//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Aren't mothers empathetic? // Story: Blind Trust // by danail24 //------------------------------// Chapter 7 “Aren’t mothers empathetic?” The party was a blast and a complete success! Everypony had their fill of fun and delight! The moment midnight struck, princess Celestia retired back to her royal chariot on the edge of town, and made her classy exit. By the time Twilight found Kelly, the little alien child was fast asleep with Spike curled up in a ball in her arms, both tended to under the care of Fluttershy and Rarity. “Urrrgh! How can anypony expect to find somepony in this thick crowd? It’s already past midnight!” The lavender librarian groaned as she settled in between her friends and sleeping responsibilities. “Twilight darling, we thought about looking for you too but Rainbow insisted on finding you herself.” The pristine unicorn explained, tilting the bulb of her forehoof back and forth in a gesturing way. “I’m guessing Pinkie Pie is busy entertaining the guests and that the Apples headed out early because of Apple Bloom.” Twilight came to the conclusion, and after she got her friends’ nods of approval she inquired “By the way, why did Rainbow decided to “borrow” Kelly right before the princess asked for my private audience?” “She wanted to draw the attention away from Kelly after that awkward scene she made with the princess, so she took her outside for some fresh air.” Fluttershy cleared things up on the matter. “By the way dear, what did the princess want to speak with you about?” Rarity asked a question of her own. “I’m glad you asked! The princess wants us to attend the Lunar Eclipse festival in Canterlot! Kelly is invited too!” The number one student of magic beamed as brightly as the sun itself. “Oh, that’s wonderful! I hope we’ll all be able to go!” The shy mare fluttered up, rejoicing in her timid way. “Awwww, Kelly and Spike are so cute sleeping in Rarity’s hooves like that! They’re so peaceful that they’re, they’re… they’re like two peaceful cute… things sleeping on a cloud! But wait they have to be a Pegasus filly and colt to do that! Or maybe not? Maybe Twilight can cast a walking on clouds spell on the three of us tomorrow and we’ll like bounce on a big cloud as if we were on a trampoline! That’d be fun!” Pinkie appeared and stepped out of a cookie jar sporting a yellow party hat with a blue downward swirl, with lots of confetti stuck in her mane. “Pinkie sweetie! Shush! You don’t want to wake Kelly and Spike up now do you?” Rarity sternly berated her scatter-brained friend. “Okay then! I’’ll be real quiet! “ The party mare suddenly toned her voice down to a whisper, making a very good impression of a certain butter-coated pony. “Pinkie, princ…” Twilight started up her sentence only for it to be completed by her random amigo. “…essCelestia invited all 8 of us to the Lunar Eclipse festival! I know! I’ll be sure to bring my best work with me! Oh and I’ll make something special for Princess Luna too! This is going to be… wo-woooah… ooomph!” Pinkie Pie fell over on her back as she stood up on her hind hooves while in the zone. “I’m glad everypony is happy and well.” The bookish equine smiled appeased, content with her accomplishments for the day “I’ll be taking Kelly and Spike home now. They both look completely exhausted. Thank you very much for the party Pinkie Pie! It really helped Kelly and I’m sure it meant much to her!” she complemented her party pal whose face broadened into an unnaturally broad grin in return “Be sure to tell RD and AJ about our invitation and ask them if they can make it.” And with that, Twilight gently levitated the small human and baby dragon up, separating them discretely and lowering Kelly slowly on her back, followed by Spike being perched respectively on the human’s back. As she did so, the little maiden instinctively wrapped her arms around her neck, embracing her tight and close. The task being finished, the pony wizard retreated through the front entrance, avoiding any chance of bumping into anypony. “Sorry girls! I looked everywhere for Twilight but I didn’t see her!” Rainbow Dash flew over but felt confused as her friends started laughing “What? Is there a big secret here I don’t know?” The indigo-maned spellweaver found herself slowly walking back to her library with the human and her assistant on her back just like the night before. She could feel the child’s heartbeat and ribcage heaving and receding. The unicorn mare enjoyed the feeling of the girl’s hands as the little darling shifted a little bit. Ever since she appeared in her life, Twilight had this warm feeling, whenever Kelly was around her. Maybe it is because she feels a strong connection to me and it just rubs off on me. The magic student mused about it but was shaken from her thoughts by the moans of