Chapter 7: Neigh York, Neigh York, It's a Heck of a Town!
Blueblood looked out of his cab at the beautiful city of Manehattan. It was even busier than Canterlot, which, despite being the capital, must have been a quarter of the size. Ponies scrambled around like ants at an anthill, not appearing to have a purpose, but all driven by a enormous sense of importance and worth.
Yeesh! Do they ever stop?
"Is it always this busy?" Blueblood queried to the stallion pulling his carriage.
"Yes," said the cabbie, "Welcome to the city that Luna never visits in the dreamscape."
I see why, Blueblood thought, observing the controlled chaos that Disord would've adored.
"What keeps them going all the time?"
"Blood, sweat and tears. Oh and Starbits coffee."
Blueblood looked out his window at a store with 'STARBITS' in tan letters. A green emblem had a strange, abstract pony on it.
Maybe that's what you look like after a cup of their coffee, Blueblood thought with a smirk.
"While you're here," said the cabbie, "You've just gotta see the Pony of Liberty and the Brayklyn bridge, Oh and don't forget ta try ah Neigh York Style Pretzels."
"If I have time, maybe."
I have other things to do.
"What brings ya ta ah fair metropolis?"
"Just visiting a friend."
"Must be a very good friend for ya ta come all the way from Canterlot."
"You have no idea."
Blueblood smiled at the thought of seeing Stormwing and his family again after all these months.
"Well anyhoof, here ya are," the cabbie announced.
Blueblood's head swung around to see a weathered old house.
"Thank you," Blueblood said, passing him a large ruby, "Keep the change."
"Thank YOU!" said the cabbie, tipping his hat.
The cabbie pulled his carriage off into the streets and Blueblood walked up to the doorway.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The door creaked open revealing a slit of a teal face.
"Hi Lily Blossom."
"BWUBWOD!" she screamed, throwing her hooves around the Prince of Equestria, "I mithed you thoooooo much."
"I missed you too Lily Blossom, are your parents at home?"
"Is that Blueblood's voice I hear?" came Studious's voice from down the hallway, "Why yes it is. Come in, come in."
Blueblood entered the house and walked into the parlor.
The parlor was of old design, but not dingy. It was well-kept and clean as a whistle. A large bay window looked out onto the street and let in shafts of Celestia's sunlight. Pictures of the family hung on all the walls and several potted flowers gave the room a lovely fragrance.
"I'll get some tea," said Studious, racing off.
Blueblood heard soft piano music coming from another room. It stopped abruptly and in walked Aneighdeus.
"Blueblood!" he exclaimed, "So glad you finally fulfilled that invitation of ours. Tis truly a pleasure to see you again."
"Good to see you as well Aneighdeus. What have ya been up to?"
"Oh nothing much. Composed a few sonatas and chorales since we last met, and my school's orchestra has agreed to play 'Canterlot Imprisonment' at our next concert. Thrilling, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Blueblood, "But I'm sure they won't do the piece justice."
"Oh but of course they shall," said Aneighdeus, "I didn't tell you I attend the Manehattan school of Music? All my schoolmates are most accomplished in the musical arts. Of course, not as accomplished as I."
"A concert sounds amazing! Well tell me when it is and I'll be happy to come."
"November the twelfth."
"Tea anypony?" asked Studious, carrying in a tray of food and refreshments.
"Thank you," Blueblood said, "Studious, if I may ask, where is Leather Loafer and Stormwing?"
"Leather is out selling shoes. That's the good thing about Manehattan, it's so large he never has to leave the city and be gone for days on end. And Stormwing is away on a tour of duty."
"Ah yes, I forgot."
"I actually just returned from the university where I teach and Lily and Aneighdeus just got out of school."
"I gow to the Manehattan Schoow fow Fwower-wuvers," said Lily Blossom.
"Yes, Lily Blossom has quite the green hoof."
"I wanna be a bo... ba... boton... photon... botox..."
"A botanist dear," Studious prompted her daughter.
"Tanks Mommy. Yeah a... a what she said."
