Growing Up
"You've got a bright future ahead of you."
Flare found herself chuckling in the living room, an excited filly running around the apartment. “Mom! Does my mane look nice?” Misty Sparks asked, fretting over her blonde mane. “I want to look my best!”
Flare brushed some stray locks out of the filly’s eyes and gave her a tender smile. “You’re perfect darling. I am certain Mr. Blueberry will think you’re an excellent student. Now come over here so I can get a photo.”
Little hooves carried the filly to Flare, who floated a camera over. Misty Sparks grinned massively, scrunching her dark freckles up and squinting lime eyes. The bright flash made her blink rapidly, and Flare grabbed the polaroid with magic and started waving it to help it develop. “Good girl. Now, go grab your saddlebag so we can go. We don’t want to be late now do we?”
Misty Sparks shook her head and ran back to her room. As she ran out, she nearly collided with her father. “Careful there racer!” Joked Silver Shock, then played with her blonde mane. Misty Sparks wailed and immediately started smoothing it back out around her horn. “Whoops.”
Flare tutted softly as she came over to reassure the filly. “Hun, you know she hates that.”
“I couldn’t resist!” He defended, “she’s just too cute!” Flare rolled blue eyes and nuzzled his cheek, the silver stallion beaming instantly.
“You are right about that. Did you bring what I asked?”
“Of course!” Silver Shock replied, and he reached into his own saddlebags. Green magic revealed a notepad with pristine paper and an elegant pen. “You know what this is, right Misty?”
The filly scrunched her nose with thought. “Uhm… Wait- that’s your pen!”
Silver Shock nodded. “Yes, it is! I think you’re ready to use it now, so it’s all yours. Make sure you write down what Mr. Blueberry teaches you in this notebook, okay?”
Misty Sparks cheered and took the gifts eagerly. She tucked them away in her saddlebag then hugged her father. He resisted ruffling her mane once more. “Thank you, Dad!”
“You’re welcome, honey. Now, let’s get to school!” He lifted her onto his back with magic and the parents departed their apartment. The one detriment of being the Overmare’s family meant their dwelling was up in the admin wing, furthest away from the school on the Unicorn level five levels down. They strode through admin with friendly greetings to those working and made quick to the elevator in the main hallway. Misty Sparks could barely contain her excitement as the elevator started down.
“Mom, will you and Dad be waiting for me when school is over?” She asked.
“Of course darling! We’ll pick you up first thing!”
Silver Shock chuckled. “When you’re a bit older we’ll trust Blaze to walk you home, would you like that?”
Ears swiveled forward at the thought of her older cousin escorting her. “That’d be fun! I like seeing her!”
“Good!” Silver Shock said, “I think she likes you too. Aunt Ember asked if you’d like another playdate this weekend.”
“Oh! Yes please!” She bounced on his back. Flare gave a good-humored laugh and scratched the filly behind the ear.
On the third level, a few ponies joined them in the elevator, giving pleasant greetings to the family. Among them was the Chief of Medical, Healing Drops. The matured mare examined Misty Sparks before giving a slow smile. “I can’t quite believe she’s going to school now,” she remarked.
Flare nodded. “It’s crazy to me too. It still feels like last week I was changing diapers and trying to keep her magic flares under control.”
“Remember when she teleported onto the ceiling fan?” Snickered Silver Shock.
“I remember your panicked visit thinking she’d hurt herself because she started crying, but she was just scared!” Healing Drops chortled. Misty Sparks’ ears fell back and she pressed herself closer to her father. “Oh don’t be scared now, little filly. Everything is going to be alright.”
“You promise?” Came her small voice.
“I promise!”
The filly smiled wide and gave a nod. Soon enough they were on the sixth floor, and most of the elevator emptied out including the family. Healing Drops waved them goodbye as she started towards the library. Misty Sparks jumped down from her father’s back and straightened her stable suit. Once she was confident she looked her best, she smiled up at her parents who led the way to the schoolhouse.
Several families were chatting with their foals outside, while a few children were already inside. One such foal was Blaze, who was in her third year of school while this was Misty Sparks’ first. Her cousin caught her staring, and gave a smug grin. “Come on Sparky, class is gonna start soon!”
Misty Sparks looked at her parents who gave an encouraging nod, then darted to a seat next to her cousin. Once her saddlebags were situated, she ran back to her parents who frowned in confusion. Without a word, Misty Sparks hugged their legs, and they fawned with admiration and returned the gesture. “Have a good day at school,” Flare said.
“Make sure you pay attention,” ordered Silver Shock.
“I will!” She promised. Turning quick as she’d come, the filly returned to her seat next to Blaze.
Blaze stuck out her tongue. “You’re still a baby!”
“Am not! I’m in school now!”
“Are too!”
“Am not!”
The parents chuckled to themselves, watching for a few moments longer. They could hardly believe she was growing up. With hearts full of love, they departed, leaning into one another in a gentle stroll.