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// Starting the Day 
// Story: The Mailmare 
// by frostfauna 
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	"Dinky! Dinky? Where are you my little muffin?" The gray mare called out as she entered her house.
"I'm in your room, mamma!" a little filly called back.
"What are you doing in mamma's room?" The mare walked down the hallway, into her room, and found her little unicorn filly rummaging through her closet. She let out a small gasp and quickly walked over to the filly. "Dinky, how many times have I told you not to go into mamma's things while she isn't around? You promised me last time that you wouldn't do it again, you know better than that," she scolded, an annoyed look on her face.
Dinky was facing her mother, but was staring down at the floor, dejectedly. "I'm sorry mamma, I guess I forgot. I get lonely when you're away on you're mail route. I was just trying to get my cape so I could learn to fly, like you, that way I could come with you to work..." The little filly started to tear up, and sniffle.
The gray mare's expression softened, and she embraced her daughter. "Aww, it's okay Dinky. I could never be angry at you." She put a hoof under Dinky's chin and lifted her head up so they were looking eye-to-eye. She gave her a sincere, caring smile that only a mother was capable of.
Dinky looked up into her mother's off-center eyes. 'She may not be perfect, but she's the best mamma I could ever ask for,' Dinky thought to herself. She was a smart filly, and knew to appreciate everything she had. "I'm sorry mamma, I'll remember next time."
"I know you will, Dinky. You know, you mean the world to me. I love you so much." She held her daughter close, again.
"Hehe," Dinky giggled, "I love you too. You're the best mamma in the whole world!"
"And you're the sweetest little filly ever! I love you with all my heart." She gently pulled away, and looked at her daughter, with teary, glistening eyes. "Now don't you worry, I'll be back from work before you know it, and then we can bake a big batch of tasty muffins together!"
"YAY! Mamma and me are gonna make muffins! I can't wait!" Dinky exclaimed, bouncing around the room, filled with excitement. Then she stopped. "Oooo, oooh, hey mamma? While you're gone today, can I go play with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo? They invited me to go crusading with them! We're gonna find out our special talents and get our cutie marks!"
"Oh, of course you can, Dinky! Just try to be home before it gets dark. You know how much I worry about you!"
Dinky began jumping up and down again, and laughed happily. "Ok, mamma, I'll make sure I am! I'll see you tonight! Love ya!" She rushed to the closet and pulled on a little red cape with a blue patch and golden filly on it. She gave her mother a quick hug, and ran out the door to go meet up with the Cutie Mark Crusaders for their big adventure.
The gray mare walked to the door, and looked out after Dinky. She sighed. "There goes my little muffin... I know it won't last forever, the Doctor made that clear. Nothing ever does. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy every moment we have together." She then returned to her room and retrieved her mailbags. Ready to make her deliveries, she stepped outside of her house, shutting the door behind her, then took in a deep breath of fresh, spring air. She spread her wings, bound off the steps, and flew into the sky. As she headed to her first delivery, she glanced down and smiled as she saw her little filly, Dinky, trotting along with her three friends. Then she looked back up to see her first stop rapidly approaching. It was the only house in Ponyville made of clouds.