//------------------------------// // Words with the Priestess // Story: Cute Trouble // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// Pizzelle was nervous. That was obvious with how she was pacing back in forth in the kitchen. It didn’t happen that often. She was usually an upbeat mare. Nothing could ever really get her down or aggravate her. However, now that she had a child, well, she regretted letting Lightning take him. She trusted Lightning Dust, but that mare was reckless. So she did the only thing she could think of to get her mind off of it. Baking! It wasn’t a big shock to anyone that she loved to bake. Pizzelle’s family were a long line of bakers after all. Yet, baking had sort of become a stress reliever of sorts for Pizzelle. If she was angry, she’d bake. If she was nervous, she’d bake. She’d bake until the feeling went away. Which sometimes left her with a room filled with treats. Thankfully, it was just a cake this time. A large one, but just the one. Besides, Lightning would be home soon. It was then a lovely noise rang through the air. It was a slight ‘ding’. Pizzelle smiled. “Thank you, Fornax.” She thanked the goddess of baking breads and ovens, which was an odd thing to be a god over when you thought about it. Still, that didn’t really matter. Pizzelle opened the oven. Since her hooves were covered in finely knitted mitts, she wasn’t in danger of being burnt so she took the cake out with no trouble. Putting it on the counter, Pizzelle nodded in approval. “Oh look at you. All naked and new to the world. Now don’t you worry. I’ll have you spruced up so well that Celestia herself wouldn’t want to let you out of her sights.” Another sort of ringing met her ears, signalling somepony was at her door. “Now who could that be?” Pizzelle asked herself, trotting to the door. ‘Lightning wouldn’t return so early. I’m sure of it. Her adorable little friend, Cloudchaser, once told me that she trains for hours. Surely they would be gone for a while. I do so hope that she doesn’t try to train Hikaru. He’s much too young for that and I don’t want him getting hurt.’ Turning the knob, Pizzelle opened the door. She was met by none other than High Sun Priestess Bon Bon with Inquisitor Lyra in hoof. Blinking a few times in confusion, she smiled and bowed her head in respect. “It’s so lovely to see you dears again. Would you like to come in? I’ve just finished making this lovely cake. Oh I have to frost it, but it should be ready in no time.” “Cake?” Lyra grinned, hopping up and down. “Can we, Bon Bon? Can we? Can we?” “Later, Lyra.” Bon Bon rolled her eyes. Before either of them could continue this train of thought, a yellow fox sped right past them to Pizzelle. “Miss Pizzelle, Miss Pizzelle,” Hikaru happily chirped. “Today was awesome! Miss Lightning took me hunting and I met this funny rabbit.” “That’s nice, Hikaru.” Pizzelle smiled, giving out a small sigh of relief. ‘Well, it seems my fears were unfounded.’ “And then I got attacked by a cragadile!” Hikaru chirped ever so happily. ‘And then they’re confirmed!’ Pizzelle’s smile fell away and her eyes widened. “YOU WHAT?!!” She quickly pulled him into a hug. “You poor thing.” She pulled him back in her hooves and looked him over. “You’re not hurt, are you? Oh, I’ve seen a few animal attacks in my time. My Uncle Salad Fork was ever so hurt when a bear took a swing at him, the poor dear. Took him weeks to recover...It didn’t swing at you, did it? I don’t see anything, but-” “Pizzelle,” Bon Bon interrupted. “He’s fine. I checked him myself. He was at no point injured in the attack. The beast itself has since been released back into the Everfree Forest. We will be putting up fresh wards around Whitetail Woods to make sure this never happens again.” “Oh thank Celestia,” Pizzelle let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. Which was saying something, since she honestly never let herself shut up for long. She didn’t say anything further. She just held Pizzelle a little tighter. “Yes,” Bon Bon nodded. “She was with us today, but I’m afraid we need to talk. Now.” The way she said it left no room for argument, which wasn’t really needed. You never argued with the ponies blessed by Celestia herself. Those who spread her sacred word were ones to take heed from. Pizzelle gulped. “Well…” She glanced at Hikaru. “Lyra, would you be a dear and play