Moondancer
I gave a sigh as I looked out the window as Canterlot came into view.
“Hey,” Cotton Cloudy said as she settled down next to me. “Weird seeing you here alone. Where’s you group of compatriots?”
“Big word for a filly. Back in Ponyville,” I grumbled as I looked at her. “Which is where you’re supposed to be. What gives?”
“School is over for the weekend. Duh.”
“Uh huh,” I said as I resisted the urge to face hoof. I completely forgot it was Saturday. “And your guards?”
“They trusted you enough to look after me apparently. They’re flying to Canterlot instead. They also expect you to drop me off at the orphanage. Why have you been crying exactly?”
I raised an eyebrow slightly which she promptly mimicked. It was almost enough to make me chuckle. Almost.
“My date with Twilight went poorly. I screwed up big time and I fled. This was my one chance and I knew she will never give me another so I left. I’m going back to work for a bit.”
“Mhm,” Cotton Cloudy nodded as she fluttered her wings and stood up. “That sounds shitty.”
“Aren’t you a bit young to cuss?” I pointed out sternly.
“What are you gonna do, tell my handlers?” Cotton mocked as I shrugged. “They won’t do anything except take dinner away for a day.”
I frowned slightly as the train slowed to a stop. That didn’t really sit right with me. There was always other ways to punish colts or fillies in my opinion.
I stood up and trotted off the train with the filly behind me as I levitated some paper towels my way and wiped off my smeared make up, only stopping to confirm I looked more like my old self.
“You look fine good lord,” Cotton snarked as she rolled her eyes. “I’m exhausted, can we hurry up please? I’m hungry too, didn’t get to eat before I left.”
“Yeah yeah. We can stop and grab something on the way. Ice cream sound good?”
“Sure. Just don’t tell the orphanage, I’m not allowed to have ice cream after nine pm.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I promised and I gave a faint smile. “Now come on, this way.”
I gave a yawn as we both trotted to the closest ice cream store I knew.
Cotton and I trotted out of the ice cream shop as I levitated some wet wipes to her and we both wiped our muzzles off, depositing the spent items in the trash cans nearby.
“Thanks,” Cotton Cloudy said as she yawned and we started walking in the direction of the orphanage.
“You’re welcome,” I answered.
The next ten to fifteen minutes was quiet, us navigating the streets with ease due to everypony being inside since it was late. I trotted up the steps with the filly behind me as I opened the door with my magic and we trotted inside.
A cream coated pegasus with a messy blue mane and lightning bolt earrings sat at the desk, messing with a pair of goggles.
“Hey,” she said without looking up. “We’re closed for the night so scram.”
“Dropping off Cotton Cloudy for her Guards,” I snapped as she sat up straighter. I didn’t really like her tone.
“Oh. Let me call the boss,” the pegasus sighed and pulled a microphone to her muzzle. “Sunny, front desk.”
I gave a nod as Cotton Cloudy paced back and forth with a bored and tired expression before letting out a yawn.
A light turquoise unicorn trotted in as she tossed a glare at the pegasus.
“What’s up Indigo?” The pony I assumed to be Sunny grumbled. “I was over halfway through story time for the fillies and colts. Now I’ll have to restart.”
“Sorry,” Indigo commented though she didn’t sound very sorry. “She’s dropping off Cotton Cloudy. Figured you’d want to take her yourself.”
Sunny gave me a critical look before nodding and waving us forward with a hoof.
“Follow me. Both of you,” she tossed her head back over her shoulder as I shrugged and followed her. “Cotton, go to your bunk. Nice to see you again.”
“Yes miss,” Cotton bowed her head slightly as she and mare with a green mane started walking together. I waved to her as she tossed a lazy smile my way.
“You must be Moondancer,” Sunny said as I flinched. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Good things I hope.”
“Mainly about you being very annoying. You should take that as a good thing,” Sunny said as she led me into an office. “My name is Sunny Flare by the way, I’m the director of this orphanage. The pegasus is Indigo Zap, a filly hood friend and the green maned earth pony was Lemon Zest. She’s anything childhood friend.”
“Why exactly should I take me being called annoying a good thing?”
“It’s Cottons language. She only calls the ponies she likes annoying. Most are put off by her sarcastic and sassy behavior and quit visiting her but not you. You keep showing up to see her.”
“She’s unique.”
“Agreed,” Sunny nodded and leaned forward eagerly. “What exactly are your plans with her? Do you wish to adopt?”
I gave her a confused look before chuckling.
“Me? Adopt? You’re funny. I’m not cut out to be a parent. I don’t really have any plans for her. Why?” I asked as she gave me an unreadable expression.
“I see. I see lots of ponies come in and out, we are the busiest orphanage in Canterlot after all. I see hundreds of ponies everyday. Don’t give Cotton that hope that I see so many others give her and then take it away.”
“I-what?”
Sunny gave a frustrated sigh as she slammed her head onto her desk before lifting it.
“I mean she actually enjoys your company. Until you decide what you want, I don’t want to see you around here.”
“You’re banning me?” I asked incredulously as she nodded.
“Temporarily. I have to protect my colts and fillies here. A mare who needlessly offers them a hope and then takes it away is very damaging to their young minds.”
“I agree,” I sighed as she rummaged through a filing cabinet with her magic and placed a thick folder in front of me.
“When you decide, come see me,” Sunny Flare said and gave me a warm smile again. “Until then, goodbye Moondancer.”
“Goodbye Sunny Flare.” Sunny pushed the folder closer to me with a hoof and gave me an expecting look. I could faintly make out the words adoption form in black, large letters.
I hesitated for a moment before I accepted the papers.