the alien. “Mmmm… so warm… mm… I love you Twilight.” Kelly said unconsciously as she drifted back to sleep. As Twilight heard these words leave the child’s mouth, she couldn’t stop the liquidy substance coming out of her tear ducts. She felt happier than ever! The mare knew how things were going to turn out eventually and she knew what was going to be her resolve when the time came. She just had wait a little more for the right moment. Once home, the lavender mare lay Spike in his basket tucking him in, and did the same with Kelly and her bed, with the exception of removing her dress beforehand. Once she was done preparing for bed herself, she leaned over both creatures special to her and kissed each one. That done Twilight dragged her hooves to her own resting place and dove under the soft eiderdown comforters. With her eyes shutting quickly, the Element of magic soon found herself in the land of slumber. **** The next day wasn’t anything special. There were usual daily processes in the morning; some quality reading; Twilight taking Kelly around town; letting the child hang around with the Crusaders, while she collected their notes on humans from yesterday and copied and edited them. The afternoon was spent in Q&A in order to find more about human culture. It turned out that there were lots of things that humans and ponies shared: similar pieces of literature, holidays, movie theatres, sports, trains, housing, architecture, social life, culture as a whole. Even pony cities had their counterparts! It seems that the only difference between us is the species, the lack of magic in the human world, and the superior technology which they always strive to improve to make up for their natural weaknesses! Oh Princess Celestia is going to love this! She will be so proud with my report! Celestia’s student scribbled down passionately; she was just as excited now as she was when she was a school filly on her first day of private tutorage by her favorite teacher. “Twilight, are we done with questions? I want to play with Spike!” Kelly pouted, bored, wiping some dust off the table in a circular pattern and blowing it off her finger inattentively. “Yeah, Twilight! You have so many scrolls with human info that you don’t know where to put them all.” Spike waved his claws around, squatting up and down impatiently. “Almost done! I just need…” The pony scholar looked up but then her expression changed to that of annoyance as she saw the two kids already going down the stairs, with the dragon leading, both of them cackling gaily “… to do a quick scan and ink-copy spell on Kelly so that a sketch of her can be imprinted on my profile on humans… Why do I even bother?” She glowered, irritated. “Haahaahaahaaaaa! Okay Kelly, I’ve set up some pins I bought with a month’s worth of my allowance! I always wanted to play a special game I came up with! It’s just like bowling, only I call it Dragon-balling because I get to be the ball myself!” The little draconis rubbed his claws together, visualizing what he had in mind. “So, you basically curl up in a ball, I grab you by the tail, you guide me towards where to aim you at, and I let you roll towards the pins. Is that it?” Kelly counted the points of action to make sure she understood. “Exactly! Boy, you catch on quick! I like that!” The reptilian scribe complimented the outlander who blushed in return. Just as Twilight was in the middle of checking for mistakes, she heard a loud THOOOM sound, which made her cross out an entire line. “Spiiiiiike! Kellyyyyyy! No bowling in the house!” “Wuu-uuuuuuuhh… eeee-it’s not bowling Twi… uuuh… it’s Dragon-balling.” A much disoriented Spike answered, the whole world still spinning on him as he collapsed. “It seems that I’ll have to entrust Kelly’s citizenship documents to Owlowiscious.” The organized scholar rolled up a parchment and wrapped the band with the royal seal around it; a little something she got from Celestia last night. “Owlowiscious? I know its daytime and I’m disturbing you but could you take this to the Mayor’s office? It’s important!” The lavender unicorn nudged her nighttime assistant. “Hoo!” The owl woke up and replied affirmatively, taking the scroll in his beak and without complaint flying out the terrace’s window. /Lunar Eclipse Festival day; second day after the party; 8:30 in the morning/ Our heroines and Spike stood at the train station, waiting for their transport to arrive. That is except for a pink mare among them who bounced about, unable to contain herself: “Weeee! This is going to be so much fun! Wait till you see Canterlot Kelly… oh, sorry, I mean feel… no taste, no smell, no hear!” The party pony listed all five senses, not being able to think of a word that could combine them all. “Experience?” The human girl made things easier for her sugary friend who nodded rapidly in return, her tension