“C’mon Sparkler! Last one there’s a rotten cupcake!”

Sparkler sighed to herself as she trotted after Dinky.  The smaller purple unicorn pranced ahead on the road, cheering in a singsong voice.

“The school will still be there in five minutes,” Sparkler said, ambling along the path and eyeing a passing stallion approvingly.  The pony in question flushed and walked a bit quicker.

Dinky galloped over to her sister.  “Why’d he turn all funny red like that, sis?”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older, squirt,” Sparkler said with a slight smirk, ruffling Dinky’s mane.

Dinky pouted.  “Aw…but that’s what Daddy keeps telling me whenever I ask him about all the fun stuff he does on Hearth’s Warming Eve.  And something about specials.  And then, when I asked Mommy where fillies come from, she laughed at me!”

Sparkler snorted.  “Heh.  You’ll be fine, squirt.  What’re you so excited about, anyway?”

“Ooh!” Dinky gasped.  “Me and Pipsqueak are gonna play Pirates today during recess!  And, uh, Sweetie Belle said I could have one of the cool capes that she and Scootaloo play with if I gave her one of Mommy’s special muffins!”

“So that’s why you were so quick to leave once you got your hooves that basket,” Sparkler said with a raised eyebrow, eyeing the basket balanced on Dinky’s back.

Dinky looked a bit guilty.  “Well…I know they were supposed to be for tea-time tonight…but it’s just one!  I’m sure Mommy’s won’t miss it.”

“This is Mom we’re talking about,” Sparkler said.  “And a muffin.  Put two and two together, Dinky.”

Dinky cocked her head to the side, still trotting beside her sister..  “Huh?”

“Never mind.”  Sparkler just groaned.  “All right, all right.  Let’s keep going, or else you really will be late.”

“Oh!  Right!”

“Hey!” Sparkler cried as Dinky sped off into the distance.  “I didn’t mean to run off like that!”

“Can’t catch me!” Dinky sang out, giggling.

Sparkler narrowed her eyes, a thin smile crossing her face.  “So you want a race, huh?  I think I can help with that.”

With a kick of her hooves, Sparkler took off galloping, kicking up dust and clouds of dirt in her wake.  “Coming through!” she shouted as she barreled past her younger sister.

“Hey, no fair!” Dinky yelped, and redoubled her own pace.

The two ran across the last green hill before town, laughing happily together until they crossed over into the outskirts of town.  The little red schoolhouse stood proudly as the bell atop its roof chimed to announce the day’s beginning.

Sparkler and Dinky stopped some distance away, panting and slightly sweating.  Down the path, they could see a small, brown-and-white colt waving excitedly in their direction.

After a moment, Dinky giggled and brushed herself off.  “See you later, Sparkler!”

“Dinky…”

The unicorn filly turned around.  “Huh?”

Sparkler smiled softly, something twinkling in her eyes.  

“…Have a good day at school for me, okay?”

“Duh,” Dinky said, as if scolding her sister.  “’Course I will!”

“C’mon Dinky!” Pipsqueak cried from the schoolhouse door.  “We’ll be late for Miss Cheerilee!”

“Right!  Bye again!” Dinky cheered.  She ran off down the path to the school, and immediately started chattering eagerly with her friend.  The pair disappeared through the doors as the bell stopped ringing and the day began.

Sparkler smiled to herself as she watched Dinky go, and then slowly trotted off back home.