Blueblood chuckled inwardly as the filly began scarfing down the cookies her mom had brought out.
"So," said Studious, passing Blueblood a teacup, "What brings you out to Manehattan?"
"I actually just came to see you. I've been missing you guys lately. I guess I should've given you guys heads up but I kinda planned it last minute."
"Oh no it's fine. We're all glad you came."
"I've been needing a break from Canterlot. Always so busy."
"Well you've come to the wrong place if you want quiet. Manehattan is-"
"I know, the city Luna never visits in the dreamscape. I consider just being with your family relaxing."
"If only I could," Studious joked, catching Lily Blossom's teacup before it fell off the table.
"Ha, I guess you're right about that."
"Let me in on your secret."
Blueblood and Studious laughed as Lily Blossom shot Aneighdeus a confused look.
"Well, this has been fun," Blueblood said, standing and wiping a happy tear from his eye, "I better get situated at my hotel."
"Not on your life!" Studious said, "You'll stay here. You can have Stormwing's room. It's the least we can do."
"You're too generous Studious."
"Nonsense. Call it... Revenge. Aneighdeus, Lily, help Blueblood with his suitcases."
"I only brought one. I can handle it."
"Well I'll get started with dinner. Leather should be home in an hour or so."
"Wet me sow you my woom Bwuebwod," said Lily Blossom, dragging Blueblood by the hoof upstairs, "I've got my own wittle gweenhouse!"
"I'M HOME!!!!" proclaimed Leather Loafer as he opened the door.
"DADDY!!!" screamed Lily, encasing her father in a death hug, "I mithed you."
"On a scale of one to one thousand, how much?"
"I don't know. I can't count dat high."
"Fair enough."
It was then Leather Loafer saw Blueblood. His eyes lit up with delight. He opened up his arms for a big bear hug.
"Blueblood! When did you show up?"
"About an hour ago," said Blueblood, accepting the hug.
"Well sad ta say Stormwing's not here."
"I know."
"Dinner's ready," called Studious.
"We only have a salad, main course and dessert here," Leather Loafer joked, "Sorry if that's less than you usually eat."
Blueblood rolled his eyes and he and the family sat down to eat.
"Tomowwow," said Lily Blossom, "Can I take Bwubwod to schoow wif me?"
"He isn't a show-and-tell artifact Lily," said Studious, "And it's 'may I'."
"I'd love to go to school with you Lily," said Blueblood, "I'm not much of a hoof at gardening though."
"Dat's okay," said Lily.
The family dissolved into cordial conversation, discussing their day and what they were planning for tomorrow. Nopony was left out of the conversation. Even Lily Blossom got to talk about her garden.
This is nice, thought Blueblood, They just seem so... Loving. Nothing like my father.
It is in the past!
Blueblood smiled as Stormwing's face flashed before his eyes.
What a goof. But still, they never seem to have any troubles.
Blueblood, Aneighdeus and Lily Blossom stood in the kitchen washing, drying and putting away dishes while Leather Loafer read the newspaper and Studious graded essays.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"I'll get it," said Leather, rising from his easy chair.
He walked to the end of the hall and Blueblood could hear murmuring.
What's going on?
"Thank you," said Leather Loafer, closing the door.
Walking back into the kitchen with a heavier step and a graver expression he said, "Aneighdeus, would you please tuck your sister in? We'll finish the dishes."
Aneighdeus arched his eyebrow and sensing his father's need for obedience replied, "Of course, come along Lily."
"Goodnight Mommy and Daddy," Lily said, kissing her parents, "Goodnight Bwubwod."
She hugged Blueblood tightly and then trudged upstairs, unhappy about the early bedtime.
"What happened Leather?" Studious asked once the kid's were out of earshot.
"That was a messenger of the Royal Guard," he answered, in a voice shaking with fear, "Stormwing's in the hospital."
Blueblood felt a rock drop in his stomach.
"Let's go," Studious said, rising from her chair, the essays forgotten.
The three ponies bolted out of the house, barely remembering to bolt the door behind them.