//------------------------------// // Chapter LVII // Story: The Group Chat // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I gestured for Diamond to follow me closer as we watched the two mares sleeping quietly as Trixie nuzzled Cloudkicker in her sleep and I stifled a giggle as Diamond glowed light blue from my magic. “Geronimo!” I shouted with a smirk and tossed Diamond onto the two sleeping mares. “Gah!” Cloudkicker shouted as she and Trixie jumped, hastily looking at each other. “What on earth was that?” “We got attacked by a furry freaking missile!” Trixie said as she rubbed her eyes. “Good morning,” I snickered as I trotted over and kissed them both on the forehead. “Diamond Tiara doubles as a missile, did you know that?” “You’re so lucky I don’t have fingers otherwise I’d be showing you one right now!” Trixie shouted as I levitated Diamond off of them and onto the ground next to me. “What on earth was that for?” Cloudkicker demanded as she narrowed her eyes and I laughed into a hoof. “Well, it’s morning time and it’s time to get up. I wanna show you three around Canterlot before we go watch the yearly tree lighting downtown,” I explained as Cloudkicker rolled over. “It’s really amazing. I loved it as a filly every year. One of the better memories I have with mom.” “Five more minutes?” Trixie said hopefully as Cloudkicker and nudged her. “Unfortunately I’m awake and so are you. I don’t know why I didn’t feel cold. I fell asleep holding Sunset last night,” Cloudkicker said as I snorted. “What?” “You were holding Trixie all night and vice versa. Kinda glad to see you two liking each other as much as I like you both. I was a bit worried about that.” “Okay I’m leaving to find the dining room before this gets even grosser,” Diamond gagged as we all laughed and she hastily left the room. “Well, she obviously doesn’t do well with that type of talk,” Trixie noted as I sighed and nodded. “It wasn’t really said in her old house so that’s to be expected. I’m not used to it either in all honesty but uh I’m trying,” I admitted as the other mares faces fell. “Damn. Well, you’re doing good at it,” Cloudkicker said as she rested a hoof on my thigh. “Now come on, we should follow her. I don’t want Diamond getting lost or accidentally coming across the other three kids your mom brought over. I have a feeling that would end poorly.” I had a feeling I agreed with her on that one. Partially while I was avoiding the west side of the castle so I didn’t see them either. I didn’t necessarily know that’s where they were but the increased guard president and Raven, Grace and Peachy Plume visiting every day told me something was up. I trotted down the street with Cloudkicker in between me and Trixie with Diamond on my back. Mom and Aunt Princess Luna had long since gone ahead for the lighting as we walked around large crowds. “So what’s it like?” Diamond asked as she peered over my mane. It still was a bit to get used to carrying a filly on my back but I can adapt. “Pretty much just like it is back home except they use magic here and the same thing is probably happening in Ponyville as we speak. I do wonder how your sister and the others are faring,” I said as we dodged a large group of ponies. “Hopefully they aren’t raising too much problems. Otherwise I’d be concerned,” Cloudkicker muttered. “I’m sure they’re fine,” I reassured the pegasus. “Now we should hurry, I haven’t seen this in years. Kinda miss it in all honesty.” I gave a frustrated groan as Trixie snickered and Cloudkicker placed a wing on my back. “Alright chill. We’re right around the corner now calm down your inner filly or no hugs tonight,” Trixie groaned as Diamond Tiara nuzzled the back of my head. “Right right sorry. I don’t really get excited about much anymore in all honesty. Unless we are talking about video games because I am [iall over that.” The three chuckled as we rounded the corner and they all stared in silence. “Now that is a lot of ponies,” Diamond whistled. “Forget the ponies, that is a big tree,” Trixie commented as Cloudkicker nodded. “They always go big here,” I answered as we all stared at it. “It’s used to be just mom but now with Aunt Luna back, it’s a bit more important to us now.” I couldn’t necessarily make out what Celestia was saying but I pretty much knew her speech by heart after hearing it for years. “Woah,” Diamond said as she stared over my mane as the tree burst out in different glowing colors as the lights turned on. “Pretty.” “It is, isn’t it?” I said as I smiled. “I missed this. No offense, but tree lightings in the human world don’t even compare to one’s here. You should see the ones in Manehatten, I’ve only seen it once.” “What do you normally do for Christmas?” Cloudkicker asked as her wing pulled us closer. “Well I used to do nothing except get me some random books or Xbox. Clothes to survive ya know. Got to sleep early normal stuff really,” I answered with a guilty frown. “And well, now I have a daughter to think about. I can’t sleep in anymore.” I paused and looked back at Diamond snoring on my back. She seemed peaceful in her sleep, I won’t ever admit this out loud but I do enjoy watching her sleep. Feels kinda weird to think about. Does that make me a stalker? “No it doesn’t,” Celestia said as I jumped. I didn’t even notice her approaching or my partners talking quietly to Aunt Luna. “Just makes you a mom. I did it all the time when you were growing up. Also, what should Luna and I get Diamond for Hearths Warming?” “I uh said that out loud?” I asked with a blush as I shifted Diamond so she didn’t fall. “I know she hasn’t really had a childhood like I did or Trixie or well, anypony normally does. Anything is fine as long as the toys aren’t too childish please. And don’t go overboard, don’t want her overwhelmed.” “Quietly to yourself but yes in a way. I do approve of your marefriends by the way. They seem like a good pair of mares. And I promise, we won’t go overboard. Don’t worry.” I glanced over at Trixie poking at Cloudkickers wing as the pegasus playfully swatted her hoof away as the two laughed about something and I smiled fondly at the two. “Yeah, yeah they are.”