The farther we got from the city, the less dense everything got altogether- less people, less buildings, less signs of civilization in general.

You may be wondering why we didn't just take a train?

Well… coal shortage. Duh. Most consumer train lines have been shut down to prioritize commercial lines- And the few left running are so buttfuck expensive that it's more economical for us to just leg it.

We were currently pulled over on the side of the road- I had to rock a piss and Mamma wanted to stretch her wings for a minute. That done, I was just leaning against the wagon smoking a cigarette. In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have picked that habit back up after being clean for almost 30 years. Mamma was inclined to agree.

“You know, I really wish you’d quit smoking-” Mamma was hitching herself back up to the wagon- “It’s no good for you, it’s a hard habit to break and it’s expensive. You oughta quit while you’re ahead.” Fuck, don’t I know that.

“Yeah, withdrawal’s a bitch. Although, do you really think I’ve ever paid for a cigarette in my entire life?” I gave her a smug smirk and she stopped what she was doing and looked at me. I shrugged and she rubbed the bridge of her beak.

“What am I gonna do with you?” I just chuckled.

“What? They fell off the back of a delivery wagon. All four cartons I brought. Lucky us, huh?” her glare intensified and I took that as my cue to shut the fuck up. Mamma was hooked back up at this point so we started down the road again.

“You know, I was being serious the other night. I really, really don’t want you doing anymore… greasy stuff.” I just snorted,

“It’s not greasy, it's survival!” Evidently, she was starting to pick up on my lingo.

“I’ve literally heard you call that stuff greasework before!”

“There’s a difference! It’s greasy when I’m doing it for fun. I’m doing it because if I go too long without a cigarette, I’m gonna snap.” Ma just groaned.

“I swear, when we get to Equestria I am taking you to a doctor and we are gonna wean you off that junk.” I just rolled my eyes, and mom snapped back saying,

“And don’t you roll your eyes at me, missy!” I admit, I jumped a little. “You better be ready, because I am not gonna be nearly as lenient as before! While I have always respected your individual wants and freedoms…” she looked around briefly, making sure no-one was nearby-

“Someone is dead because I let you go too far!” I just raised my wings in a gesture that said Alright alright, point taken.

“Alright, look. I’ll try to cut back,” I said as I popped another smoke into my beak. “After this one. And you’re still on about that guy? That was like a week ago!” She slapped the back of my head with a wing, causing me to accidentally spit my cigarette out into the mud, ruining it.

“Leona, for fucks sakes! I’m still seeing that everytime I close my eyes!” her hand was gesturing wildly around, “Do you know why I ran that night?” I just looked at her, a lump forming in my throat.

“Because I was afraid! Afraid of that man, afraid of the guards… For fucks sake, afraid of you, Leona!” I let out a shaky breath.

“I saved our asses, you can’t deny that! Not to mention, if we didn’t have the money from our more successful jobs, we’d be fucking homeless and you’d still be out hookin’!”

“And that’s what horrifies me! If it meant a good payday, how many more would you kill!?” A lot. I have killed a lot for a good payday- “Would you kill me if it meant you’d get paid for it?” My eyes widened in… shock? Disgust? I don’t know.

“No! No, I would never!” My breathing began to intensify- “I will fucking brutalize anyone who even fuckin dared lay a finger on you!” my voice began to crack fiercely, tears rolling down my face as though the mere idea itself were a tragedy… Would I hurt her if it meant a good payday? Just… just the thought hurts I guess. She spoke up.

“And that’s what terrifies me. Whether you mean well or not, you are fucking terrifying, Leona.”

And I couldn’t deny it one bit.

“Mamma…” I sniffed, “You’re all I have in this world. Without you, I am nothing but another twisted fucking psychopath for them to throw in a cell.” And it was true. Mamma put a wing around my back and I leaned into her side, regaining my composure a bit.

“Sweetie, you’re not nothing. No matter what happens, you are the world to me.” she let out a deep sigh. “It’s just… What you did was wrong. Plain and simple.”

After a few moments of silence, she spoke up.

“Look, when we get to Equestria, I want you to promise me something.” I just sniffled and looked up at her wordlessly.

“Make some friends. And I don’t mean associates or business partners, I mean real, honest to goodness friends. That’s all I ask.” I blinked and thought about it. I really don’t have any friends, do I? In retrospect, did I ever have any real friends? I had The Family back on Earth, but were any of them real friends? I know one of them definitely wasn’t, the rat bastard.

“You’re right.” I gave her a weary smile. “I’ll try and make some friends.” She gave me a warm smile.

