//------------------------------// // Evening Stroll // Story: A Life-Changing Blessing // by MIKEANTHONY321 //------------------------------// That was the most sudden change of subject that Spirit had ever witnessed. It was time to approach this very delicately… “Um…okay… So when did this happen?” He asked. “About ten minutes ago, right before I came in the kitchen to tell you about it.” Rainbow Dash replied. “Did you…um…get cleaned up before you left?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Well yeah, of course. I’m not just some unsanitary freak who lets her bodily fluids drip all over her household.” Spirit couldn’t help but to chuckle at that comparison. His daughter was sometimes good at putting a playful spin on words. “So now we should probably go to the marketplace sometime tomorrow to buy…um…” Spirit stuttered. “Tampons?” Rainbow Dash finished for him. “Yeah, that’s the word.” Strangely enough, this conversation was kind of embarrassing Spirit instead of Rainbow Dash, when it should’ve been the other way around. “Can we just go today? I have nothing else to do.” Rainbow Dash suggested. “Dash, it’s like…nine-thirty right now, and the marketplace is apt to be closed. We’ll just go tomorrow morning. Besides, who buys tampons under full moonlight?” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I don’t see why not.” “I still think it’s a little late to be taking a walk.” Spirit added. “Aw, c’mon! I don’t usually go to bed until about ten-thirty! Can we at least take a walk to the marketplace just in case?” “Rainbow Dash, I just know it’s going to be closed. It’ll be a waste of time.” “Even if it is, it’ll be a good form of exercise. Plus, we’ll get to hang out a little bit. Just the two of us.” Spirit was a little skeptical of what exactly teenagers meant by ‘hanging out’, but he decided that it would probably be okay. The temperature was fairly nice outside. … “Okay, fine. It’s not like either of us have anything going on tomorrow, so we don’t exactly have to be up early for anything.” “But don’t I have school tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Monday.” Rainbow Dash asked. “I called you in for the week because of your injury. My boss is also giving me a break from the rock farm to take care of you.” “Sweet! Now you don’t have to go anywhere the whole week! It’ll be just us from tomorrow to Friday……awesome.” “Yes, but that also means I’m not receiving any income for the whole week. We’re going to have to cut back on extras for a little while until I’m back in the fields.” Rainbow Dash simply nodded in understanding. Spirit walked toward the front door, and began to put his boots and his hat on. “Why do you need to wear boots? It hasn’t rained for a couple weeks.” Rainbow Dash asked. Spirit shrugged. “I guess I’m that kind of pony who doesn’t like getting his hooves dirty.” “I don’t mind. I’ll just go bare-hooved like I always do.” Rainbow Dash replied. “Whatever you want is fine. But enough about this. Are we going or not?” ……………………………… Rainbow Dash and Spirit stepped out into the mild, humid night. Various streetlights dimly lit the sidewalk that they traveled on. Not a single pony could be seen on the urban horizon. “Even though it’s nighttime, it’s actually pretty nice out here.” Spirit observed. “Hey, you can see where I crashed from here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Uh, yeah. Listen, how about we don’t talk about that for right now?” “Well, to change the subject, I just remembered something from school that happens a week from Friday.” Rainbow Dash suggested. “Oh really, and what might that be?” “A dance. Our school is hosting a big dance that will take place at the rec center a week from Friday. You’ll be allowed to bring dates!” She exclaimed. “Are you sure you’re old enough to be dating colts? Stuff like that can end very badly.” “C’mon dad, I’ll be fourteen in like…two months. Isn’t that old enough?” “Actually, no. I grew up with sixteen being the ideal age.” “Why is young dating such a bad thing? I don’t see why you have to be a certain age to love anypony.” “It’s not loving somepony that’s bad. You shouldn’t get involved with anypony is what I’m trying to say. As we already know, you just had your first period not half an hour ago. I don’t want you skipping a few bases and doing something you’ll regret later on.” “I’m going to assume that whatever you’re talking about isn’t much of a big deal, so I’m ignoring it.” “Unless you have full control over your thoughts and actions, high school can be a dangerous, rickety time in the world of romance. I’m just trying to keep you safe. You can go to the dance, but I don’t want you dating anypony just yet.” “There’s no point in going to the dance if you’re not holding somepony’s hoof while you’re there!” “Here, I’ll make you a deal. If you can prove to me that you’re responsible enough to take on the task of dating somepony, I’ll let you do so. But if you make one slip up, you’re waiting two more years. Got it?” “Deal.” Rainbow Dash responded. ……………………………………… Rainbow Dash and Spirit walked the rest of the way in silence. The only noises that could be heard were the chirping of crickets and the flickering of old streetlights. The further the two walked, the more doubtful Spirit was becoming of the market being open. There was not a soul to be seen on the street besides them. Many stars and planets could be seen in the night sky from Ponyville’s very dim lighting. Off in the distance, Rainbow Dash noticed various city lights coming from a massive cumulus cloud that hung far off the ground. It was Cloudsdale. “Dad, if you ever finish that harness, do you think I’ll be able to see Cloudsdale for the first time?” She asked. Spirit followed her gaze, and saw the giant airborne city hanging above the ground many miles away from their location. “As long as you’re able to fly, you’ll be able to reach Cloudsdale. Obviously, the entire population is pegasi. That’s where my wife was from.” He explained. “It’s too bad you’ll never be able to see it.” Rainbow Dash sighed. Spirit put a hoof on his daughter’s shoulder. “Anything is possible.” To be Continued…