evaporating. “It was very silly of me to forget that nopony is working on a National holiday.” Twilight giggled at her miscalculation adorkably. “It was the polite way to go about things Twilight. Somepony might have had plans for the holidays, like spending it with their family for example.” Rarity pointed out as a matter-of-factly. “I’m just glad it’s a mostly outside event. I get cramps from being cooped up in closed spaces. After all, I’m not me without my flare!” Rainbow tossed back her mane with a smirk. “I hope Princess Luna will appreciate the critters I’m bringing to her as a gift.” Fluttershy stroked on the two box shaped forms covered in dark sheets. “Don’t worry Fluttershy, you have my word for it! I took special attention on the Princess’ peculiarities during the first Nightmare night.” The nerdy mare assured her shy friend. “Now what is taking that darn train so long?” Applejack took a gander around the rails. “Oooo! Here it comes!” Pinkie pointed South-west as she stopped in mid-bounce while she was ten feet in the air. “Uuuuh, Pinks? Haven’t you heard of gravity?” RD pointed down as she flew by her looney compatriot. “Silly Dashie, gravity is for other ponies! I am Pinkie Pie! I can swim in mid-air!” and true to her word the rule-breaking pony started backstroking as if she were in a pool. “Want some help with these Pinkie Pie? That is if you want to.” The Stare master pointed a hoof at the magenta-maned equine’s luggage which was composed of a lot of party supplies, stacked up in big small-wheeled wagons hooked up to one another. “No thanks! I’ve got it covered!” The party-planner tugged on the first wagon, leading it inside the luggage car with another Pinkie pushing at the end of the last wagon. “Seen it!” Spike said unperturbed by the phenomenon as he took a pair of sunglasses out of the last wagon, put them on and took a slurp from his juicy drink. /At Canterlot Central Station, an hour later/ As they got off the locomotive one by one, Twilight and the gang were greeted by a tour guide and a band of royal porters, the porters offering to carry the octet’s belongings to the castle to which our protagonists gladly accepted. After politely dismissing the tour guide and assuring him they could handle things on their own, Twilight and the others went on their way to the capital. “Well, K, welcome to Canterlot city!” The monochromatic WB fan announced dramatically as they entered the cosmopolitan settlement, spreading her hoof to the greatest sight to behold. Canterlot had never looked so alive in any other time of year! Ponies from all over the country moved around through the sea of their own multitude, adorning the streets with every color and shade imaginable. The architecture looked even more impressive with its dark blue starry decoration with an orange full moon as a focus. There were even a couple of sculptures of princess Luna here and there, made from variable materials (wood, marble, bronze etc.). A sight indeed! “So many smells and sounds!” Kelly’s face broadened into a radiant smile, trying to absorb everything that surrounded her “Just like Alice in Wonderland, only with ponies and… a bit livelier!” “So, who’s up for some hoofball at the stadium?” Rainbow Dash turned on her competitive drive, digging at the ground with one hoof. “Ah’ll take ye up on that offer Dash!” The country mare tilted her hat and they both ran off and blended in the crowd. “Hey, wait! Where are they going?” The alien girl reached out with unease. “Um, Rarity. Could we maybe make one of the local petshops into our first stop… um… please.” Flutters hid behind her mane, not wanting to sound demanding. “That’s fine with me Fluttershy as long as we get to go to the opening of the new Fifi Deluxe Fancy Café afterwards and maybe look at some of Canterlot’s current fashion designs.” Rarity answered, blowing on her forehoof in a slightly vain way. “But…” The young outlandish maiden tried to object but to no avail. “Come on Spike! Let’s go to an ice cream house!” The pink pony crooned to her scaly friend, flipping him on her back. “Awesoooooome!” Spike raised both his arms triumphantly as the mare bounded off with him perched on top. “Speaking of ice cream, wouldn’t it be funny if they misspelled it so it says “I scream” instead of…” Pinkie continued twaddling as they went out of earshot. “But, but, but, but… where did everypony run off to?” Kelly frowned as she felt down in the dumps. “*chrortle* Sorry Kelly but each one of us wants to go to many different places so it was for the best that we split up.” Twilight shook her head, amused at the child’s inability to understand. “Ooooh.” The human moaned, lowering her head. “Hey, brighten up! I have something planned for the both of us!” The magic mare chimed, bumping into the outlander playfully. “Aaaah!” Kelly lit up again. “That’s