I paused, trying to put my thoughts into some semblance of order. Eventually, I dropped my head back to stare at the berry in the bowl. <> I murmured into the now quiet room. <> I gave the berry another poke. <> "I don't know what to tell you, Leo." Rainbow rubbed a hoof behind my ears. "Yes, you raised him. Yes, he's your son. But he's just as much their son as he is yours. They love him just as much as you do. He'll be fine." <> I reached a paw out as if it could grab the words I needed from the air. <<... I just need some time.>> I sighed as my paw flopped to the floor. We stayed like that for another hour or so before Rainbow took me home. The night passed by as they all did these days, but I did awaken at least somewhat refreshed. As Rainbow rushed through her morning routine, I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. Eventually, I found a smile that didn't look forced. I hopped down onto the floor to catch up with my mare. Maybe, if I put on a happy face, I'll at least feel better... As we flew through town to Rainbow's office, she glanced up at me. "You doing okay?" <> I didn't bother trying to hide my feelings from her. <> She nodded, slowing her approach to the weather office. "Take a few days off. We'll be fine for a while." <> "Mhmm." <<... Kay.>> I murmured as I rolled off her back. <> I finished in a murmur as Rainbow blitzed into the office. I sighed, mustered my willpower, and plastered a smile onto my face. I whipped around to face into the town proper and began to meander my way through it. With no real destination in mind, I drifted through town. I accepted any ear scritches offered, and played with any pony willing to throw a stick. My meandering was interrupted when Bon Bon picked me up and sat me beside her on a bench. "Right," She sighed, "sorry for bothering you, but Lyra wants me to try this while she's in Cantorlot. You're also the first one I found alone." She slid a piece of paper out from her saddlebag. <> I sighed. "Ahem." She began saying variants of 'Eevee' as she traced a hoof across each line as she read. <> She looked up at me to gauge my reaction. I just continued to look bored. <> Another gauging look, another continuing boredom. <> Another look, I just yawned. "Alright, last one." Bon Bon muttered. <> My ears perked up at that. I turned my head to look at her. Lemme try something... I sat up and turned to face her properly. <> Bon Bon pulled a charcoal stick out and copied the pattern I had just spoke. "Right. Now we just have to figure out what this means, then maybe we could have a start to a conversation. Thanks." She packed up and walked off to do whatever it was that she needed to do. I stayed for a little bit trying on what to do next. Don't really feel like training, and it's still too early to justify a nap. Maybe if I go to... My thoughts were cut off by my stomach growling at me. ... Get something to eat, I'll have figured things out by the time I'm done. I hopped down and made my way over to Sugarcube Corner. I pushed my way through the doggy door they had installed for Zann and, after stepping off to the side, surveyed the room. The cakes were behind the counter, and the Minikery seemed to be closed for the day. I looked around, noting that Zann wasn't out in the lobby, and sauntered my way behind the counter. "Ah-ah, no." Miss Cake called out before I could step into the kitchen. "If you're looking for Zann, he's upstairs looking after the twins." I waved my tail at her and moved towards the stairs. I bounded up them three at a time, and quickly located the right room. Noting that the door was cracked open, I slipped in. Spotting Zann over by the twin's playpen, I quickly made my way over. I could see the twins sleeping through the playpen's mesh, so I made sure to whisper. "Watch'ya doin' up here? Shouldn't you be working?" The fire type snorted. "That's rich coming from you." He gave me a light poke. "What'd you do to get the day off?" I shrugged. "Rainbow just gave me it off." He gave me a searching look. I gave him my best winning smile, but that only made him raise an eyebrow. The silence quickly grew uncomfortable. Thankfully, Zann decided to talk. "Ya know, it's a good thing that you don't hang out with Applejack." "What do ya mean by that?" I weakly chuckled. "Well, she might have an issue with you lying all the time." He shoved his new prosthetic into my muzzle. "I may not be a living lie detector, but I can tell when a smile is forced. And yours is very much forced." "Fine." I dropped all pretenses. "I'm depressed. Very much so. Peewee's gone, left to live with his real family. Our eggs still haven't hatched, winter's just around the corner, and I've still not found the time to try and evolve into a flying type. Happy now?" "Nope." Zann sighed. "Look, I can't help you with the eggs or winter, and I'm not chucking you off the top of the Cantorhorn. But your depression, I can. First off, you knew Peewee might leave someday, so suck it up. But depression in general..." He stared at the twins for a bit, lost in thought. "So... Pinkie and the Cakes have been experimenting with their MMM to enter it into the competition. It's in three days. Why don't you come with us, just you and me?" "The others will be coming along, too." I reminded him. "Nope." He chirped. "I've already talked with Yomega, and he said that everyone will have reasons to stay behind." I tilted my head. "I guess he's been working on his Future Sight, then?" "I dunno." Zann shrugged. "So it's just gonna be you and me." He turned back to me. "And, honestly Leo? When was the last time we did anything, just you and me?" I looked away. "... I'll think about it." I turned back to him. "What're you doing up here, besides babysitting? You're usually down in the kitchen or in the Minikery." "Health inspector's here." "Ah."