//------------------------------//
// His Heavenly Conquest 
// Story: Them Crazy Northerners 
// by Weavers of Dreams 
//------------------------------//

Who knew that there could be a double checklist for the double checklist of the triple checklist. How did that even make sense? But at least it was out of the way and she could now go home to be with her family. An hour later than normal, and she had tried so hard to get done an hour early. The stop with Twilight and Applejack, though appreciated, really messed with her schedule.
Inside, she was met with the aroma of Amethyst's cooking. It was an agreement they had, if Derpy was ever running late, Amethyst was to cook dinner. Derpy remembered with fondness and horror the first time, after which she taught her daughter how to cook. She was still confused as to how somepony could burn water. Amethyst just didn't know what went wrong.
Still no master chef, Amethyst was quietly stirring the... pasta? All the while humming to herself. Her eyes were practically welded to the pan, watching carefully for any signs of burning or smoke. Close by was a pitcher of water to douse any flames, and filled with ice to help keep it from mysteriously burning.
Derpy immediately went to her room to wash up and hang her uniform. Not seeing Dinky or their guest along the way. They were probably in the living room. But she went and looked for them anyway after she was done cleaning up.
They were, as he had thought, in the living room. Dinky was playing with a couple small dolls, and Conquest was reading large book with a small wooden sword (from the supplies the regency sent over) laying close enough to grab with his mouth. He was still as expressionless and void of emotion as the previous evening. But Mrs. Doo, caring mother and knower of ponies because she knew the kind of mail they received, knew better than to believe this façade.
She gave Dinky an enthusiastic greeting, kissing her forehead and ruffling her mane fondly. "You have a good day, muffin?"
"Yes, mommy," Dinky said with a smile, gripping her leg in a hug.
"And how has our guest been?" Derpy asked, indicating Conquest with a tilt of her head.
Dinky's smile faded and she rolled her eyes. "He's done nothing but play with that sword and read books."
"Boys love swords," Derpy laughed, giving her another kiss. "And what's wrong with reading books?"
"There not even good books," Dinky said while pointing.
Derpy squinted her eyes and took a closer look. That wasn't a book foals usually read. It was no.7 of her Encyclopedia Celestia. Close by were the other six volumes, and there were still thirteen more to read. He was also close to finishing his current volume. The more exciting and acclaimed novels and comic books were untouched. She had met intuitive foals before, but not at this level.
Giving her small daughter another pat on the head, she made her way over to the colt and cleared her throat before speaking.
"Conquest, could you listen to me for a moment?" Derpy asked in a soft tone. He didn't seem to respond, but all he needed was patience. "Please nod if your listening."
Conquest nodded slowly, still reading his book.
Derpy smiled and sat down beside him, calm and not making any fast moves that might make him nervous. "I just want to know how your day was. Are you feeling well?"
"Your house smells better than hospital," he said flatly, not taking his eyes off the book.
"Thank you," Derpy chuckled, happy for the compliment. "Are you feeling well?"
Conquest managed to wiggle his stubs a bit, causing Derpy to grimace. Other than that, he didn't answer.
"Are you... balancing better today?"
Conquest didn't answer for a moment, then just nodded.
"Do you need any lotion for your scars?" Derpy asked with some concern.
An expression appeared on the colt's face, one of conflict, as though he was unsure of what to say. Then he settled on shaking his head.
"They itch, don't they?" Derpy more stated than asked. She knew he was merely trying not to be a bother. He didn't seem to accept the fact that she was here to help. "We don't want you uncomfortable, we're here to help. It won't be any bother at all."
There was another long pause, then, with some nervousness, he nodded. "O...o...okay."
Derpy softly smiled and got up to retrieve the lotion. Upon returning, she spotted Dinky heading for the kitchen and Conquest was closer to the end of his book. She squeezed some of the purplish, soothing lotion onto her right hoof she spoke to him softly. "Now, I'm just going to rub this onto the scars, no need to panic, I'll be as fast as possible."
