//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Flying in the Wrong Lane // by soothsayer //------------------------------// Stretching I found that I was actually alone in my bed this morning. I tried not to stretch to far because my muscles were still tight from my work out with Snowball. Yawning, I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom. After my morning whiz I stumbled into the kitchen to fix some coffee. Like Rumble I wasn't really a morning pony, but after a couple of cups of coffee I could do just about anything. The clock on my stove read seven-seventeen. Yawning again I poured a cup of coffee. The inky blackness's aroma flowed over my nose as I took a sip. I was just about to melt into a world of caffeine bliss when I heard a creak come from some where near my front door. Laying on the floor just inches from the door was light blue envelop. Any other day I would have dismissed the letter as a delivery from Ditzy. Today was Sunday and the mail didn't run on Sunday. Waltzing over to the door I scooped the letter up and then I opened the door. Looking outside I saw there weren't too many ponies on the streets. I spotted Dizzy Twister across the way. She must have noticed me because she lifted her hoof and waved at me with a big smile on her lips. Returning the wave I headed back inside. Sitting on the couch I eyed the letter suspiciously. Burning with curiosity I ripped it open and unfolded the contents. I could feel my eye twitch as I came to the conclusion that it was a love letter. My mind flashed back to my conversation with Blossomforth the day before and begrudgingly I began to read the letter, My dearest Thunderlane, You are so delightfully cruel, my love. Stealing from me the opportunity to gaze upon your waking eyes. Oh, how I wanted to kiss you and breathe into your lungs my first breath. Doth thou find leaving me cold and aching, waiting like the fallow grounds of winter for the spring thaw, a pleasure. For you my love I would wait till judgment day. I would suffer a thousand deaths or a thousand years upon the lovely moon. I bask in the radiance of your smile and I burn in your kindness. Please! I beg of you, do not make me wait. Don't make me suffer this intolerable hollow that stands agape in place of my heart. Fill me with your love and make me yours. Let our souls eternally dance arm in arm, cheek against cheek. I await your tender lips that you so gently placed against mine in my dreams. Eternally yours, The pony who waits. The letter was eloquent and its tone alluring. I wished it was hoof written but alas it was not. Somepony had taken the time to cut out each individual letter from other works, more than likely from magazines, and pasted them on the page. Like I wouldn't know who wrote it. It was a good effort on her part but the letter screamed, Blossom. I promised myself that after services I would go and find her and let her know that I couldn't date her and Rarity. It was going to be a hard thing to do but it had to be done. "What's for breakfast?" asked Rumble with a yawn. Folding the letter up I turned to greet my still sleepy brother. His front hooves were stretched out in front of him and he had his back arched looking like a big cat. "How does oatmeal sound?" I asked. Raising an eye brow he said flatly, "Are you crazy?" Rumble stood there admiring himself in the mirror. He was wearing a charcoal black blazer, and a collared purple dress shirt with matching tie. He looked uncomfortable. I watched him roll his shoulders as the tried to get comfortable but ultimately he gave up with a sigh. It wouldn't be to much longer before he had to have new service duds. "Your still a growing stallion!" I mused. Looking up at me he let out a groan, "Why do we have to dress up to go to services? Why can't I just go plain?" Slipping my tie snugly against my throat I gave him a disgruntled look, "You only have to get dressed up one day a week. You can survive a couple of hours of being uncomfortable." Stomping his foot he turned back to the full length mirror. Looking up from him to the mirror I looked myself over. My blazer was the same color as his but instead of a purple undershirt I was wearing a light blue-green shirt with a silver tie. Rumbles clothes matched his mane and eyes. Mine matched my coat and mane. I tried once to match an article of clothing with my eyes but I gave up trying. Amber just looked so tacky. It made me look like one of those dance crazed stallions that frequented establishments like, Disco's Discount Dance Club. Don't get me wrong I love to dance but I don't want to put the disco ball to shame. Looking over my wings I noticed that in putting on my clothes a few feathers had wiggled out of place. A few quick adjustments and my wings were perfect. I gazed down at Rumble to see him lick his hoof and then run it over his mane, giving it a more laid back look. "You look almost perfect," I said with a cocky grin. He smiled back but then as he realized what I was saying he frowned and then tried to get away. "Oh, no you don't!" I half shouted as I grabbed hold of him and pulled him back towards me. He tried in vane to get away. But he wasn't about to get away from the preening extraordinaire, Lane. With a grunt he gave up. Dropping his shoulders he started to sulk. Gently I pressed my hoof at the base of his wings and they immediately fanned out as the nerves sent an involuntary signal out commanding them to open. Taking the wing closest first I began to straighten up his feathers. It took them between my lips and gently layered them to give his wing a smooth look. My hot breath washed over the delicate skin underneath and I watched his shoulders rise back up in relaxation. I don't know why he runs away because every time I do this he becomes so relaxed and sometimes it even makes him droopy eyed. Moving to the next wing I noted the silly expression he was making. His eyes were indeed droopy and his tongue hung out of the corner of his mouth. He loved it, he just like playing hard to get. As I finished I wrapped in a big hug. He allowed me to hold him in my hooves for just a minuet before he let out a complaint, "All right! All right, that's enough being mushy." I let one arm fall away and then I gave him a noogie, messing up his mane. He squirmed and tried to wiggle free but just like trying to run away it was in vain. I dropped him to his rump and then walked away leaving him a bright red. We walked over the fire place and looked over the our little families shrine that sat atop the mantle piece. We had pictures of mom, dad, and Grandma Silverwing. We also had little brass and silver figurines of the royal sisters. They weren't very ornate just the forms of two alicorn mares, one with a stylized sun above her head and the other with the triple moon above hers. I lifted Rumble up and let him light the two candles that sat up there with the altar pieces. After that the two of us sat back down and bowed our heads. I glanced over toward Rumble, "Do you want to lead us in prayer?" He shot me a huge grin and said, "Really? You never let me lead the prayer." I nodded, yes. And then he began. "Honored Spirits of the land, sea, and sky. Our blessed sun and sanctified moon. Watch over and protect us. Guide our lives and help us seek harmony. Princesses Celestia and Luna, children of the first spirits and guardians of the faith watch over us and lead our great nation into times of peace and prosperity. Ancestor spirits we give praise to thee! Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed and we shall ever hold vigil. We swear to pass on the way of harmony onto our foals and our foals, foals until time in memoriam." he trialed off. We sat there heads bowed for a few quite moments before he added an impromptu prayer of his own, "Please watch over me and my brother Thunderlane. Bless my friends and their families. I thank you for giving me such good friends. Thank you for such nice teachers and other nice grownups like Flitter, Cloudchaser, Cloudkicker, Blossomforth, and Snowflake. Thank you Rainbow Dash for getting my big brother a good job." I cringed at the mention of Dash. She was a great boss and even before she got the position she was responsible for helping me get on. But she was a hardflank to work with sometimes. "I hope that mom, dad, and grandma are doing well and that you spirits are keeping them happy, ahmare! He looked up to me with hopeful eyes. I didn't really smile but I could feel that my eyes were, "I couldn't have said it better, squirt." After that we headed out for the public services that were held at the large Shrine out in the White Tail Woods. And I briefly wondered who was going to be our prayer leader today and what they were going to offer. The week before it was Lyra Heartstrings. And she had lead us in a hymn to the spirits. She always added a bit of humor to the otherwise dull monotony of the usually drab event. The prayer leader was always chosen at random, but no pony had to do it if they didn't want too. I just hoped that it wasn't me.