//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: The Box // by Candy-Sweets_12 //------------------------------// I'm startled awake by a knock on my door. I quickly turn towards Dinky, and sigh in relief to see that she's still asleep. I yawn and get out of bed, going to the door before whoever was knocking could answer again. "Yes?" I say, opening the door to find Octavia there. "Oh! My apologies, were you asleep?" "You don't have to worry about that. Is something wrong?" "Well, I was hoping you'd join the rest of us today." She smiled. I look behind her to find Carrot Top with Time Turner, and BonBon was with Lyra. Vinyl waved to me from behind. It took me half a second to notice the falling snow, and the scarves tightly wrapped around their necks. Along with a variety of coats and hats. "Sure, " I say. "I'll be just a minute. But yo don't mind if I bring extra company do you?" Octavia threw me a slightly confused look. Making me smile widely. Once I finally got Dinky in her coat and hat, and made sure she would be warm; despite her discomfort with the outfit, I decided to bring her outside. "Okay guys." I say when I reach the door, hiding Dinky on my back. "Don't be too startled, and don't startle her, she doesn't really like new ponies. A look of understanding crossed Time Turners face while everyone else looked up at me in confusion. I sighed. "I should've told you guys earlier, but I think that it's time to stop hiding her away." I turn my head to her, smiling down at her nervous expression, and grab a hold of her. I turn to the rest, who all stare at her in shock. "Is that...?" Lyra asks. "Yes, she is my daughter, but I'm not her birth mother." "How long did you keep her from us?" BonBon asked, taking a step closer to me. "A few weeks." "Is she the reason why you were always in such a hurry to get home? Or why you didn't want me there?" Carrot Top asked. I sigh and nod. "She's only about 2 months, so please don't startle her. She doesn't really like new ponies or experiences. I haven't brought her out in a long time." Vinyl, wordless as always, takes a step towards Dinky and smiles. She crouches down to her level and rubs her mane. Dinky looks up curiously at her glasses, her horn lighting up. A golden glow wraps around Vinyl's glasses, and they casually float off of her face. Dinky grins and so does Vinyl. "I like her." She says. Before they could end up in her mouth, Vinyl gently takes them back and sets it on her face. Dinky takes a look at the falling snow. Her first time ever seeing the snowflakes. Her eyes widen in wonder as one gently lands on her nose. She giggles and looks for more. Once we've walked away from my house, everypony's eyes are latched onto me, and mostly Dinky. Some start whispering, others smile at me, regardless, all of the attention makes her uncomfortable, and she buries her face into my fur. "Just ignore them." Doctor says, matching his pace with mine. The rest of the time we spent walking; was time I spent in the middle of the group. Carrot Top was offering me a bunch of things like offers to make vegetable much for Dinky or different variety's of soups for me. Vinyl casually strode next to Octavia, who asked about Dinky's interests. While Lyra and BonBon kept asking me about Dinky's favorite toys and activities. And if they could ever get the chance to watch her at some point. I did my best to answer them, ignoring the other ponies glares drilling their way into Dinky. We finally reach our destination in the park, where a bunch of little foals played away in the snow. Some of the looked our way while others pointed towards Dinky. 'Poor Dinky, her first day out in the snow, and she spends it being the center of unwanted attention.' I settle myself next to a pile of snow, where Dinky casually strides into. Giggling at the snow in her mane and tail. She decides to play with it like it's bubbles in a bubble bath, while I just chuckle at the stuff sticking to her face. "I can't believe you've been keeping her away from us for this long." Lyra says. "Lyra!" BonBon says. "No, she's right, I just didn't want to get into any uneccessary situations until I could call her my own." I sigh, a gust of white coming out my mouth like steam from a dragon's. "But I could've at least given you guys some explanation than just hide it away from you all. I'm so sorry." "Ditzy, if I were to be honest, I probably would've done the same." Octavia said. "There's nothing wrong with having a secret. I'd rather you hide one than lie about it." "Yeah, Octi's gotta point." Vinyl replied. I turn to Dinky, and find her covered in snow horn to hoof; giggling all the while. She toddles up to me over the uneven lump on the ground, smiling all the while. I rub a hoof through her mane, brushing out as much of the snow as I could and smile. To my surprise, Time Turner comes closer to me and Dinky toddles to him, wrapping herself up in his scarf. "I guess that she's taken a liking to me." He said. "Ditzy, if you don't mind me asking, where'd you get her?" Time Turner stops what he's doing and looks to me, a worried expression painting his face. Dinky seemed to catch some of the rising tension and looked my way. "Well, I guess you had to find out somehow." As soon as I stopped, everybody went quiet. BonBon broke the silence. "She really went through all of that? She doesn't look at all like you described." "I took pictures, I could show you to prove it." "I'll pass, that sounds like an absolutely ghastly experience." Octavia said. We stayed there for another hour or so, Dinky falling asleep despite her curiosity. Just as the temperature began to slowly drop, she started shivering. "I'd better get her home." I say. "We'll be sure to drop by some time. Vinyl says. After a few goodbyes, we part our separate ways. Just as I get home, I take off Dinky's coat and all, and set her in the bathtub. She's still half asleep as I scrub what's left of the snow out of her mane and fur. "I hope that you had fun today. Because you're going to see more days like this soon." She smiles and rests her head on the rim of the bathtub, not even caring about the water I pour over her. Or the towel I use to rub her dry. Or even when I brush whatever knots made their way into her hair. Once she's warm and clean, her diaper's on, and she softly suckling on her favorite pacifier; layered with honey, I set her to bed. Giving her a little peck on her head. "I love you Dinky." I whisper.