with Hikaru for a bit?” “No sweat,” Lyra hopped inside. “I’m great with kids.” “It’s pretty much one of the few things she’s ‘great’ in,” Bon Bon snarked. Lyra glared at her whilst she nudged Hikaru along. “Well, for a priestess, you are certainly rude.” Pizzelle scoffed, before widening her eyes. “Oh dear, I said that out loud. Please do forgive me, priestess. I meant no offense. Sometimes my mouth starts running before I really think about what to say. It’s a dreadful habit. Simply dreadful. It’s a family habit, you see.” “Yes I do see,” Bon Bon said. “And Lyra knows I don’t really mean anything by it. I’m just a little agitated with her since she kept me up last night listening to ‘rock’.” Bon Bon rubbed her head. “I thought a little time in the park would do me some good, but low and behold this happens. I’ll be sure to buy Lyra a new squeaky toy. She loves those.” Pizzelle smiled. “Well it’s nice to hear that, sugar. I’d hate to hear such good friends part ways on bad terms. Why, I don’t think I could handle it. I mean, you’ve been together for so long-” Bon Bon held up a hoof to stop her. “I already know my own history, thank you very much. I’d much rather talk about today’s events. Perhaps in the main room?” “Of course,” Pizzelle bowed her head as Bon Bon walked on by. Closing the door behind her, Pizzelle followed her into the living room. “Would you like something?” “No need,” Bon Bon sat down on one of the couches. “I won’t be here for very long.” A loud crash could be heard from the other room. “I didn’t do it!” Lyra’s voice called out. “It was ghosts!” Bon Bon sighed. “I care for Lyra, more so than anypony I know. Yet, she drives me up a wall sometimes.” She turned her attention back to Pizzelle. “I want to know why I found Hikaru in Lightning Dust’s care, or lack thereof.” Pizzelle gulped, taking her own seat. “Well, she offered to take him hunting. I’ve never been good at it, honestly. I don’t really even eat meat. I spent more time with my Earth pony mother, so I’ve kind of grown a little squeamish about eating meat. Nothing against my father, Celestia bless his soul.” “And do you know Lightning Dust personally?” “Well...no. I never did spend time with the dear until the whole Nightmare Moon fiasco. She seems like a nice enough mare, though a tad headstrong.” “So you entrusted a mare you have really only met a day ago with the care of your child?” Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. “It does sounds bad when you put it that way,” Pizzelle rubbed her foreleg nervously. “But I’ve heard so many good things about her and she is the Element of Loyalty.” “Her loyalty is not being questioned,” Bon Bon said. “I know she would never hurt Hikaru, but she neglected to keep an eye on him. Had it not been for Lyra, Hikaru would be dead.” Pizzelle’s eyes widened. ‘I am never letting Lightning babysit again.’ “Do not take it out on Lightning.” Bon Bon stated. “She did not know about the cragadile, nor would anypony. It’s just that you were willing to give a child to, what I can tell, a sort of stranger to yourself that concerns me.” “I trust Lightning with my life,” Pizzelle huffed. Which was true to an extent. “I know you do,” Bon Bon said. “But you don’t know her well enough to trust her with safeguarding a child. She is not ready and I’m beginning to think you aren’t either.” “What is that supposed to mean?” Pizzelle started to panic. This train of thought certainly wasn’t going someplace she was comfortable with. “I meant exactly what I said,” Bon Bon narrowed her eyes. “In only a day Hikaru has nearly lost his life.” “I had no-” “It does not matter if  you had no idea,” Bon Bon cut her off. “You left a child in the care of a irresponsible stranger which nearly resulted in his death!” “Lightning Dust is responsible and she is no stranger to me,” Pizzelle snarled. “I’ve already told you this.” “Yes, but I fear you might make the same mistake again.” Bon Bon sighed. “I am not the bad pony here, Pizzelle. I don’t want to be, but I care about these children. I love them as my own and the last thing I want to see is them hurt. I will do anything to protect them and if that means barring you from this child or any other….I will.” Pizzelle’s breath caught in her throat. She honestly was speechless. That rarely ever happened, but the sheer dread that hit her was unbearable. “However, I am