Conquest closed his eyes and pushed the book away. He took deep breath when he felt the cold gel being spread over his scars, closing his eyes tightly, trying think of something else. Admittedly, it felt good, but the texture repulsed him.
Derpy ran her hoof over both his stubs as gently as she could, making sure to rub it in. Then she moved to the wings. They almost made her shudder, but she suppressed the urge so as not to scare him. There were a couple slight bumps where the bones and connecting tendons had been surgically removed, and then had healed over as small lumps you would only notice if you touched them. She put extra care to those scars, knowing it must pain the colt terribly to lose his wings.
When she was done, she gave him a light pat on his head, which his expression told her that he did not enjoy. Derpy sighed wearily and slid the book back into his hoof for him and got up to walk away.
"Th... thank you."
The colt was so quiet that Derpy almost didn't hear him. "You're very welcome, Conquest," she said with a jovial smile.
"Dinner's ready," Amethyst called out from the kitchen.
Derpy turned back and stood by the colt's side. "Do you need help to the table?"
Conquest didn't answer, but instead tried to push himself up, managing a few inches before collapsing.
"Maybe you just need a little help," Derpy said, gently placing a hoof under his left side and easing him up. He seemed upset about it, but didn't refuse the help. Derpy let go, but kept her hoof outstretched to catch him if he fell. And sure enough he did. But she caught him.
It took a while before they reached the table, Derpy walking beside Conquest to catch him when he fell. Then she helped him onto the box and took her own seat. She stared down in confusion at what appeared to be a casserole when just a little while ago it looked like pasta; when she took a bite, she found it tasted like chili. At least Amethyst knew how to make PB&J.
there was silence for as while, then Dinky asked a question.
"Conquest, how did you get your cutie mark?"
Amethyst and Derpy stopped eating for a moment and watched as the colt gently laid his fork and looked at his hoof in embarrassment. "Born with it."
Derpy chuckled. "Silly, no pony is just born with a cutie mark."
"Birth certificate said so," the colt interjected, clearly uncomfortable with even that small disagreement.
Derpy was silent for a moment, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Could that be possible to be born with a cutie mark? Wouldn't that be confusing since you could only guess what your special talent was?
"Who's Birth Certificate?" Dinky asked, puzzled by such an odd sounding name.
Amethyst burst out laughing. Derpy laughed too, and gave Dinky a little hug.
"A birth certificate, Dinky," she explained, "is a piece of paper that tells all about you when your born. It's not a name. Well, maybe somewhere else outside my mail route."
Dinky was clearly embarrassed, covering her face with her little hooves. Conquest was even heard to give a couple chuckles. Though he quickly became quiet and turned back to eating. But Dinky wasn't finished just yet.
"So, what's your special talent?"
Conquest sighed and put his fork down yet again. he gave a mental prayer for it all to be over soon so he could eat. He grabbed his napkin and began, awkwardly, folding it. The Doos all watched curiously unsure what he was doing. Soon enough he was done and held it up in his hoof. The Doos all made sounds of amusement.
It looked just like a butterfly. Save for the colors. But that wasn't all. With a quick flick of his wrist he threw it.
Derpy, thinking he was upset and throwing it away, dove to catch it. She wound up on the floor with nothing in her hooves. Cries of amazement made her look up. She gasped herself at the sight.
The paper butterfly was flying, or gliding. Derpy preferred "falling with style". It was incredible. Like a kite, except there was no wind indoors, and it moved rather than hung in the air. it made a circle around the table and landed back in Conquest's hoof. He had a broad smile on his face. Derpy's heart lifted with that first look of happiness on the colt's face. Then she braced herself for what she knew would come next.
"I make things fly," Conquest said proudly. "Made and colored many for mother all... the... time... w-when..."
Derpy was quickly at his side, pulling him close to her chest as he began to burst into retching tears. It had begun. This would be no piece of muffin.