The Bizarre Case Of Minty And Malty

by Speedy

CHAPTER FOUR:The Picnic

Whistle thought the talk with Minty had went over pretty well, now she only needed to wait for the picnic to see whether or not Malty is really Minty’s mother. She was confident she wasn’t but the thought of possibly meeting Minty’s mother was eating away at her more than not meeting Malty herself. Tuesday came and went rather fast with little to no excitement, minus Whistle running into an old friend who was in town visiting her father.

“So are you in town for the whole week?” Whistle had asked during a dinner her friend had generously invited her to.

“Nope! I gotta be back in Ponyville by tomorrow afternoon, my daughter has a playdate!” replied the mare who was neck deep into a pile of muffins.

“Oh that’s nice Ditzy, be sure to tell Dinky I said hello!” Whistle gave a happy whistle before she couldn’t resist the urge to dive into the muffins any longer.

As she and Ditzy ate away at the muffin pile she suddenly looked up and saw Ditzy’s father staring at them like this was the first time he ever seen them eating, she asked ”You want one Mr.Muffin?” with him kindly declining.

To Whistle’s dismay Friday was worse in terms of excitement as she was stuck at home, as she watched the rain pound against the window she couldn’t help but be bored as she longed to do something.

“Remember, no playing in the rain.” Sparkleworks had said, zipping up her raincoat.

Today was so boring Whistle found no enjoyment anywhere, whether it be the VCR jamming up--Whistle thanked Celestia a thousand times that Sparkleworks’ favorite tape was unharmed--or her mind refusing to focus on reading or even daydreaming which she was usually an master in. Saturday couldn’t had come sooner with the bright yellow sun shining down on the town. Whistle was the first up and her excitement was so unbearable she galloped all about the apartment as if she was on a sugar rush.

Finally waking up Sparkleworks had made Whistle explode into a rocket of joy, “FINALLY you’re up! Now we can get ready for the picnic!” she had whistled happily.

Sparkleworks groaned as she blew her mane out of her eyes, “After I brush my teeth” she said which had made Whistle curse and immediately she grabbed her mouth as Sparkleworks raised an eyebrow at her.

Whistle galloped in place outside the bathroom door, Sparkleworks brushed her teeth with such slow strokes Whistle just wanted to gallop in and finish for her. Sparkleworks spat into the sink and Whistle clapped her hooves together, then cursed as Sparkleworks gargled some mouthwash. Finally, after what felt like an eternally she was done.

“Come on Ms.I can’t even wait for two minutes, time to go” smiled Sparkleworks.

Once outside Whistle basked in the sun’s warmth which felt amazingly refreshing after yesterday’s cold rain, she found the sky was quite beautiful today and if it had been cloudless she would’ve loved to fly high. As they trotted through the morning traffic Sparkleworks kept a close eye on Whistle who just couldn’t trott in a straight line, she opened her mouth a few times to say something but she kept shaking her head with a slight smile.

Despite yesterday’s rain the park was blooming with plant life and the grass was lust as could be as it blew in the soft warm breeze. It didn’t take long for the two to spot their friends who had settled under a lone tree atop a small mound.

A mare noticed them and smiled. “Glad you two were able to make it” she spoke as Sparkleworks laid down the basket. As Whistle immediately dug through it the mare slightly giggled.

“Happy you were able to make it too” replied Sparkleworks as she sat down in what she thought was an comfy spot with pretty of shade.

As Whistle found her orange juice she rested herself under the lone tree’s shade while wondering if everypony was here yet. She saw most of her friends and spotted a few foals playing around in a game of hide and seek.

“So, I take it everypony who could make it is here?” Sparkleworks asked.

The ponies either nodded or gave a faint yeah. Whistle leaned up and took a second glance among their friends, she wondered if Minty or perhaps Malty was among them. Disheartened she leaned back against the tree and stared at the ground.

“Oh hiya Star Catcher!” Whistle heard somepony say.

