//------------------------------// // XXVIII: A step towards stallionhood // Story: The Flutterheart Diaries // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// 9-10-13 Anacrusis is 2 months older than my last entry. It’s starting to become obvious which parent he’s taking his personality from. He’s become a bit more stubborn recently, refusing to eat his vegetables. Except potatoes. He loves red potatoes. Guess he’s going to be a hay and potatoes kind of colt. In the meantime, Flutterheart and I are going to start trying to have another foal soon. She says she’s ready and that I better give her a filly. No pressure. Pressureless, Trey “Oh, man, my dad’s gonna kill me...” said Anacrusis, hoisting his saddlebag around his flank. “Oh, man...” *** “Oh, hey, Flutterwing!” said Fluttershy as she trotted in the door from school. “Where’s Anacrusis?” “I don’t know. He said he was gonna hang out with Cherry after school for a bit.” “Oh...ok then!” she said, hugging Flutterwing. *** Anacrusis quietly trotted around the cottage, avoiding windows, as not to be seen. He soon reached the window to his own room, and quietly swung it open, hopping inside as quietly as he could. He tip-hoofed quietly to his closet, searching for a jacket and pants, an outfit of any sort. He spotted a small pair of fishing trousers he and his dad would wear when they went to play catch and release and quickly donned it, sweating with nervousness. “Anacrusis?” he heard Trey say. He quickly peeked his head around the side of his bedroom door. “Yes?” he asked, keeping the back half of his body hidden. “I didn’t hear you come in. How’s Cherry?” “Oh, same old same old. You know, the usual.” he said, giving a slightly awkward smile. “Oh. Ok then! Dinner will be ready soon. Come help Flutterwing set the table.” “Do I have to?” “Yes, sir. I don’t see why today would be any different.” “I’m allergic to setting tables. I just got diagnosed with it today.” Trey raised an eyebrow. “Uh huh. I think I’ll take that risk. Come on.” Anacrusis sluggishly trotted from around the corner of the door after Trey turned his back. He slunk quietly to the kitchen, where Flutterwing was busy putting plates on the table. He tried slinking around her to grab the cups while she wasn’t looking, but she spotted him and asked the question he knew was coming. “Why are you wearing pants?” “It’s...cold.” he said. “But it’s almost Summer...” “Almost. Not quite. Maybe I’m coming down with something.” “Oh...well...ok then.” she said, rolling her eyes. He sighed in relief, setting the rest of the dishes on the table. “Dinner’s ready!” said Fluttershy. Anacrusis panicked and hurriedly sat down at his side of the table, awaiting his parents. “So, what’d you make today?” asked Trey, giving her a quick kiss as they walked to the table. “Oh, the usual. Hay and vegetables.” she said, smiling at him. “My favorite.” he added, as the two of them sat down. They said their usual prayer and began eating. Anacrusis ate slowly, hoping that they didn’t look his direction. “So how was school today?” asked Fluttershy. “It was good! I got a B on my history paper!” said Flutterwing, beaming. “I’m so proud of you!” said Fluttershy, smiling at her. She turned to Anacrusis. “And what about you?” “It was ok. Nothing really exciting happened.” he said, turning his attention to eating, hoping that his lack of enthusiasm would divert further inquiry. “Nothing at all?” asked Trey. “What about that Equestrian paper you had to write?” Anacrusis froze for a sec, his heart sinking in his chest. “It went over alright.” “Just alright?” “Yeah, got an A, nothing special.” “Nothing special? That’s excellent, Anacrusis!” said Fluttershy, as Trey nodded, his mouth full of hay. “Eh.” “Son, you got an A on a subject a lot of other ponies struggle with. Take pride in that.” said Trey, forcing the rest of his vegetables down his throat. “Eh.” Trey rolled his eyes. “Dinner was great, honey!” said Trey, kissing her on the cheek before his got up to wash his plate. “Yes, Mommy, thank you!” said Flutterwing, as she and Fluttershy both got up. Anacrusis, who left a large amount of hay on his plate, continued to graze on it, waiting for them to leave the kitchen. “I guess you were hungry, eh?” said Trey. “As a horse.” “Just clean your plate when you’re done. We’re going to play some board games soon. It’s your turn to pick, you know.” “Oh, yeah. Um...I don’t feel so good. You, Mom, and Flutterwing can play. I’ll just go to my room and stuff. Go to bed early. And stuff.” Trey raised an eyebrow. “You alright?” “Yeah, just a headache.” “Heachache?” “Yeah, it’s when your head hurts. And aches.” “Yeah, go lie down when you finish. Feel better, son.” “Yes, Sir.” he said, watching Trey trot off to the living room. He waited until he heard Flutterwing shriek in laughter, then quietly slunk to his room. He closed the door, taking off the trousers, looking at his flank in the mirror. “Oh...That’s...how would one remove a manly mark? Dad’s gonna kill me...” He continued to stare into the mirror, pondering over how best to cover it up. Suddenly, Trey burst into the room with a pill for his headache. Anacrusis yelped, landing on his rump, trying desperately to cover his flank with his hooves. Trey dropped the pill, a large smile forming across his face. “Is that your manly mark?” he asked, trotting over to him. “No. It’s an art project.” he said, trying to lie. “No, that’s a manly mark, alright.” said Trey, removing Anacrusis’ arm from his flank. A small scroll of paper covered by a pencil lined a large portion of his flank, a larger than normal manly mark. Anacrusis looked away, tears forming in his eyes. “Please don’t be mad at me...” he said. “What?” asked Trey. “Why would I be?” “Because I’m not talented in musicianship...” “Oh, Anacrusis...” he said, pulling him into a hug. “I don’t care about that. I’m just so happy that you’ve finally realized what I’ve known for a while now.” “You mean...you knew this would be my manly mark?” “I had my suspicions, yes. I’m proud of you.” “You are?” “Of course I am. This is a big step towards stallionhood, Anacrusis. I’m so proud of you.” “I was worried you’d be upset that it wasn’t music related...” “Of course not.” he said, hugging him tighter. “HEY, FLUTTERHEART! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!” he yelled. “Your mother’s going to be so proud of you.” he said to him. Anacrusis smiled back at him, getting up, ready to boldly display his talent to the family before he proclaimed it to the world.