“I love you, sweetie. I just want you to have a normal childhood. Please, don’t force yourself to grow up faster for my sake or anyone else's.” Something tells me that she’s speaking from experience.

“I won’t, Mamma.” I pulled out another cigarette and lit it.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” She deadpanned and I shrugged.

“What? I like to smoke when I get all emotional like that.” Among other situations.

She just facepalmed.

---

The skies were nearly black and the rumble of thunder rang out in the distance- So Mamma and I were literally hauling ass to find shelter. It felt like we’d run for a mile when finally we came across a quaint little homestead.

It was an adorable, barbie-doll looking house painted pastel pink and covered in heart motifs, and even had a front porch with a table. I pointed at it and Mom gave me a pat on the back.

We approached slowly- and I had my dagger ready in its holster. Just in case.

“Let me do the talking.” I said to Mamma. Knocking on the door, I was pleasantly surprised to see an old, light pink earth pony mare- apparently she was surprised as well.

“My, my- we don’t get many travelers out this way.” she gave me a warm smile and I gave her the best adorable look I could.

“Hello ma’am! My Mamma and I were wondering if we could wait out the storm here for a bit?” Thunder rumbled in the distance and I prayed the answer would be yes. I felt relieved when she gave me a smile.

“Of course, dearie.” She looked over to Mamma- “If you’d like, you can park that wagon in our barn over there.”

We did just that, and the first droplets of rain began to fall.

“Eustace!” the old woman yelled into the house- “Put tea on! We got guests!”

Mamma spoke up- “Oh no, we couldn’t-”

“Oh, nonsense dearie. Have a seat, take a load off.” Personally, I wasted no time doing such a thing.

Their living room looked like your average grandmother’s house, but it seemed extra-frilly somehow.

“You know, I don’t think we’ve properly introduced ourselves.” Mom flashed me a glare and I shrugged. Smiling at our lovely host she said,

“I’m Amelia, and this is my daughter, Leona. We’re really grateful you let us stick around for a bit.” the old lady shrugged.

“Oh, nonsense, dearie. We’re always happy to help travelers in need.” she took a seat on one of the loveseat, “My name’s Sugar Magnolia, but you can call me Maggie.” Mamma took a seat next to me on the other couch and I spoke up finally.

“Well, it’s good to meet you, Miss.” politeness was never my strong suit so it felt forced, but Mamma hasn’t smacked me with a wing yet so I must be doing something right.

“Mamma and I are on our way to Manehattan!” My voice was full of childlike wonder, and to be frank it kind of was. The old unicorns eyes lit up,

“Ohhh, you’re on your way to Equestria? How delightful!” I nodded my head.

Suddenly, a griffon about as old as Maggie walked in holding a hot kettle. He set it on the coffee (or was it tea?) table and poured some for who I presumed to be his wife.

“And this is my husband, Eustace.” The old man seemed… a little grumpy, not even gonna lie. Regardless, he put a wing around his wife. He simply nodded and hmm'd a confirmation.

And so, we basically sat around, drank tea, and shot the shit as the rain poured down. Except Eustace- he was content with staying quiet.

Eventually, he decided to speak.

“Goin’ out for a smoke.” And those were words that were music to my ears. Wordlessly I hopped off the couch to follow him.

“And just where are you going?” I looked back and shrugged.

“I like to watch the rain.” Technically not a lie. It’s relaxing.

I didn’t even look back for a response.

---

Amelia just buried her head in her hands.

“I am such a terrible mother.”

“Now just wait a minute!” Maggie spoke up, startling her. The aged unicorn took her seat next to the griffon. “What makes you think that?”

Amelia just had a bitter look on her face.

“She’s going out to smoke, too.” she started to rub the bridge of her beak. “I gave her too much freedom growing up and I’m paying the price for it.” she let out a deep sigh. Maggie just put a hoof around her back.

“Talk to me, hun. What do you mean by that?”

“Well… Leona is a brilliant little hen. Do you know how old she was when she said her first words?” Maggie just smiled, urging her to keep going.

“Two months!” Maggie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And her first words? She told me to shut the fuck up because I was thinking out loud! And she didn’t mean to say anything either, she admitted as much.

“At two months old, she was reading through my highschool textbooks and jotting everything down with nearly perfect handwriting! She helped me with my algebra homework- at two months old!” she stated the fact in earnest, as though she couldn’t believe it herself.

Then she noticed the odd look she was getting from Maggie.

“I… I realize that sounds insane but it’s all true. Either way- when she was growing up, I always thought… Goodness, it feels terrible to say, but I thought she’d do great things! That she’d wanna make the world a better place!” She wasn’t sure why she was basically ranting to this lady she just met- perhaps she’s just glad to have anyone to talk to.