the spirit! Let’s go! I’ll show you the place where I grew up! You’ll get to meet my parents and brother!” “You have a brother?” “Mmhmmm!” /At the Sparkle’s residence/ As Mrs. Twilight Velvet scrubbed yet another dish with a sponge, she heard a disquieting beeping. Dropping the ceramic saucer back in the sink full of water, the middle-aged mare galloped over to the oven and magically opened its door. Some smoke came out and the unpleasant smell of burnt greens filled her nostrils. “Well it could have come out worse. It’s still good enough.” Mrs. Velvet consoled herself as she swiftly pulled out a big rectangular baking dish that contained her daughter Twilight’s favorite: cheese roasted vegetables. The cheese was a little overdone and some of the vegetables’ tips were burnt but it still looked and probably tasted good. That’s when the pony hostess heard her front door open and an all too familiar sound of trotting before the door shut. As the mother’s heart leapt with joy, she stepped out of the kitchen, ready for a long awaited welcome. “Mooom… Daaaad… Shiniiiing? I’m hoome! And I’ve brought a guest as I explained in advance in my letteeeer!” Twilight Sparkle’s beautiful voice echoed throughout the house. “Oo-o-ooh, sweetie! Welcome ba-ack!” Twilight’s mother met her child halfway, her voice cracking from the unbridled relief to finally reunite with her daughter after such a long time. “Hey, moom!” TS cooed tenderly as she took her mum’s embrace, wrapping a hoof of her own against her back. “I missed you so much dear!” A happy tear fell from the parent’s eye. “Yeah, me too! I haven’t written much to you lately and we only managed to catch up a little bit on things during Shining’s wedding. I didn’t even have time to drop by when that whole “Save the Crystal Empire” thing happened.” The magic student waved her hoof to and fro as she reminisced. “Uuuum, hello Mrs. Sparkle.” The small human squeaked out, feeling awkward for interrupting; or at least that’s what she though. “Oh, where are my manners? Hello dear! You must be Kelly the alien child Twilight wrote to us about. My full name is Twilight Velvet Star Sparkle but you can just call me Velvet!” the hostess introduced herself. “Pleased to meet you Velvet!” Kelly shook the mare’s forehoof, her confidence reestablished. “I have to admit that for the first extra-terrestrial I’ve ever met, you look delicately beautiful for one. Twilight wrote to us so much about you! No wonder the letter was 100 inches long!” Velvet humored the girl as they both burst into a fit of laughter. “Mo-oom, don’t embarrass me in front of Kelly!” The younger unicorn’s face became as red as a tomato as she spoke through her fake toothy grin. “Let’s change the topic! Where are dad and Shining Armor?” “Oh, you know your father! He went to the market to buy you some Easter Lilies for your long awaited visit back home. And as for your brother, he should be home any minute now. He said he needed to get lieutenant Spear Head to cover for him for the next three days.” “And, he’s already back!” a husky male voice sounded from behind the two mares and human. “Shining Armor!” Twilight hopped on her rear hooves before leaping towards her brother who caught and spun her around. “Glad to meet you outside of a national crisis!” The stallion chuckled, giving his sibling a playful noogie. “Very funny BBBFF! I’d like you to meet Kelly, the human child Rainbow Dash found in the middle of Ponyville’s marketplace three days ago.” The smarty pony directed her brother’s attention towards the other guest of honor. “Hey, there kiddo! I’m Shining Armor, Twilight’s older brother! We’re all glad to have you over for lunch!” The captain walked up to the bipedal maiden casually pulled her in close with one hoof. “I’m happy to be here! I sure wish I had a brother or a sister as caring as you.” Kelly returned the hug and nuzzled the male equine “Plus, I think it’s really cool that you’re like something between a police officer and a soldier.” As Twilight and her mother went back to the kitchen to finish up preparations for lunch and catch up, Shining Armor took the alien child to the guest room. There they talked about Twilight’s family, some funny experiences in the lavender mare’s life when she was a filly, shared a few laughs, played a few games. The stallion even let the girl try on his helmet though it looked funny on her as it obscured her entire head. Twilight’s father Night Light returned some time before lunch, with a great bouquet of Easter lilies, which he lovingly gave to his daughter after yet another hug. After the last of introductions were done and over with, lunchtime finally arrived, the whole Sparkle family and the outworldly guest taking their seats on the table filled with delicious steaming nourishment. After Kelly commented on how she liked how the dish was well