"...Is something to try. But for now, you have been working for quite a while. Why don't we take a break?" Sunny suggested.
Cotton nodded and hummed an agreement. It has been a while... Cotton looked down at Aqua who had yet to respond. "Aqua?"
"Yeah, yeah..." The filly shook her head. "It's probably a good idea." She pointed at her head. "Don't want to fry this piece of junk."
Both the mares adopted concerned looks as Cotton leaned in close. Enough for only her and Aqua to hear. "You okay?"
The filly replied at a normal volume. "Yeah... I'm just so damn bored. I'm still used to being so busy. Before all this, I used to be doing so much, pretty much at all times. Granted, it wasn't bad don't get me wrong but, it's still so much less to do... So I dive into learning magic." Aqua grinned." "'Cause magic is cool."
"Still, young one, even though," Sunny joined Aqua in grinning, "Magic is cool, ponies need to have other interests. Even if those interests are as simple as making friends."
Aqua mimed looking past Sunny. Following her gaze, Cotton saw the other fillies and colts of the orphanage. "I think I'm good. Not to shit-talk the others but-."
"Aqua. Language."
"Oh shi- uh... Right... Sorry, Cotton." The mare nodded in satisfaction. "Uh... Oh yeah. They're a bit hard to hold a conversation with. At least, for me... Fun to talk to for a few minutes or short exchanges but... beyond that? Not really."
Sunny had motherly disappointment visible on her face. "Remember this, little one; You will need friends in the future. Even if you don't know it yet."
"Oh yeah, I'm fully aware, don't get me wrong... It's just they're," The filly pointed behind Sunny again, "Just are a little too immature to be true friends with, is I guess what I'm trying to say."
"Then you must endeavour to find ones you would call 'mature.'"
"Yeah, I fully intend to just... I ain't got much for options at the moment."
An audible hum from Sunny. "Aside from the aforementioned topics, are there any other interests you have or intend to pursue?"
"I-... Hm..." Aqua looked up in thought. "I... might want to try carving or moulding? Like, with clay. I know I told Cotton, but I don't think I've told you, Sunny..." Sunny tilted her head. "I... I used to draw before..." Aqua pointed at her eyes with her left foreleg and lightly shook her head. "Yeah... I used to draw. well, more akin to sketching, actually..." Aqua smiled, "I never really got past the sketching phase unless it was an assignment, but I enjoyed it. It was fun to do while talking to others or just thinking."
Sunny interjected, "I see."
"Yeah, it was fun. Especially once I showed it to my friends and art teacher..." The filly's smile grew. "I quickly found out my teacher doesn't like spiders." Aqua giggled. "Not that that stopped me, anyway. well, until she banned me from drawing them in assignments..." Aqua happily sighed, "Good times..."
"Going from drawing to moulding makes sense to me." Cotton looked up in thought. It's been forever since I last made something out of clay... Five or six..? Might join her in that... "I could help you if you want, with that, Aqua. I once played with clay when I was younger."
Aqua looked to Cotton. "Sure! More the merrier, as they say."
Cotton looked down at the metal cube Aqua had been tying to practice the warming spell with. Taking her quite a while to learn... I wonder why... Bring it up with Raven.
Cotton tilted her head as she looked at Aqua.
Do not apologize for taking time providing people with something free. Nobody should feel entitled to it anyway. Have fun writing, we'll have fun reading good luck being a busybody!
More red flags for this filly isn't as old as she appears to be. Sketch work isn't even taught to children in art classes normally until at least junior high (7th-9th year), unless through private lessons/schooling. Especially if she could draw detailed enough to trigger someones phobias (unless the individual is afraid of anything that remotely resembles their trigger)
11349546
Yeah all the red flags that she is older than she appears.
Also nice short chapter.
When you think about it there is a recurring problem in the my little pony universe that the answer to all children is “make friends” without questioning the problems that crop up with available selections at times.
11349526
Thank you.
I've said this before but, I'll say it again. I want to write much much more often than I currently do, and this story is a good way for me to practice that but, even so, I don't write on it enough. I want to write full novels not related to any fandom, and hopefully publish them but, that's quite a ways away when I can only sit down and write once or so a week.
I've been writing this story for a little under a year now; roughly 10 and a half months if I remember correctly. It's been long enough of a commitment that I'd feel wrong to leave this story unfinished either by way of ending it early at the end of a major story beat or simply cancelling it where it stands. It would make me feel horrible for both disappointing readers as well as disappointing myself for not truly finishing the first written story I actually put effort into.
I've spent many a morning sitting on my front porch deciding what should happen in the far future of this story. I know what I want this story to evolve into but, it's a little bit of a far cry from what the story currently is. Alongside that, I'm not certain if either I would like to write to nor if y'all would. But that's not my main concern, considering how far away it is.
I'm just happy it's working at the moment. And if all goes well, I'll begin to work on this story, twice as much. Thank you all for the support.
11349546
For sketching, there are roughly two types. The first kind is more akin to doodling, with a better name, and then the second is actual sketching, making guidelines for a final illustration.
The first is natural, and the second is, mostly, taught.
As well as someone can dislike a thing without it being a phobia, though that doesn't discount the whole 'being able to draw something detailed enough for someone to recognize it nearing the real thing.'
I'm a little confused about the second dislike thing. Someone must have accidentally disliked it, and then removed it, because it's back to only having one. I'm not complaining, just confused.
For someone who's lived their entire life being blind, excusing the whole 'too big to pick up thing,' I imagine they would be accustomed to it, or at least be able to tell when it's about to happen via hearing. Aqua is not yet accustomed.
11349754
How old do you think Aqua is acting versus, how old she is?
11349763
It's a unique problem; being alone. Simply having friends will fix set problems but having friends is akin to a double-edged sword; it both fixes problems, and causes more. Problems one would have never experienced before and, might then, feel like having none was a better time. However, then the loneliness problems come back and stay.
And sometimes those lonely set, fixable problems don't get solved by getting friends. Sometimes the problems stay or only lessen.
If it weren't a children's show, it'd be baffling how it did not touch upon those subjects. But, alas, it is merely a show for the young, who are not yet prepared for those problems. And that's okay. But that doesn't stop them from existing.
11349843
Physical age? ~8 because lack of cutie mark hasn't been a big deal. Mental age? She's stated things that implies she used to be roughly college age.
11350130
Oh shit, someone guesse-
No, I didn't say anything, why do you ask?
11350643
Makes sense. I'll not reveal her age in the comments, but she is smaller than those around her.
I can easily see how some of what she says comes off as college-age, however.
Just found this and it's incredibly adorable and under-rated. Have another like and I very much look forward to seeing what you do with this!
11358763
Thanks! I'm glad to hear you like it.
The next chapter should be coming out within the next two days if my schedule holds up.