//------------------------------// // XXXII: Doing it all over again // Story: The Flutterheart Diaries // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// 1-11-13 Well, it looks like I’m safe for the time being. We went to see Nurse Redheart to see what the foal would be. I was sweating and anxious the entire time. I had to keep getting water because my throat was drying up in anticipation. We stepped into the room and they did that jelly thing and put it on the monitor. Those things always look like Rorschach drawings to me, so I just had to wait for her response. “Congratulations! It’s a colt!” I fell dead silent, and Flutterheart looked over at me and smiled, a “It’s not your fault, I still love you” gesture. “Oh, no, wait, that’s a leg. It’s a filly!” I don’t remember how high I jumped or how long as I was tapdancing (Or attempting to) but Flutterheart gave me the biggest smile I’ve seen from her since we started dating. Looks like I get to live for a little longer. I’m glad to see that she wasn’t going to be upset if it wound up being a colt, though. “Am I gonna be a big brother now?” asked Anacrusis. I simply bent down, looked him straight in the eyes, and asked him: “Well...only if you’ll be a good, nice big brother. Otherwise we’ll have to give her to a different family!” “NO!” Yelled Flutterheart. Nurse Redheart was terribly confused throughout the ordeal. “I’ll be a good brother, I swear! I’ll teach her words and how to read, and stuff!” “I’m sure you will be, Anacrusis. I know you will be.” Anacrusis and Flutterwing burst in the door, dropping their saddlebags. Trey and Fluttershy smiled at them, ready to hear about the first day of 7th grade. “So I take it school went well today?” asked Fluttershy, giving Flutterwing a nice, big hug. “Yes, Mommy! I have some nice teachers!” “Well, that’s good! I’m sure you’ll have a great school year.” “So what about you?” asked Trey, nodding at Anacrusis. “What’s your year going to be like?” “Well, my writing class looks promising. We’re going to have a 6-10 page creative story due later in the semester.” “Now...can you keep a creative story within 6-10 pages?” “No, not really.” “Why not just make a short story?” “I’m not sure how, really.” “Hm...you know who else is a good writer?” “You?” “Well yeah, but Twilight Sparkle. I can see if she’d like to help you do different kinds of writing, different genres, etc. She writes letters to the princess all the time. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help you.” “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go see her!” “Hold your horses!” said Fluttershy, chuckling at his eagerness. “It’s a little late for that. Besides, Trey has to talk to her first!” “Oh, alright...” “Why not write something after dinner? I’m sure she’ll be glad to read it. Plus, she’ll better understand how to help!” said Trey, making Anacrusis smile. “That sounds good. So what’s for dinner?” “I figured we’d have something different. We’re going to have...hay Souffle.” “Is that any different from regular hay?” “You’ll find out soon enough.” *** “Oh, I’d love to take him under my wing!” yelled Twilight excitedly. “Yeah...that phrase doesn’t work as well when you don’t have wings.” said Trey, a snide expression his face. “Oh. Well. Anyways, what time were you looking to have him over?” “Does after school seem like a good time?” “That sounds excellent. I have several different books he can read to get a sense of style, and several writing tools...oh, this is going to be so much fun!” she said, clopping her hooves together in excitement. Trey smiled at her, glad to see her so happy. “How about tomorrow?” “The sooner the better! It’s nice to have some company. Spike’s been away at Canterlot for a while...” “Well, I’ll make sure he knows to trot over! Have you read any of his writings?” “No, not yet.” “His has quite an extensive vocabulary. I think his main issue is smoothing out and developing a writing style to actually fit those words in. You send letters all the time, I figured you’d be perfect for the job.” “I won’t let you down. I’d better get some materials ready!” she said, her horn glowing purple as things started levitating in the background. “Alright, Eager Beaver. See you tomorrow!” said Trey, flashing her a smile. Twilight nodded, waved, and stepped inside to gather her things. *** Anacrusis leapt for joy as the final bell rang out. He gathered his saddle bags, writing utensils, journals, anything to be of use, said goodbye to Cherry and Flutterwing, and made a hurried effort to get to the library, looking as hyper as Pinkie Pie on coffee. Sweat beaded his brow as he reached the “Welcome!” mat of the library, and calmly tried to compose his breath. He wasn’t at the doorstep for more than a few seconds before Twilight burst open the door, beaming at him with a sparkle in her eye reminiscent of her cutie mark. “Oh...” she said, noting his panting. “I didn’t mean that you had to actually gallop over here...” “No, it’s fine...I wanted to.” “Well then!” she shouted, beaming once again. “Come on in!” Twilight Extended her hoof, leaving the door wide open for him to enter. He casually trotted inside, looking around. “Well, take a seat!” she said, sitting on a pillow near a table where parchment, ink, and quills were all set up neatly. Anacrusis took the seat adjacent to her. “SO...tell me more about you!” exclaimed Twilight, resting her head on her hooves, smiling at him. “Well...I’m Bandmaster Anacrusis the fourth. I’m yellow...with my dad’s mane colors...my favorite book is the dictionary...um...what kinds of things did you want to know?” “Awesome! Let’s get started!” she beamed. “Uh...” said Anacrusis, a bit muddled. Was she even paying attention? “So what kind of genre do you like best?” “Never really thought about it. Probably action. Or comedy.” “No romance?” “Nah. That’s my dad’s thing.” “You don’t have a special somepony?” “Yeah, I do.” “Oh? What’s her name?” “Chocolate Cherry. We just call her Cherry for short.” “So how did you guys meet?” “School. Valentine’s day.” “Oh, that’s sweet!” said Twilight, absorbing herself in their story, asking him everything, from how she was, what she looked like, acted like, what her talent was, how they met, and what kinds of things they did together, losing track of time. Anacrusis smiled at her, laughing with her, completely forgetting about the writing, simply having a good time with Twilight. Who knew she could be so much fun? A knock at the door resounded, bringing Twilight and Anacrusis back to the real world. Both of them got up and answered the door, smiling, to find Trey standing there, a smile on his own face. “Well, what are you two so happy about? Had fun, I take it?” “Oh, it was a blast. Twilight’s awesome!” “So what kinds of things did you do?” “Mostly talked about me and Cherry.” said Anacrusis. Trey raised an eyebrow and looked over at Twilight, whose smile had lowered, her ears pinned back in a “Oh, no” motion. “Are you still lonely?” asked Trey. “Yes...Spike’s gone, and I don’t have any company! It’s nice to see somepony...every once in a while...” she continued, drifting off, giving Trey an awkward smile. “I have a friend who’s coming into town in a few days for a concert. Why don’t you gather up the girls and come along? I’m sure he’d like to meet you.” “What’s his name?” “Kirakuk.” “That’s an...interesting name.” “Yeah. But he’s a real nice guy.” he said, leaning in to give her a hug. He whispered in her ear, making sure Anacrusis couldn’t hear them. “And he’s single.” Trey released the hug to see Twilight smiling at him, her eyes full of hope and wonder. Anacrusis gave her a quick hug as well. “Thanks for helping out today. I’m sure he’ll be back again tomorrow.” “Yes, thanks, Twilight! You’re awesome!” said Anacrusis, giving her another quick hug. “Oh, anything to help a friend! I’ll see you tomorrow!” she said, closing her door. A loud shriek of excitement, followed by laughter and “YES YES YES YES YES!” came from behind the door. Anacrusis looked behind him, seeing Twilight bounce around in the window. Trey simply smiled. “Dad...what was that?” “Nothing, son. Don’t worry about it.”