//------------------------------// // XXII: Meet the family // Story: The Flutterheart Diaries // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// 6-12-13 Anacrusis’ vocabulary still hasn’t increased much, but hey, that one word is all he’ll need for now. The band found it absolutely charming, and it’s become a bit of an inside joke. They want me to bring Anacrusis by one day just so they can hear him shout it out. Shout it out...sounds like a great name for a stand tune. I’ll get to work on that. Otherwise, Flutterhearrt and I have discussed the possibility of having another child. We’ve agreed it’s still a little early to think about it, but that we definitely wouldn’t mind having another child, especially a daughter. Anacrusis certainly wouldn’t mind having a playmate, especially one his own age. There’s not a lot of foals for him to play with, and I feel like I’m depriving him. Sure, he loves playing with Flutterheart and I, but he needs interaction with other foals, too. Flutterheart and I are about to go to the Gala, though, so we’ll probably put him in the care of a foalsitter overnight. We’ll see how he handles it. I hate to leave him for an entire day, though. Anacrusis is definitely going to grow up to be one of those touchy feely foals. He gets a lot of contact from Flutterheart and I, and, much like myself, that will most likely equivalate to love for him. Flutterheart and I hug and nuzzle him on a regular basis and recently he’s started to do the same to us on his own accord. It’s so adorable, though. He’ll simply stand under me with those big eyes and babble, sometimes saying “Band?” before standing up on his hind legs, begging for me to pick him up. Of course, I couldn’t help but to quickly pick him up and nuzzle him, if only to hear him shriek in laughter. I love being a dad. Nothing’s brought me more happiness in my life than the simple joy of being a father. Every day is an adventure that I can’t wait to live. Daring Do has nothing on me. The adventurous father, Trey *** “Well, come on in!” said Trey, answering the knock at the door, finding a dark brown Earth Pony with a red mane. “You must be Chocolate Cherry!” “Um...yes. Pleased to meet you.” she said timidly, scanning the inside of the house for Anacrusis, who promptly galloped into view upon hearing of her arrival. They both smiled upon seeing each other, and Chocolate Cherry stepped into the cottage. “And that’s my dad!” said Anacrusis, introducing the two. Chocolate Cherry dipped her head in nodding, smiling at him. “That’s my mom, and that’s Flutterwing, but you already met her.” he said, pointing at the two who were standing close by. Fluttershy gently introduced herself, letting her know she could help herself to anything to make herself comfortable. “So, what do you want to do?” Anacrusis asked her. “I don’t know. What’s there to do?” “Frisbee?” asked Trey, offering the family’s pastime as an option. Flutterwing bounced up at the suggestion, eager to play. “Oh. Uh...sure!” she said, smiling. Flutterwing screamed in joy, hurriedly retrieving the Frisbee, trotting outside before the rest of them even reached the door. “I guess she really wanted to play.” said Chocolate Cherry, noting her eagerness. “It’s her second favorite game.” said Trey. “What’s her first?” “It’s a secret.” said Trey, winking. “Come on, guys!” yelled Flutterwing, her eyes as big as saucer plates. *** “They seem like a cute couple.” said Fluttershy. “They do.” said Trey, peering through the living room window at them, as they played outside with Flutterwing. “But we still need to keep a watch on them. I mean...we haven’t even met her parents yet. Shouldn’t we have done that first?” “Oh. I guess that makes sense. Maybe we should arrange that for later?” “Absolutely. My only debate is whether he’s at that point to be left alone with her.” “Why? What’s wrong?” “He’s still young, yes, but he’s still a colt. I know we raised him right so far, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not a possibility he could get carried away.” “Oh...” “I’m sure he’ll be fine, but you can never be too sure.” he said, smiling at her. “I just want him to be happy.” “I’m sure he will be.” he said, looking out the window again. Anacrusis was playing keep-away from Flutterwing with Chocolate Cherry, finding her eagerness to get the Frisbee back amusing. Flutterwing frantically tried to use her wings, to no avail. Regardless, she still was having fun. Chocolate Cherry seemed to be having a lot of fun as well. “Should we have her over for dinner?” asked Fluttershy. “I don’t see why not.” said Trey, smiling. “It might be good.” he added, Trotting outside to ask. “Care to stay for dinner, Chocolate?” “Yes, please.” she said, responding without a second thought. Trey smiled. “Of course. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.” he said, trotting off. “So?” “She’ll be joining us for dinner. I’ll get started!” “That sounds nice!” she said, giving him a quick kiss. “I’m sure she’ll love it.” *** “So, tell us a bit more about yourself. What kinds of things do you do for fun?” asked Trey, over dinner. “Well...I found I was great at making chocolate covered cherries. As well as other fruits, too. But mostly cherries.” said Chocolate Cherry, shyly. “Other than that, I don’t really get out much. I just stay at home helping around the house.” “What about your parents? What do they do?” asked Fluttershy. “Um...” she began, struggling to find the words to explain. “...my dad works for the...um...” she started, embarrassed to say it. “...trash collection.” she finished, hanging her head. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of!” said Trey, recognizing her embarrassment. “What about your mom?” asked Anacrusis. “Um...I don’t want to talk about it.” Trey’s smile slanted a bit, as he got a sudden hunch what that meant. He quickly tried to change the subject, but Anacrusis got in the question Trey hoped he wouldn’t ask. “Why not? I’m sure she’s a nice mare!” “Um...” “Maybe another time.” said Trey, ending it. “It’s getting late. I’m sure your dad will want you back home before it gets dark.” “Oh.” she said, stalling. “...yes. I guess so.” “Don’t worry. We’ll walk you home.” he said, smiling at her. She tried to return the smile, only managing to give him half of one. Trey took note of this. “You don’t have to do that...” she added. “Oh, it’s no problem.” “Yeah!” said Anacrusis, smiling at her. “Besides, my dad should probably meet your dad.” “Oh...are you sure?” “Positive. It’s no trouble at all.” “Oh...ok then.” Trey, Anacrusis, and Chocolate Cherry trotted out the door towards Ponyville. “So, which way’s your house?” asked Trey. Chocolate Cherry trotted towards a house near the edge of town, a small, slightly run down house. Trey realized at once why she hesitant to have them take her home. Trey just kept smiling at her, letting her know that he didn’t judge her by it. She nuzzled Anacrusis before stepping back to go to the door. She halted, turning around to give him a kiss on the cheek, smiling at him. Anacrusis gave a bashful smile, lowering his head. Chocolate Cherry knocked on the door. Her dad, a dark grey pony with an equally grey mane, clamored to the door, slightly off balance. “Where have you been?” he asked her, an angry tone in his voice. “I told you I went to Anacrusis’ house.” she said softly, as if not to anger him. “No, you didn’t. Now get in the house.” Chocolate Cherry marched in, head hung low, looking back towards Anacrusis and Trey, who stood right outside the door, watching the scene unfold. “I won’t let her bother you again.” he said, looking over at Trey. “Oh, she wasn’t bothering us. I wanted her to-” began Anacrusis. “I wasn’t talking to you, Pipsqueak.” he said, interrupting him. Anger started boiling up inside Trey. “I was the one who invited her to come over.” Trey said sternly. “Whatever. I won’t let her bother you again.” he said, slamming the door. Trey stood there for a bit, shaking from the anger. “Dad?” “Let’s go, Anacrusis.” he said, trotting the other way. “Does that mean she’s not coming over again?” he asked, sadly. From the house, a soft, nearly muffled scream resounded, making Trey’s ears perk up. “Dad, what was that?” “She’ll be coming over again, son. Many, many times.” said Trey, avoiding the question. Anacrusis smiled, satisfied with that answer. Trey simply trotted forward, back towards the cottage. “What’s wrong, Dad?” “Nothing.” he said, trying to give him a smile. “Tell her to come home with you tomorrow, alright?” *** “Oh...my...that’s not good.” “No, it isn’t.” said Trey, pacing about the room. “I think I put it together though.” “Oh?” “Her mother’s dead. Because of it, her father started drinking. I believe he’s...” he started, cutting himself off. “He’s...?” ‘Beating her.’ he said in his mind. “Not good for her. I want to get her out of there.” “So just have her over as often as possible.” “That’s what I’m going to do. But...” he sighed, rubbing his face with his hoof. “...she needs to be out of there permanently. Or at least until her father clears up his act.” “Oh.” “Yeah. But I can’t just...take her. We can’t just adopt her. That would probably only make things worse. She’s a good filly, though.” “Well...why can’t we take her?” “I’d love to, don’t get me wrong. But we just met her. I at least need to know for sure she’s in danger before we make any big decisions.” “How can you tell?” Trey stopped at that thought. The color of Chocolate Cherry’s mane would make it really difficult to look for bruises. She most likely wouldn’t admit to it either. This matter would take time. But Trey felt that the longer time went on, the worse she would be. What would happen if it was too late? When would it be too late? “Treyngel?” “I...I don’t know.” Fluttershy reached out and hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. “Flutterheart?” “Yes, Treyngel?” “You know I love you, right?” “Of course! I love you, too.” “You know I’d never hurt you or the kids, right?” “Of course, Trey. Why would I think otherwise?” “I love you.” he said, thrusting himself upon her, kissing her. No longer would he take her for granted.