“But… but all she wants to do with her life is break the law, all because she finds it fun!” Her biggest regret, perhaps, is the fact that she allowed Leona to continue with her dirty work knowingly- though she’d never admit that fact that she allowed it out loud. “I’ve tried to stop it, but no matter what I do she’s always going behind my back!”

Surprisingly, Maggie chuckled.

“You want my advice?” Amelia looked over to her and tilted her head.

“Don’t settle in Manehattan. That city has a high population- and it’s easy to become another face in the crowd.

“No, what you want to do is move somewhere comparatively tiny. After all- it’s hard to break the law in a town where everyone knows your face.”

The mother’s eyes widened- “You… you’re right. That sounds like a fantastic idea!” for the first time in a long time, she had hope that she could actually do this.

“My recommendation? Move to Ponyville. It’s a real small farming town, the population can’t be more than 300. In fact, I reckon that by the time you’d get there, the Apple family’ll be hiring extra help for their fall harvest.” Amelia’s smile grew wide.

---

I followed Eustace out to the porch, and I grabbed a patio chair and sat not too far from the miserable ol’ bastard. I heard the telltale sign of a lighter being a piece of fuck and not working- so I offered up mine.

Wordlessly, he nodded his thanks and lit his smoke. I did the same to mine and he looked over at me.

“What?” Was all I said.

“You smokin’ Marelboro’s?” I hmm’d in response. He nodded in approval.

“Good taste.” I smiled and nodded.

We both sat there, smoking our cigarettes and watching the rain pour down. I really wasn’t lying when I said I liked to watch the rain- it honestly soothes me. I decided to break the silence.

“Man, it’s really rainin’ horsecocks out there, ain’t it?” For the first time that night, I saw Eustace crack a grin.

“Suppose it is.”

Evidently, Eustace wasn’t much one for talking. I can respect it.

---

Eventually, the rain died down the next morning. Thankfully, the couple were totally fine with Mamma and I crashing on the couch. Mamma tried to give them some money as thanks, but Maggie politely declined- So I paid Eustace a pack of smokes instead. He gladly accepted.

Mamma was all hitched up and we were about to make our leave when we were stopped by Maggie one last time.

“Oh, by the way!” she said, handing Mamma a letter. “When you get to Ponyville, would you mind giving this to my cousin? Her name’s Scarlet Begonia- she works at the hospital there.”

“For what you did for us? I feel like I’m ripping you off as it is. Of course I can deliver it!” Mamma took the letter and put it in her side bags- then we were off.

Ten minutes down the road, I asked Mamma- “Where the heck is Ponyville?” and she just smirked at me.

“Maggie convinced me to… have a change of heart. It’s still in Equestria, mind you.” I just cocked an eyebrow. “You’ll love it there!”

“What’s it like?” I asked.

“It’s a surprise!” and that scared me.

---

Let me tell you- it’s been about a week since we last saw proper civilization, and I was getting awfully tired of canned food. So when we finally came upon a small farming village, called Bristle, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat. I grabbed Mamma’s arm excitedly, pointing at the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen- at least in a week.

“Look, look!” She stopped and looked at the sign outside of the local inn.

“Hot hamburg sandwiches?” She cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Equals hot- pull the fuck over, I’m starvin’!”

“Sweetie, do we really have time for that?” what the actual fuck kind of question is that?

“Come ooooon! It’s getting late anyways, might as well stick around here for the night instead of setting up camp again!” I nudged her with an elbow- “And don’t tell me you’d rather have canned ravioli for dinner again!” I looked up at her and gave the best puppy dog eyes I could- “Pleeeease Mamma?”

Evidently, it worked.

“Ohhh, alright.” she had a faint smile and I yelled out,

“Yayy!” I was literally jumping for joy!

The town we were in was a small, very British looking town with stone brick buildings, a stone bridge going over a short creek- and the pub was no different.

We parked the wagon outside and locked it up. The inside of the pub was as British as you’d expect. I noticed that as a running theme, lately- ever since we crossed the border into Nalot, the overall design cues of each town started to shift from that odd medieval-ism to a more… west country type of vibe, I think.

“Oi thah, trav’lers! Whot cun I get ya’s?” That was the first thing the barmaid said to us. Her accent was… legible. Enough.

We took our seats at the bar, “Can we get two hamburgers and… how about a cider?” Mamma spoke up, and I was a little surprised- but also couldn’t blame her for wanting a proper drink.

“I’ll just take an applejuice on the rocks, if you would.” the barmaid gave a hearty laugh. Much to my surprise, she actually poured me an apple juice in a rocks glass- I said it as a joke, but I wasn’t complaining.