Whistle immediately jolted up, she searched around for only a split instant before she spotted her friend. “Star Catcher!” she shouted while galloping up and giving her friend the tightest hug that she could muster.

Star Catcher, whose fur was as white as snow, said “I’m happy to see you too Thistle Whistle, I trust staying with Sparkleworks is well?” but Whistle couldn’t answer.

Usually she would be the one squeezing air out of her friends but this time the tables were turned as Star Catcher returned the hug.

“Happy you could make it Star Catcher” smiled Sweetberry who couldn’t help but laugh at seeing Whistle being on the gagging side of her hug for once.

Once Star Catcher had released her Whistle gasped for air and staggered her way back under the tree, “Celestia she got even stronger..” she mouthed to Sparkleworks who held a hoof to her mouth in an failed attempt to muffle her laughter.

“I wouldn’t had missed this for the wor---” Star Catcher was interrupted by a slight tug to her tail, looking down for the culprit she saw a small foal nibbling on it.

“Oh Sea Swirl honey..that isn’t cotton candy...” Sweetberry blushed as she rushed to pull her daughter off of Star Catcher’s tail. “Please forgive her, she’s still teething..”

Star Catcher giggled. “It’s quite alright, my mane and tail is sweet looking to foals”she spoke.

Star Catcher scanned the checkered picnic blanket to find a comfy spot and came to rest beside Sparkleworks who blushed at her smile. “Hm, so, am I’m the last one?” she asked, holding back a giggle.

Whistle by now was comfortable under the tree’s shade again and could see everypony looking around to see if anypony else was still missing. Whistle didn’t bother to look as the two mares she was most hopeful to see had not yet arrived, resting her head back upon the tree trunk she stared up at the sunlight which sparkled as the leaves danced in the breeze. Closing her eyes Whistle tuned her ears to listen to the sound of nature, softly whistling along with the wind.

“No, my dear, I don’t think you’re last” Whistle heard and had jumped up too fast.

She felt light headed but easily managed to pull through it. Peering to her right she saw a pony that for a brief moment she thought was bathed in sunlight and her mouth dropped to the ground.

“Malty! You came!” Whistle yelled.

Malty stared over the group of ponies who were all giving her odd stares, some even held their mouths in a gasp. “Typical reaction” she said aloud and shook her head, hearing the sound of leafs breaking she stared over to her left and saw Whistle rushing over to her.

Quickly Malty held out her cane that kept Whistle at a safe distance. “Ah, don’t you remember the last time thou came running at me?” she asked.

Some ponies gasped at the raising of her cane, some sighed at seeing it was only holding Whistle at bay, and most laughed as Whistle actually tried getting passed the cane.

“Malty?” spoke somepony.

Malty flicked her head, she spotted the mare who had spoke and she grinned. “Ah, Star Catcher” she bowed her head. “I hope thou are doing well?”

Whistle finally gave up trying to hug Malty and hovered back under the tree with her head lowered, Malty smirked before setting her eyes back on Star Catcher.

“I am,” replied Star Catcher who stared at Malty as if she was a ghost. “I’m surprised to see---”

“What are you doing here??” Malty’s head snapped to the mare who had interrupted and her grin grew even wider.

“Cotton Candy I presume?” Malty asked warmly. “I can tell by that photo of thee in Pony Magazines, and, this young pride and joy must undoubtedly be thou daughter, Cotton Cloudy?” at eyeing her daughter Cotton Candy was quick to snatch her up into a protective hug, Malty offered a slight laugh and seemingly wiped away an invisible tear. ”Oh don’t fright dears, if thou must knoweth, your whistling friend over here invited me”.

Whistle heard faint mumbling among her friends, whistling nervously she avoided their gazes and wished she could turn invisible like Malty’s tear.

“Thistle Whistle, you invited her?” asked Cotton Candy. Her daughter tried to break for freedom but she only tightened her grip.

More mumbling could be heard and Whistle, who felt like a outcast, mouthed soundless words.

“Calm down everypony, most of you never even met her yet you're already whispering about her?” spoke Sparkleworks who had taken such a tone change everypony became silent almost instantly.