probably overreacting.” Bon Bon stated. “This is your first day and we have several more to go on. You’re a nice pony and I do so hope this works out. I really do, but I will be keeping a closer eye on you from now on.” Bon Bon stood up. “Lyra!” Lyra came in, bucking like a bronco. Hikaru was clinging to her, laughing up a storm. Bon Bon smiled. “Lyra, it’s time to go.” Lyra stopped her movements and pouted with Hikaru. “DoI have to?” “I’m afraid so,” Bon Bon trotted outside, with Lyra in hoof. “Bye Miss Lyra,” Hikaru waved. “By Priestess.” “Bye,” the two of them said before closing the door behind them. “Miss Pizzelle, Miss Lyra was so fun…...Are you okay, Miss Pizzelle.” Hikaru frowned. “I’m...I’m fine.” Pizzelle choked out. ‘It’s nothing, Hikaru. I could just lose you forever. No big deal….Keep it together, Pizzelle!’ She did her best to calm herself, but she sunk deeper into the couch. ‘I can’t lose him now….I want to be a mother. WHY?!! Why can’t it be easy, just once!’ Hikaru jumped up and nuzzled her. This brought her a tad bit of comfort. In return, she pulled him into an embrace, cuddling his soft body against hers. “Please don’t cry. I’m sorry.” He licked away a few tears she didn’t know were running down her cheeks. Pizzelle was a tad bit surprised to find herself crying, but she smiled. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m just glad you’re okay.” The two of them stayed like that for a bit, with Pizzelle softly nuzzling him. “Miss Pizzelle?” Hikaru spoke up, breaking the silence. “Would you like to play a game? Games always make me happy, so maybe they’ll make you happy too.” “I’d love that,” Pizzelle smiled. “That’s very considerate of you, Hikaru. Very considerate. Now, let’s go and pick one.” It turned out the game Hikaru wanted to play ‘String Figures’. A common game over in Japox. It was honestly simple for them, since they had little digits. Pizzelle was just thankful she could manipulate it well enough with her wings. The two of them worked on a piece together. A special warmth filled her chest as she gazed upon his smiling little face. He was so adorable, especially when he scrunched it up in concentration. “There,” Pizzelle said as they finished. “I think we did it and might I say, I think you have a talent for the arts.” That was an over exaggeration. The string figure looked like a mess, but they had fun making it, so the thought was what counted. “Thank you, Miss Pizzelle.” Hikaru beamed up at her. “I had a lot of fun making it with you.” “And I you,” Pizzelle gently nuzzled his head. “Now since you’ve been a good little boy, would you mind helping me finish up a cake?” “Cake?” Hikaru gasped. “We’re having cake for dinner?” Pizzelle giggled at how he was bouncing up and down. “After the day you’ve had, you earned it.” The two of them went to the kitchen, with Hikaru zooming on ahead as any child would who loved sweets. The pan would’ve cooled off by now, but she was going to set an example. Either way, it was better safe than sorry. So she put on her hoof mitts and put the cake onto the table. Taking out a few other items and icing, she placed them on the table. “What flavor of icing would you like?” “Strawberry!” Hikaru hopped into a seat so he could get a better view of the cake. “Strawberry it is,” Pizzelle giggled. Taking out a plastic spreading knife, she took a swipe of icing and put it on the cake. “Hikaru, would you like to help me ice the cake?” “Yes,” Hikaru nodded and gladly took a plastic knife from her. The two of them went to work, with Hikaru being a tad bit too hyper. His side looked like a bit of a mess and he accidentally flung pieces of icing into Pizzelle’s coat or the table. They weren’t that much and it was icing so Pizzelle didn’t worry about it. “Finished,” Pizzelle smiled. She nuzzled his head. “You did an excellent job and for that, you get first piece.” “Yes,” Hikaru smiled. As she cut him a piece, Pizzelle couldn’t help but think about the meeting earlier. She needed to find ways, safe ones, for Hikaru to have fun. Maybe make some friends. An idea then struck her. There was an excellent place of that and the semester began the next day. With everything going on, school had been set back a week to that day. A happy coincidence for her. Yes, school would be an excellent place to have Hikaru go off to. He’d make a bunch of friends there.