//------------------------------// // Setting Limits // Story: Fly Like You // by Jinzou //------------------------------// Ugh. My head feels like Tirek used it as a punching bag. Twilight groaned and opened one eye, instantly shutting it as an extremely bright light assaulted her eyesight. She groaned again and rolled onto her stomach, feeling around for Rainbow Dash as she tried to ignore the feeling of wanting to throw up. To her surprise she found something other than Rainbow. Somebody had left a glass in front of her. Picking it up, she felt some kind of iced liquid through the glass. Staring hard at the ground, she slowly opened one eye. What she was holding turned out to be a glass full of iced water. Peering around she noticed one next to Rainbow Dash too, who was still asleep behind her. Twilight heard the sound of hoofsteps softly padding into the library. It turned out to be Scootaloo, and she was carrying a plate full of freshly cooked hash browns. “Good morning Twilight.” Scootaloo chirped, setting the plate down between Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “I made some hash browns to help with the hangover. Greasy foods always help.” Twilight smiled and sat up. “That’s really sweet of you, Scootaloo.” she picked one up and started chewing on it. “I didn’t think Spike knew how to make hash browns though. He’s never made any before.” Scootaloo was quiet for a moment. “He doesn’t. I asked Rarity to teach me years ago because there was always less of a chance of dad hitting me if I helped him with his hangovers.” “O-oh.” Was all Twilight could reply. Scootaloo walked over to Twilight’s side, and after a moment of hesitation, started leaning against her. “I’m sorry Twilight.” She stated. Twilight drained her glass of water and peered down at the filly. “Sorry for what?” “I… Well… to be honest ever since I was told what you did at the farm, I’ve been kind of… numb to the whole thing. But I know that it has to have been hurting you, and you’re hiding it. And I mean… the only reason we were in that situation was because of me.” Twilight opened her mouth to argue but Scootaloo cut her off. “Yes, I know I shouldn’t blame myself, and that it’s not actually my fault my dad is… was… the way he was, but… emotions are dumb, y’know?” Twilight stuck a wing around Scootaloo and pulled her in, giving her a small smile. "I'm sorry you got dragged into the situation too. But I'm an adult. I can handle these things. And you and Spike and Rainbow Dash just being here for me is an enormous help. I'm just sorry I did what I did. I know you were hoping we could change him." Scootaloo started at the floor and weakly poked at it with a hoof. She was silent for a few moments. “Why couldn’t we? You made Starlight change, why not him?” Twilight frowned. “Starlight’s entire psychological breakdown was catalyzed by a traumatic experience as a filly. Imagine you grew up with Applebloom or Sweetie Belle for your entire life, but because one of you got a cutie mark, you never saw them again. Starlight internalized the pain, and it festered. It turned into hatred and she focused it on cutie marks. She changed because I broke her out of her flimsy pretext, and promptly gave her a support group.” “And my dad?” Twilight gave Scootaloo a half smile. “You’ve torn through every psychology book in this library, what do you think?” “Well… he’s never shown sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies before the accident. He acted like a normal pony. He never really had anger issues from what I understand. Hm… could it be the accident gave him depression and he… resorted to alcohol because he was in pain? Then it just… spiraled out of control?” “I think that’s exactly what it was.” “So he was kind of like Auntie Luna. But like, with alcohol to hide the pain instead of the Tantabus to keep it going… because the accident wasn’t his fault?” Twilight gave her a big smile. “I agree. You’re pretty smart, Scootaloo.” “Twilight… could we have saved him at any point?” Twilight was silent for a long time. “M-maybe. Maybe if he saw a psychologist or a therapist when the drinking started he might have turned out differently.” “So he could have turned out nice?” “I don’t know, Scoots. I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers for you.” Scootaloo paused for a few moments. "I know. I'm sorry. And... I forgive you. Please try and forgive yourself." “Wow, she’s really growing up. I’m so proud.” Rainbow smiled, having been filled in on the conversation Twilight and Scootaloo had several hours ago. “Yeah.” Twilight smiled back. “I think she’s going to turn out to be a great pony. She’s expressed interest in the psychology field, and I think she’ll do well there.” “Heck yeah she will! Scoots is awesome!”  “She sure is. And…” Rainbow peered at Twilight quizzically. “And what?” "Dashie, I've been thinking, and a proper part of a relationship is proper communication." "Well we're communicating right now." "That’s not what I meant." "What, do you want me to communicate like a Diamond Dog?" "Dash..." “Eeeee! Me Dash. Pony is Twi! Pony dig!” Twilight reached over and kissed Rainbow on the cheek. "You're such a nerd." "Yeah, but I'm your nerd." “That’s true. But no, I meant like…” Twilight chewed on her lip and idly tapped the table they were sitting at with a hoof. “A lot of relationships fail because the ponies don’t have proper communication. They try to force their way through everything with just solid passion, and end up treading over each other’s hooves, and things start going wrong from there. So I think if we set some rules for each other, and try to be more open with communications, we can ensure we have a healthy relationship!” Rainbow Dash flattened her ears and raised an eyebrow. “Like what?” Twilight hummed softly. “Like for one, no swearing in front of the kids. I know this hasn’t really been much of an issue but we know you can get worked up. And if you’re off doing some Wonderbolts… thing, a letter sent at least every three days. And I want you to try and keep your emotions in check near the kids.” Rainbow smirked. "Alright Twi, you wanna play that game? No overnight study sessions." "But what ab-" "Unless Celestia explicitly tells you you have to." "But what if-" "No exceptions. If we're going to raise a foal together and have a healthy relationship, you're going to bed at a reasonable time, and I expect to see your cute little face next to me when I wake up. You can't be a good parent and girlfriend with no sleep." Twilight’s heart beat a little faster as Rainbow called her Rainbow’s girlfriend. I mean that is what we are, but still! "...Fine. That's fair." "And over the weekend you have to come out and be social with your friends. No more book sortications or whatever.” Rainbow Dash tapped her chin. "Last rule, every morning you have to pay the tax, Twi." "What tax?" Rainbow Dash suddenly leaned forward, pushing her lips against Twilight’s. "That one." "Ooh, I like that rule. Alright, in that case, we’re going to have nights where we get together and just… quietly read at least once a week, our schedules allowing. And you’re going to have to read more than just Daring Do.” Rainbow scoffed. “Ugh, fine. But in return, we’re going flying once a week too. Not for training, just to enjoy flying itself. Aaaaand… we’re going to learn to cook.” Twilight pretended to look hurt. “I can cook!” Rainbow chuckled. “No you can’t Twilight. Neither of us can. We have our kids cook for us. That’s not the mark of a functional family.” Twilight tapped her chin. “Alright, that sounds fair.” “So uh… Twi?” “Yes, Pookie?” Rainbow Dash’s cheeks tinted pink. “I… haven’t really read much outside of Daring Do. What uh… would you recommend I try next?” Twilight grinned wildly as a sudden idea popped into her head. “Rainbow, how do you feel about romance?”