//------------------------------//
// Absentia 
// Story: Pawprints and hourglasses 
// by RustyKat 
//------------------------------//

Rhinestone paced and paced, lost in his own thoughts. The only sound was the soft clip-clop of his hooves, and the eerie ticking of the clock on the wall. He did not know how much time had passed, but he saw Dr. Stable come into the lobby.

"Rhinestone?" he said casually, as he adjusted his glasses. "You can see Crystal now."

Rhinestone followed Dr. Stable into the hospital room, where Crystal held a brand new pup in her paws. The little pup slept on, bundled tight in a blanket. He noticed she was a Pegasus, just like him.... but further look showed little scales down the midsection of her little body, and dark blue scales run down her tiny back. Her mane was a watermelon soft pink, rimmed with red. 

"Oh, how precious you are, my little Rusty." purred Crystal gently.

"She sure is." said Rhinestone gently, as he nuzzled Crystal. "Just like you."

A light purple ponywolf stepped into the lobby. Her mane was a prismic rainbow, and her tail a robotic coil. Both front paws were entirely made of metal, the claws making a Scritch-scratch as they traveled across the smooth floor. He deep set yellow and red eyes, along with a single fresh scar only made her look more creepy. As she sat down, Dr. Pyro flinched in surprise. 

That mare scares me.....

As she caught Dr. Pyro's gaze, she gave a dark smile, exposing her long wolf fangs. She watched as Dr. Pyro shuddered.

"Rhinestone...... your Daughter's in the lobby..." he said nervously, as he took a step back away from Absentia. Get her away from me......

Rhinestone walked into the lobby.


"Oh, hi Absentia. Little Rusty was born today." He said, unable to mask his joy. "I hope she takes after Crystal."

"Figures.... What am I, a failure in your eyes?" she said coldly. Her robotic tail twitched in annoyance.

"What!? No... you're special too.... " said Rhinestone quickly. You... you just scare everyone..."

At his response, Absentia gave an amused chuckle. "You got to admit, I am petty good at that."
She watched as Rhinestone's ears flattened.

I wish you weren't.... Rhinestone thought. "Do you want to see your new little sister?"

"I suppose." said Absentia, as she rolled her eyes, and followed Rhinestone into the room.

"Oh, hi sweetie." greeted Crystal, ears flattened. "This is Rusty."
Absentia stared for what seemed ages at the little pup.

"I see... a great long troubled future ahead of her." said Absentia finally. For some reason, I just know..... bad luck seems to strike this family more than once.

"Don't say that Absentia. She may be great someday." scolded Rhinestone, as he gave an annoyed flick of his tail.

All went silent as Rusty gave a yawn, and blinked, showing off her two different colored eyes. The left one a bright blue, the right a bright red. Rhinestone gave a chuckle.

"I guess she has both our eyes, eh?"

"It makes her unique." said Crystal simply. "Very unique indeed."