[EEEP I THOUGHT THE RE WOULD POST AGAIN D:]


The glow and the gold was already fading before I even made it to Hototo; something was off. Not that I expected him to jump up and down after seeing me, to make a hue and cry and try to climb all over me like I was some hairy mountain (it’s totally not what I’d do. So. Just sayin’.) I expected the opposite—well, not quite the opposite, something very similar, really. Maybe clamoring backwards away from my happy wrath, totally stricken by me, because that was his thing, wasn’t it? Fillies, fillies, fillies. The boy loved them. (And you know why that’s funny)

He didn’t react differently. He didn’t…react, period, which was the most shocking, most wrenching and downright creepy thing he could have done. I slowed down as I came up to him, whatever goofy expression on my face falling into something more clouded and confused, something suspicious (because that’s what I was becoming, I guess). My brow furrowed as he said “hello” to me, all vague and tapioca, and I shot a quizzical look at Mesec before I looked back up at ‘Toto again, trying to figure out what kind of prank he was trying to pull. It didn’t take me long to latch onto anger to help catch the rapid fall of my spirit.

“Toto….hello?” I was kinda snappy but I couldn’t help it because I was done with dangerous things and Toto was doing something dangerous, painfully dangerous, “I’m Ros? Your lil’ cousin? Y’know, always hanging around Jiji and—“ I blinked rapidly because I hated the territory I was in; he was making me feel foolish for the huge spectacle I performed reuniting with Mesec ‘n all—but at least Bro actually acknowledged me instead of squinting at me like I was a raisin in the sun or something far, far away from him.

My tongue was tied though, since Jiji’s name has that effect; I think I might’ve snorted as I turned away from ‘Toto, looking for a distraction from Hototo’s stupid joke. My eyes happened to fall on the pale grey filly that was still wandering around us like the lost little gnat she was. I don’t know how to talk to kids, ‘kay, which isn’t surprising since I was never talked to like one—well, okay, maybe I was at some point, but I don’t remember all that. I just remembered that Ma treated me all no-nonsense whenever I asked a question, so that’s what I do the kids. Or maybe I’m just talking out my ass because what I really wanted was a way out from this frustrating, embarrassing, painful moment from ‘Toto, in the form of something even more catastrophic pouring from my mouth.

“Hey kid!” I called out to her, kinda brusque and harsh but I’m always harsh so I guess it wasn’t supposed to be that special, “Where’s y’ Ma?” And I didn’t know what I was reallying saying when I said it; I guess I was trying to send the message Go away, I don’t want you here. Go you’re your Ma or something. My feelings are hurt and I don’t want you to see.