done, earning a blush from the cook, the conversation drifted towards what our library unicorn had been up to throughout such a large time-span. As Twilight explained, the little orphan listened intently along with her family, soaking up every fascinating detail of her life after her brother’s wedding. “So Kelly, now that the princess herself made you a citizen of Equestria, what are you going to do after you go back to Ponyville?” Night Light looked over to the human with unconcealed curiosity. “I’m… I’m going to wait for somepony to adopt me. That’s the only thing I can do for now.” The little maiden shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “I’m not the one to judge but out of curiosity: why did the princess appoint you Twilight out of all ponies to be her temporary guardian instead of giving that responsibility to the social workers?” Velvet couldn’t help but bring up the issue that has been internally gnawing at her ever since she read the last letter her daughter sent her. “Maybe because the princess trusts that I am more fit to temporarily take care of an alien filly instead of some social workers who’d just put her up in an orphanage where nopony would ever even look at her, let alone adopt her.” The lavender unicorn scowled, plainly demonstrating her vexation at her mother’s comment with every word. “Yes, but alien or not, shouldn’t all orphans go there?” Mrs. Sparkle insisted obstinately, adamant in her questioning of her daughter and ruler’s logic. “Mom, please. Not in front of Kelly. Let’s end this now.” Twilight said through her gritted teeth, pent up frustration starting to pulse in her head. “Twilight! I know you’re a grown mare and all but taking responsibility for a child that isn’t even yours? Why? I mean, the orphanage in Ponyville can’t be that different than those in Canterlot. And I think the fillies and colts there are being taken care of quite well, having seen an orphanage once for myself.” “Dad, Shining! Take Kelly to the living room. It seems that mom and I have some things to discuss.” The talented spellweaver pointed towards the door as she glared at her mother. “Come on, young lady! Let’s go!” The blue stud helped the disquieted maiden get up and both he and his son escorted her out of the dining room. “Mother, I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to tell you!” Twilight carried on as soon as the three were out of earshot. “Did princess Celestia put you up to this? This is so typical of her! I always had the impression that she is forcing too many responsibilities on you; saving Equestria every single time and now this!” “It’s my duty as an Element of Harmony to go on these missions and you know that! Besides she didn’t force Kelly on me! I volunteered!” The book lover twisted the truth a little so that the arguing wouldn’t branch out in another direction. “Well if that’s so, she doesn’t have to be your responsibility!” “Yes she does! She lived all her life in an orphanage until now, and she hated it there! She was bullied only because she was blind for pony sake! Just! Because! She! Was! Blind!” As that little tiff went on the trio that was excluded from it sat on the sofa and listened to some music from a gramophone. Kelly paid no heed to the music; she wasn’t stupid. She could only imagine how her dear Twilight and her mother argued and bickered amongst each other. With a big lump in her throat, the alien girl started sobbing, trying to stifle the noises she made. “Hey, hey, don’t cry kid! It’s okay! They’re just trying to sort out their differences.” Shining Armor made an attempt to calm the human child down. “Th-th-th-they’re fighting over meeeee! I’m… I’m nothing b-bu-buhuhuh, but a big burde-eeeen!” Kelly finally broke out bawling, crying on the pristine stallion’s shoulder. “You’re not a burden pumpkin. Everything is going to be just fine.” Night Light tried to help but without result. “No it’s no-ooot! Mrs. Velvet hates me!” The brown haired maiden didn’t buy it, still whimpering. “Let’s take her to the bathroom!” TS’s father suggested, both of them standing and doing exactly as they intended. *** Eventually both mares reconciled, Twilight Velvet admitting that she had acted selfishly on her part. Besides! It’s only until they find the filly a suitable parent. The hostess settled herself with that thought to calm her mind. As it was nearly time to go, the bookish pony went over to get the little urchin she was responsible for and depart for the town square, where they were supposed to meet the others. She found Kelly where she expected her to be, talking with her brother and father. After informing her family about their plans for the rest of the day, both she and the human left the Sparkle residence. To be continued… PS: For people who keep tabs on the timeline, it’s currently Kelly’s 4th day in Equestria.