//------------------------------// // Mother // Story: Stranger in a Strange Land // by Andrew Joshua Talon //------------------------------// Prince Ryan Solaris, heir to the throne of Equestria (in theory anyway), awoke to the sun rising. He yawned, sat up, stretched his arms over his head... "RYANNNN~!" And was immediately smothered in maternal affection. He groaned as his mother hugged, cuddled and fussed over him. "Mom... Good morning... please let go?" Celestia drew back, tears in her eyes. "Are you saying you don't want to hug your beloved mother?" Celestia sniffled. Ryan grumbled. "Mom, seriously-!" "Oh woe is me!" Celestia sobbed theatrically, "my own son rejecting me! What did I do? My son despises me!' Ryan groaned again, and hugged her. "Please stop it, your acting is terrible," Ryan sighed, patting his mother on the back between her wings. Celestia giggled and smothered him in her bosom. "I'm just trying to put a smile on your face! You're far too young to be so serious!" "Mom, you're over a thousand years old and barely look over twenty-five," Ryan stated. Celestia sniffled again, great big crocodile tears pouring out of her eyes. "Oh no! Your mother is no longer sexy! I'm an old nag!" She covered her face with one hand and threw the other up theatrically. "My own son thinks I'm old and worn out!" "I'm not supposed to think my mom is sexy!" Ryan shouted. "Only weirdos think their moms are sexy!" Celestia peeked at Ryan between her fingers. "So, you think your mom isn't old and worn out?" "No, just weird," Ryan sighed, "come on Mom. You're the ruler of a country!" "Which is why you must take every chance for fun you can!" Celestia chuckled, hugging her son tightly again. "Especially TICKLE TIME!" "AH-! NO! STAHAHAHAHA-!" Ryan guffawed, before rolling out of bed. He stood up, and held his hands up as his mother giggled. "Mom! Seriously!" His mother pouted. "Aw, you used to love Tickle Time!" "Yeah. When I was five!" Ryan sighed. He turned to start getting dressed. "Why are you doing this?" "Because... You're growing up." Ryan turned and stared. His mother looked so... Forlorn. He felt his stomach drop, and frowned. "Mom-" "I'm so proud of you, but... I remember when you were so small. Helpless. But your little eyes were filled with love. I remember your first laugh, you know? It was so joyous..." She looked away, her face so sad. Ryan walked to his mother's side. She slowly looked up at him, a smile returning to her face, but... Full of melancholy. "I just... Can't help remembering those times. When I was your whole world. Now you're going to school, meeting fillies. It's just... Hard to explain." "Mom," Ryan murmured. He hugged her tightly. Her smile warmed again, as she returned it. "Where does the time go?" Celestia asked, "there's so much ahead..." "Mom... I'm still your son. And I do love you," Ryan said earnestly. Celestia beamed, and kissed his cheek. He was getting taller every day. "I know... I just want to remember those times. To not lose them," she said. "I could use reminders from time to time." Ryan chuckled. "Well... We could play in a pillow fort again sometime?" "That would be nice," Celestia said, "we could build the battlements out of my paperwork." "Won't Raven Quill yell at us for that?" "I'll give her a vacation. Harmony knows the poor dear needs one."