//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven; Mall Adventures- Lily // Story: Chance for a Better Life // by Kix //------------------------------// As Celestia drops me off in front of the mall, I rush towards the dark-skinned woman who saved me and wrap my arms tight around her middle after finding her among the endless crowd of people as they mill through the revolving door. “Hey Chrys, how have you been?” She returns the hug with a laugh while Celestia heads off to find a parking spot, and I try to drown out the endless cacophony of multiple conversations by the crowds as they move past us. “Not too bad, kiddo, how has life been treating you and Moonshade? Haven’t had any problems recently, have you?” When we break apart, her hand finds mine and my fingers grip hers in a tight embrace without even thinking. “Actually, things have been surprisingly good. I think Moonshade is actually starting to slightly settle in, though I think she hates having to be helped out with a lot of things still. She can’t wait to be freed of her cast and sling.” “That’s good to hear, and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit as much as I wanted to------” “It has to do with my parents and Moon’s uncle, doesn’t it?” I interrupt while wrapping my arms tight around my chest. I know she is doing something good, but even so….. if feels as if my parents are still hurting me. “Yea, but I’ll tell you what kiddo, if Celestia and Luna agree you can spend the rest of the weekend with us. And any other weekend you want to, too.” “Thanks Chrys, I’m looking forward to it. Think we can go for a spin on your bike?” Before she can answer, she looks up and smiles as a voice comes from behind me. “What are you looking forward to, Lily? And why do you want to go for a spin on her bike?” The seriousness of the voice clues me into who it is that snuck up behind me, along with the arms that wrapped me in a hug from behind. “Hey Luna, glad to see you were able to make it, why couldn’t you ride with me and Celestia?” Still in her embrace, I twist around and return the hug as Celestia joins us. “I had something I needed to care of with Posey, but she gave me time off for good behavior.” With both Luna and Chrys resting an arm around my shoulders, we step inside the mall with Chrysalis mentioning something about avoiding the GameStop or any other store that deals with video games, much to Luna’s disappointment. The first store we enter is actually a cellphone carrier, which surprises me. “Well, we have been talking it over and think it would be a good idea if you and Moonshade had your own cellphones and maybe a tablet or iPad,” All I can do is just stare in confusion at Celestia. I’ve….. I’ve never had a cellphone before. “Also, it seems you have fourteen years of birthdays to make up for, and Moonshade has five. Go ahead and pick out a cellphone for yourself and one for Moonshade.” Without missing a beat or turning to look at Luna, she adds, “And no, we are not getting them a laptop or computer. You may want to increase the number of your gaming minions, but I won’t allow them to be taken advantage of. Besides, you have too many gaming systems throughout the house already, we don’t need more.” Giggling at Luna’s dejected expression, I turn my attention back to the store and the walls. With so many types of phones and devices, I find it very hard to decide on which ones myself and Moon would like. It takes a very long time till we’re walking out the store, my new phone in my pocket and the rest of the stuff in a bag. As we pass a high end fashion store, I can’t help but stop and stare at the merchandise inside. “We don’t know much about fashion, but next time we come here, we’ll bring Rarity if you want to explore. She knows a lot about fashion and can help pick out some outfits that will look good on you.” Celestia’s words are followed a round of laughter from the women as they notice my expression. With a little prodding, we continue going through a couple more stores with two more bags joining the one from the wireless store. However, the store I spot across the walkway from us gains my attention, and I barrel inside in an excited rush. “I blame you for anything bad that may come of this, Chrys. Consider this an advanced warning.” Ignoring the adults, I take in the racks covered in biker gear, helmets and boots settled on shelves lining three of the walls. Also inside are scooters and bikes, both mountain and BMX style, but are largely ignored as I go through the leather jackets and pants as if in a trance. “You made this mess Chrys, you fix it.” I barely hear Celestia’s words as I go through the racks, pulling out the many different styles and colors of gear, sometimes even trying them on. “Gladly. So Lily, if you can have just one thing besides a loving family what would you want?” Chrysalis’ words startle me as she stands at my left side, an arm draped around my shoulders. Without hesitating I answer, noticing the look of horror on Celestia’s face while Luna has a goofy grin and Chrysalis beams brightly. “I want a bike like yours.” “That’s my girl, gimme a high five.” Holding her hand up to a height where I have to jump, Chrys sticks her tongue out at Celestia, which only makes her madder. “You told me to fix it, but you didn’t say how.” “If you go through with this, then her safety is all YOUR responsibility. If she gets hurt YOU deal with it, understood?” Once the two agree, we get ourselves some food from the food court, though to my disappointment I’m veered away from the Chinese stand and into the sandwich shop. “Why don’t we go to the park and eat, it’s a nice enough day.” My grumbles of unwilling acceptance earns me a laugh from the sisters and Chrys as we order our food. With the bags tossed into the trunk and the food bags secured, we walk the short distance to the park, being stopped by Fluttershy for a minute as she crosses our path on her way to the animal shelter. