Mercury gazed in awe at the feast his sister had brought upon his eyes. He had never seen so much food on one table in his life, save for his fourth birthday, many years ago. A small smile teased at the corners of his mouth as he dragged his sister into a hug. “Thanks, squirt.” He began to run his hoof through her near-perfect mane, throwing about the delicate strands of hair until they were just as unruly as his.
After a few minutes of eating, the two sighed in sure bliss, taking their empty plates to the sink before rinsing them and retiring to the living room. Mercury took his leave to the couch, feeling the tight springs in the cushions conform to his equine shape. A moment or two later, he felt a little shuffle near his hind legs, only to see his sister crawling onto the couch to join him.
“So, what are we gonna do today, Mercury?” She inched her way higher on his body, soon nuzzling into his neck. “Are we free to do whatever today?” A sigh escaped his lips as he pondered the thought. Would a day off from The Boss be so harmful? Nothing bad would happen, right?
“Quik, hand me the phone. I need to make a call.”
“Yes-”
“Yes sir, I understand.”
“No, I promise. Nothing will be said.”
“Alright sir. Have a good day.”
Mercury set the phone back on the receiver, looking down at his younger sibling. “Quik?” He took a step towards her before tackling her small frame in a crushing hug, his deep giggling filling her ears. “We’re free for the weekend!” A bright smile crossed her face. They’ve not had a weekend to themselves since Hearth’s Warming of last year.
The two dressed quickly, throwing on scarves and caps. Today was a chilly one, but not too chilly so as to deter the two. After being clothed, the two took off into the crisp Trottingham afternoon. The young filly hopped around alongside her elder, smiling with glee as the two set off towards the town square, a place of festivities and joy.
“Mercury!” His sister shouted from up ahead, “What are we gonna do first? Go on the slides? The swingset?”
Mercury’s ears perked up. He had been lost deep in thought, thinking about what to do with his sister. He looked up at her, then took a quick look around at the square. “How about the swings? I’ll push you.” He walked with her to the old swingset, plopping her onto one of the swings as he went ‘round and began to push her, sending her small frame higher and higher into the air.
Her squeals of delight tugged at Mercury’s heart, making him smile brighter than he had in a long time. After a time, she asked him to push his hardest. She swung up high, and launched herself from the seat, flapping her wings to slow her descent to the ground. As she set her hooves firmly onto the the ground, she glanced over her shoulder to look at her brother’s stunned face.
Quik had never done anything like that before. The closest she had gotten was straining her wings until she was mere centimeters from the ground. With a smirk and a swish of her tail, she lifted herself from the ground yet again, floating towards her elder. “How was that, Mercury? Did I look cool or what?” There was no response from her astonished brother, aside from a blank stare with his mouth agape.
“I’ve been practicing, y’know..” The young filly dropped to the ground and sat, fiddling with her long hair. “For you. Because, y’know, you’ve been wanting to help me learn..” Mercury swooped in and squeezed her tightly, giggling in utter joy.
“You did it, Quik! You did it! You can finally fly!” He nuzzled the filly affectionately, soon blushing as he caught the stares of the many other ponies in the square. He set her down with an embarrassed look on his face, patting her head awkwardly.
“Maybe we should go home so you can show me your flying a little more?” the little filly nodded in agreement, lifting herself off the ground and into the air. She gestured for her brother, whom followed her home giddily.
Quik buzzed around the house, using her wings to their very fullest as she zoomed up and down the hallways of the condo. Every now and then, she lost control and bumped into something, such as a pot or a wall, but would get back up and into the air.
All the while, Mercury watched his sister. She soon wore herself out, though, and joined her brother on his usual spot on the couch. With a long, drawn out sigh, the two cuddled together and fell asleep.
“Wait! Mum!” the white coloured colt reached out to the taxi with a hoof, watching it pull away from him and the small bundle next to him. He heard the muffled cries from inside the blankets, so he peeked inside. “I- It’s okay, Quik. It’s gonna be alright.” He cooed to the young foal, nuzzling her with all the gentleness and love that a sibling should have. “Mummy and Daddy are gonna be right back, you’ll see…”
The colt sat in the rain, staring down the foggy country road. He held the foal tightky to him, doing his best to keep her warm. “Mummy and Daddy promised.. They said they’d be back in a few minutes..” Smiling weakly, he planted a kiss on her forehead. “They’ll be right back..”
Mercury awoke with a start. The darkness enveloped the immediate area around him, and left him blind for a few moment. His heart was thumping in his chest as he reached over and lit a candle, illuminating him and the small grey pony residing on his chest. “Thank Celestia you’re okay…” The stallion nuzzled the younger pony as she slept, tears threatening to fall down his cheeks as sleep took him once again.