Her mouth hung open once more Whistle stared at her friend who looked so stern nopony dared spoke against her. The silence that had fallen was relieved when Star Catcher suddenly giggled.

“Still as motherly as ever” Star Catcher said, following it up with a wink.

Blushing Sparkleworks stumbled with her words “Yeah---well---I don’t like ponies gossiping about my frien--Whistle, about Whistle.” scratching the back of her head she had caught a glimpse of Whistle who mouthed the words thank you which had made her smile in confidence.

“Well, quite” spoke Malty. Her eyes were still on the ponies and she could see a few shivering as she stared in their direction. “If any of thou wisheth me to leave, I shall”.

Malty expected them to have one of a few reactions, laughing, however, wasn't one of them. "What's so funny?" she snarled, looking at the group's smiling faces. She frowned, practically wanting to bury herself in her coat.

Star Catcher, who was simply smiling, said it was the way she spoke. Malty’s cheeks turned slightly red as she shyly sat next to Whistle under the tree, “Do I really talk funny?” she asked her.

Whistle shook her head and smiled. “Thank you for coming.” she said, sneaking in that hug.

The next few minutes went by rather smoothly, the ponies had stopped talking among themselves but every now and again Malty would catch one or two staring at her. Not wanting to cause a scene by asking what they were staring at, she simply ignored the spying eyes and made idle chit-chat with Whistle.

“So, saw your new book on sale the other day” spoke Star Catcher. She was helping herself to a small slice of pie as she went on to mention “Saw it’s about a guard pony that doubles as a pirate? Not sure if that was what the cover was going for”.

“Ah, indeed that was the initial idea. It’s selling slow but not every book can be a fast seller, it seems” Malty replied. She was helping herself to some apples and didn’t bother to look up.

One of the ponies froze as she heard Malty. “You write books?” she asked, not noticing the slice of cake had fallen off of her fork when she went for a bite.

Malty gave a little nod and everypony gasped with interest, some started to ask her questions and Malty quickly found herself overwhelmed. “I’m here..!” came a voice, granting Malty’s wish for a interruption.

It was Tropical Dream, she was breathlessly galloping up the small mound and was gasping for air.

“Tropical Dream, what’s wrong?” asked one of the mares who stood up to help her.

Malty however was not concerned, she was only thankful that the spotlight of attention was no longer on her.

“Oh, nothing...just running fashionably late you could say” Tropical Dream gasped in between her inhales. Once she was able to gather her bearings she looked about the group, saw most were eating, and gave a smile.

“Sorry I’m late, I had some urgent business that needed attending” Tropical Dream spoke, sitting down by a pony who kindly shared her small fan. “Oh a tessen! My grandmother used to carry these everywhere”.

When she had first saw Tropical Dream Whistle had jumped to her feet and galloped to where she came from. “Where’s Minty?” she asked.

“She’s not here yet?” asked Tropical Dream, fanning herself with the tessen. “She should had been here by now, I left before her so---”

“Then she should be right behind you, shouldn’t she?” asked one pony.

“Oh no Sunny Daze, well, you see I had that urgent business to take care of. So really she should’ve been here before me, hope she didn’t get too absorbed into that orange beaker..” Tropical Dream explained.

At hearing Minty was likely not coming Whistle frowned, sniffing she returned under her tree to sulk. Then she saw Malty, staring from her to Tropical Dream her spirits came back as she jumped up and flew to Malty’s side.

Pushing herself forward Whistle asked “Since Minty isn’t coming, could you tell if Malty is her mom?”

Once more everypony stared at the two, “What?” asked Malty who wanted to curse at Whistle for putting her in the spotlight again.

Everypony stared at Malty, then at Whistle, then back to Malty and then at Tropical Dream whose face had froze awkwardly. Tropical Dream trotted over, the tessen levitating after her. Malty retreated under her bowler hat, with every attempt to look under it Malty flicked her head away to avoid eye contact. Finally Tropical Dream, resulting to raise Malty’s hat herself, stared eye to eye with her before turning to Whistle.