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I find out that she is a regular volunteer there. I know Moon likes animals despite her hard outer shell, maybe her and Fluttershy can get together and help out there sometime. The park is very well kept, with hardly any trash being blown about in the lazy breeze. The play area is filled with little kids while families take advantage of the good weather and have get togethers with friends and extended members. Chrys’ hand on my back snaps me out of my thoughts as she steers me towards a picnic table closest to the woods that offers a good view of the pond or lake or whatever you want to call it. “Hey kiddo, since you obviously didn’t hear, Celestia will allow you to have a dirt bike, but only to be used in specific places, got it? So either later today or tomorrow we’ll go and get you one, your choice. Consider this as a birthday and Christmas gift in one.” In stunned silence, all I can do in reply is nod dumbly as my brain begins to process what I just thought I heard. “Anyway, who’s hungry?” Celestia asks with a smile and giggle while opening up the containers. As we get ready to divvy up the food into who ordered what, I notice both Celestia and Luna staring at something in horror. “WATCH OUT!” The warning comes behind me just before a blur crashes into a stand of trees. “Well, that is something else we can say we aren’t good at, though we must be good at getting covered in sap, mud and leaves. Hey, maybe that could be our talent!” A girl a few years younger than myself says as she stands up while pulling a few leaves out of her purple hair. “Ah don’ know if that is a real talent or not, Scoots.” The accent reminds me of Applejack’s as a second girl stands up, oblivious to the four of us watching them. “An’ if it is, Ah’m not sure how we’d be able ta apply it.” “I know, I know!” a third girl squeaks out. “Our talent could be crashing things, or demolition.” “Ya really think so, Sweetie? Cause Ah don’ think sis or Big Mac would…… he- howdy principal Celestia, vice-principal Luna.” The southern-accented girl says nervously, realizing they have an audience. “What have I told you girls about staying out of trouble and not doing anything so reckless?” Looking at Luna curiously I study the girls a bit closer as they face us, trying to hide their smiles while at the same time staring at the ground as the tree they hit continues to vibrate from the impact and leaves fall in clumps on them. “Scootaloo, you weren’t doing something dangerous, where you?” Celestia adds as she steps in front of the trio, looking at them seriously. “No Ms. Celestia, we were just having fun and kinda….. lost control,” the orange skinned girl with purple hair says as she scuffs her foot across the ground. “Look, we aren’t hurt and----- you must be Moonshade. I’m Scootaloo, this is Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle,” she says when she looks up for the first time, staring at me curiously then motioning first to the red haired girl with overalls before gesturing to the girl with two tone pink and purple hair and white skin. “We heard about you from our sisters and hope that whatever you are running from they can help you with.” “Nice to meet you girls, but I’m not Moonshade. My name’s Lily Bloom, but I do know her and will pass along your wishes.” Smiling, I take their hands as the seven of us sit around a worn, wooden table. A gentle breeze flows around us as the food is unpacked. “Is this the normal thing you girls do for fun?” Soon the food cartons are opened, revealing a mixture of subs, coleslaw, macaroni and potato salad, along with a bag of chips and two two-liter pops. “We have enough food and plastic utensils, if you three are hungry you can join us,” Celestia offers after the girls look hopefully at unpacked food. “You three do know it’s rude to speak to someone else while you are talking to a different person, right?” As the customary scramble for food begins, Apple Bloom answers as soon as she sits back down with an over loaded plate, threatening to dump its contents. “Yes ma’am, why are ya hangin’ out with the principal an’ vice-principal?” The other two along with the three adults look at me somewhat tensely as I take my time to answer. “My….. my parents weren’t doing their job with me and I had to be taken away from them. Celestia and Luna offered to take care of me until something more permanent can be found, I’m very grateful to them.” As sadness and memories try to take over, I just stare at my food until Chrysalis lays a comforting hand on my back. “So, does this mean you’ll be joining us at Canterlot High?” Sweetie squeaks excitedly while Scootaloo and Apple Bloom shout, nearly knocking their plates and the rest of the food onto the ground. “What about Moonshade? Can we meet her soon? Will she also be joining you for enrollment? Can we show them around, principal Celestia? PLEASE?” The first three questions are a jumbled mess by then, but they manage to ask the last question in unison, along with the please. It is Luna who answers first, her tone serious as she glares at them, waiting for the girls to sit down. “I do not believe that would be a good idea to let you show them around right now, girls. As for Moonshade, yes, she will be enrolled when she is ready and right now, it is not yet the right time for her to meet to many people, but you will in time.” After the girls settle down, the rest of the lunch goes by in silence. The trio, cowed or in deep thought stay silent and stare at the ground while I struggle with the persistent memories. Celestia and Luna are probably afraid to say something that could possibly push me over the razor edge as Chrys whispers comforting words while continually rubbing my back. Eventually the uncomfortable silence becomes too much, and after calming down some, I take some time and get to know the three, eventually promising to not only hang out with them at some point but also introducing them to Moonshade, if they can control themselves. However, the peacefulness is broken by Chrys’ calmly spoken words after she hangs up from a call she took while I wasn’t paying attention. “Celestia, we need to go. You three can come with us, and we’ll drop you off at your houses.” Aw, I was having fun too. Wonder why she wants to leave so suddenly.