//------------------------------// // A Renewed Morning // Story: Cutie Mark Wishes // by Silver Letter //------------------------------// Where Ribbon Wishes had gone, she woke to the same mornings and sunrises as she had always seen before. At least it would appear so. The sunlight streaming through the curtains was the same that greeted her in her old bed and made her get up even when she dreaded the long walk to town. For days, she thought the mere arrival of the dawn would be followed by the clop of hooves outside her door. Her sisters getting ready by taking baths before she did. After twenty minutes, she still braced herself for that reminder knock to get up even though she had never failed to wake on her own. When it didn’t come, she would slowly sit up and look around her as if the absence of sound was a more profound change than the dimly lit guest room she slept in at the castle. Ribbon eventually got up as she normally did and reached the large window across the room. She opened the curtains and let the morning light flood in. When she unlatched the window itself and swung them out, she still felt dizzy when she looked down. She was high up in one of the towers. She could look outward and see the horizon stretch out to the mountains and watch songbirds fly from the perch outside her window. Each time it was opened, a cool breeze would blow in and over Ribbon’s body. It felt as though being cleaned, especially on her flanks. Her fake cutie marks were no more. She asked Twilight to use her magic to get rid of them once and for all. She may have been used to walking around without clothes but ever since then, she’s truly felt naked. Ribbon smiled at the beauty of the morning and went to her personal washroom. She bathed in a copper tub. They had lots of bubble bath for her to use. She spent extra time floating around and blowing bubbles. She hadn’t done that in a long time. Playing in the tub and without a cutie mark. It was like she was 12 again only that time, she didn’t think about that crystal ball anymore. Twilight took it from her hooves. Since the shards didn’t fit together, Ribbon assumed it was going to be discarded. She didn’t really care and wasn’t about to start missing it. After playtime, she got out of the tub. Her stomach was cramping so she decided to leave her room. Since her cutie mark was gone, she wore a dress anytime she went out. She wasn’t going to get any unwanted attention if she could help it. Twilight had a friend donate the dresses to her. They were the kind her family couldn’t normally afford so it made Ribbon feel a bit weird putting them on. But the appeal of silk was lovely to spin in and with all the accessories, she couldn’t help but want to strut around like one of those fashionistas. In her dress, Ribbon went down the hall towards the main entrance of the castle. It was sort of silly how a few weeks ago, she barely wanted to leave. She tried to fill as much of her time going around dusting bookshelves and making some use of herself around the castle. It must have annoyed Twilight since she had to nearly shove her out the door. But the truth was that Ribbon didn’t know what to do now that she didn’t have to do chores. In fact, life in general wasn’t easy anymore. Twilight told her that she was just not used to making those kind of decisions. Like what she wanted to do that day. It was hard to believe how her sisters used to have so much say over every little thing. But Ribbon had started making them. She didn’t want to rely on some royal servants. Getting her own food was one family tradition she didn’t want to lose that easily. She thought about it and a nearby café sounded good. She’s gone to it a few times lately and their coffee was simply wonderful every time. Twilight ordered a festival to be held a couple weeks ago with floats, parades, and what not. It was a lot of fun and along with the spring rodeos, Ribbon knew that it all helped to turn that Wishes scandal into nothing more than a faded memory. She didn’t get any looks anymore and the newspapers stopped caring. The town ponies were as respectful to her as they had always been. As she walked down the street, she waved towards Flower Wishes. The mare waved back. Her maiden name was Lily but she married into the family through a cousin. They didn’t have to worry about anything to do with fortune telling. Before she arrived, she caught a glimpse of her sisters some distance away. It was still early in the morning and Ribbon could tell that they were about to set up shop. Every morning, a tinge of guilt tugged at her heart. They had to make do without somepony passing out flyers like she used to. But Ribbon was certain that they were more than capable to do that themselves. She looked at them, half hoping and half worried that they would turn and notice her. It’s because she still loved them and would have run to them one of those days if she hadn’t known how bad an idea that was. Twilight didn’t have to remind her that it wasn’t yet time. She thought that fact wasn’t lost on Crystal. A few times she would be out getting groceries or looking at clothes when she would feel a cool touch on her neck as if she was being watched. She would turn and look around, only to recognize nopony. The café sold all manner of good stuff. Ribbon came to like their muffins that crumbled in her hoof and espressos too. Ribbon was walking around, browsing casually, when she heard a pleasant gasp from behind. She turned to notice who it was, and saw Ms. Cheerilee looking rather lively. When she approached, they ended up hugging and laughing like old friends. “Wow, Ribbon. I haven’t seen you in a while. I heard a rumor that you moved away,” Cheerilee said. “That’s actually not the case, Cheerilee. I’ve even moved into town if you will believe that.” Ribbon saw a very elegant looking emerald necklace around the teacher’s neck. She grinned. “Oh, is that what I think it is?” Cheerilee realized that she saw her engagement gift. “Yes, yes, it is,” she said. “I still wanted to thank you for what you did. I was so unsure about whether our relationship was even going to work but going to you made all the difference.” Ribbon didn’t feel like revealing to Cheerilee about everything so she just patted the mare’s shoulder. That wouldn’t really be a lie. “I’m just glad that I could help. It means a lot to hear that from you.” Cheerilee nodded. “I’m just here to get something to eat before work this morning. If you’re free later then I would love it if you came and visited my house. I bet Big Mac would be happy to see you.” “Perhaps. I wasn’t really planning on going anywhere but what’s the occasion?” Cheerilee came closer as if trying to avoid others overhearing. “I was actually thinking of asking for a favor,” she whispered. Cheerilee was tense as if she had tried to practice what she was saying for some time but could only half remember it when she tried to speak it. “I know you’re not fortune telling anymore but we would be beyond grateful if you would think about speaking to us about the future again.” Suddenly, Ribbon regretted not telling her the truth. The mare looked so expectant that the reason had to be of some consequence like last time. “I’m not sure…I’ve retired,” Ribbon mumbled. Even if it was important, Cheerilee was smart enough not to push it. “I understand. I just would like you to think about it. You don’t even have to worry. It’s not something that has to be done today or tomorrow or even this month. You can just come by anytime you feel like it. I want you to know that I miss your voice. You’ve always known exactly what to say.” They said goodbye and she went and got her things before going to work. Ribbon couldn’t help but be a bit shaken by what happened. It was just one way that her past was still hidden in the shadows. It could come by at any moment and confront her. And there was the possibility that even if she wanted to say no, she couldn’t. After Cheerilee left, Ribbon got a bran muffin and some plain coffee. She went up to the register. The pony that was manning it when she came in must have gone on break. She had seen the new pony at the register a few times before. It was a stallion with a dark grey coat. A Pegasus to be exact. He had definitely caught her eye before. When she walked around town, she would spot him playing sports with the other guys that she assumed were his friends. He had a bold cutie mark, an atom with thunderbolts in the center instead of a nucleus. Ribbon had pegged him as a scholar. The saddlebags he had with him were always filled with books. The stallion turned to look at her and gave a pleasant smile. She wondered if he had noticed her before too. His wavy dark brown mane partially obscured his eyes. “More simple food for a mare with such expressive tastes?” he asked playfully. Ribbon remembered the dress and felt a blush in her cheeks. “Oh, this? It’s just something I like to throw on.” “Well, it’s lovely. You never come by looking plain,” he said. He rung her up and she saw that his name was Positive Charge on his nametag. “I’m Ribbon Wishes. It’s nice to meet you,” she said. He went and held her hoof, briefly giving it a slight shake. His gaze was just as reassuring and soft as his touch. “Likewise,” he said.