Tropical Dream shook her head. “So she’s not Minty’s mom?” Whistle asked, looking down at Malty who mouthed a word she couldn’t quite make out.

“I will say she does resemble her, greatly in fact, but Minty’s mother has pink eyes. Malty’s are yellow” Tropical Dream explained and as Whistle exploded she shook her head.

“I knew it!” she whistled. “I knew Malty couldn’t had been her mom, and now when you see her again you can tell Minty and she won’t be mad at me anymore!”

Malty, being the only one who wasn’t laughing or giggling, shook her head as Whistle did loops and kicks in the air. She sighed, thinking Whistle was being too childish. “Thou could had just asketh me, you know” she spoke when Whistle finally came to land.

“Oh right, guess I could ha---” Whistle froze mid sentence, staring onward with a blank stare.

Malty followed her eyesight to a small filly who had spilled a green carton, orange juice leaking upon the grass. Immediately Whistle dived for it but just in time Sparkleworks had leapt in the way.

“No Whistle, what do we do when we see spilled drinks?”

“Drink it up in one big gu---” Whistle frowned as she caught Sparkleworks’ glare. “---We clean it up and wash our hooves?”

“Correct, now get an napkin”.

“So, you’re Malty?” asked Tropical Dream, Malty kindly gave a nod but said no words as she watched Whistle. “I must admit, there is something---odd, about how you look.”

“And I must assume thou thinkth I look weird?”

Tropical Dream couldn’t help but offer an gulp as Malty stared at her. “Oh no no no, I only meant that as---”

“Dear, I already know all the excuses. Doest thou know how many ponies stops me on the street to see if I looketh as strange as the rumors say?”

Her interruption had mixed results from the ponies, Malty gritted her teeth as they went back to whispering. Tropical Dream, who was a little put off by her interruption, lowered her head while apologizing.

“Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to upset you. I only meant what I said in a honest and friendly manner”.

Malty didn’t bother to look as she raised Tropical Dream’s head with her cane, “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” and silence fell under her gaze.

Some ponies nervously went back to their food, others stared at Malty whose eyes felt like they were burning deep into their skulls. Finally, to break the tense silence Star Catcher stood up to speak but before she could utter a sound Malty had grasped her chest.

“Are you OK Malty?” asked Whistle, concerned something was wrong she hovered over.

Sparkleworks snatched up the napkin as it was almost carried away by the breeze. “Whistle! You hadn’t cleaned up the juice yet!”

Clutching her chest tighter Malty shook her head, “No, I’m fine” she felt inside her chest pocket and offered a growl. “Anypony knoweth what time it is?”

“It’s going on about----past one twenty” spoke Tropical Dream, placing a watch back inside her saddlebag.

Malty turned and whispered something that had made Whistle tilt her head curiously. “What’s too soon?”

“Ah---nothing, nevermind” replied Malty, briefly she turned back to say “I enjoyed meeting you all, but I must henceforth depart” then trotted down the mound.

“You're leaving already???” Whistle began flying after Malty and had nearly collided with her cane.

“Don’t follow,” Malty snapped and quickly lowered her cane. “I forgot something----very important. Meds, don’t fright, we’ll likely meet again”.

Lowering herself to a sitting position Whistle watched as Malty trotted off, the tinier she became over the horizon the more whispers Whistle heard from behind.

“Maybe somepony should go after her? To be sure she gets home safe?” asked one pony who was more concerned than curious.

“No, let’s not trouble her” spoke Star Catcher who was both concerned and curious as she too watched Malty disappear over the horizon.

It took a while for everypony to get their mindsets off of Malty’s odd behavior, Whistle however kept it in full as she wondered what was wrong. She replayed the previous moments through her mind and tried to see if she had done anything that might've upsetted her.

“Hey, I just thought of something” she whistled.

“Hm? What’s that?” asked Tropical Dream who had gotten into a conversion with Star Catcher.

“I never told Malty where the picnic was, wondered how she found us?”