We both had our drinks and the barmaid walked away to let the cooks know what we were getting. As she walked away, I noticed Mamma looking at… a certain asset. She had a look in her eye that I recognized immediately- and I don’t fully blame her.

“You seein’ somethin’ you like?” I whispered to Mamma, and she blushed fiercely, lightly slapping the back of my head with a wing. I just giggled.

“I didn’t know you swung both ways, Ma.” I gave her a teasing elbow, “You thinkin’ about gettin’ back in the dating game, huh?” she gave me a side glance and said through a gritted beak,

“Shush.” the barmaid came back, and she immediately looked down.

“Oi, yer lookin’ awf’lly red thah!” she said, and I found the perfect opportunity to fuck with Ma.

“I think my Mamma likes you, ma’am!” Immediately, she began to stammer out-

“N-no, you see, the-the cider, makes me blush, you know how alcohol is-” The barmaid gave a knowing smirk, looking at the untouched glass of cider. Mamma went to cover her face with her wings, and the barmaid leaned over the counter.

“Ya know, ya ain’t lookin’ too bad yerself.” Mamma’s eyes widened and I struggled to contain my laughter. “Muh shif’ll be endin’ soon- If’n ya’d like, we cun getta room- ya know, getta know us a bit, eh?”

“Oh, I-I couldn’t, my daughter-” I decided to interrupt-

“But Mamma! You’re always tellin’ me how important it is to make friends!” At first I was just fuckin around, but now… Eh, Mamma deserves to get some every now and again.

When she’s not getting paid to do it, that is.

“Yer girlie’s roight!” She leaned towards Mamma- “Name’s Penelope. Oi’m always lookin’ ta make new friends, eh?”

“If’n ya like, we can meet upstai’s in, say… an hou’a er so?” Mamma glanced at me and I nodded my head quickly.

“Y-yes… yeah, that does sound fun. Name’s Amelia.” Penelope leaned in and smooched her on the cheek, saying-

“Nevah gotta meet a Fuh’tilian befoah!” Penelope gave a chuckle and Mamma downed her cider, her face looking redder than I’ve ever seen it.

“Well, ya dinnah’s about’ta be ready for ya’s!” She went into that backroom and I just gave Mamma a smug look. She just groaned in annoyance. Through a gritted beak, she said-

“Don’t judge me, I’m in heat right now. You’ll understand when you’re older.” I just shrugged.

“I ain’t sayin’ nothin. You deserve to get you some, what with how hard you’ve been workin’.” she rubbed the bridge of her beak.

“And while you’re uh… making friends, I’ll ask the owner if he needs help with any odd jobs, make a little extra loot on the side.” Mamma nodded slowly, apparently not being all there.

“Also, make sure to put a towel on that seat before you leave.” she slapped the back of my head with a wing for that one. Well, at least I knew she was still listening.

Penelope handed us our dinner and went off to serve the other patrons. Mamma spoke up-

“You know, I… I’m not feeling as hungry.” I just snorted.

“For food, maybe.” I managed to dodge the wing this time.

---

About an hour later, Mamma went upstairs and I asked the bar’s owner if there was anything I could do for some extra loot- so I was going around bringing everyone their drinks and food. The bar really started to get busy- evidently everyone was done working for the day.

It was actually a pretty good gig- I used my cuteness to my advantage, and was making decent loot off tips and stuff.

It ain’t much, but it’s honest work- never thought I’d ever say that unironically. Eventually, I saw Mamma walk down the stairs with a face that made her look like she just smoked a bowl and her head feathers looking like a wild mess- evidently, she had a good time.

The bar was poppin’ off by now- the crowd was starting to swell and the band was singing in gibberish I couldn’t understand, but apparently the locals understood perfectly. I could barely make out the chorus- it went something like… Thee’s got’n where thee cassn’t back’n Hassn’t- whatever the actual fuck that’s supposed to mean.

It was oddly catchy though.

“So, did you two become good friends yet?” I asked my Mamma and she slowly nodded. Penelope just started laughing.

“Sump’n like tha’!”

Just then, someone from the crowd spoke up.

“Oi, lemme tell ya’s!” he yelled, his booming voice getting everyone’s attention. “Oi’m willin’ ta bet tha’ Oi cun outdrink just abou’ any’un heah!” quiet murmurs started to erupt from the whole joint, and I smelled an opportunity to make some more loot.

“I bet my Mamma can outdrink you any day of the week!” All eyes turned towards Mamma and I, and she started to blush.

“Oh, no, I… I couldn’t!” I had a feeling that if all the eyes weren’t on us I would’ve had to dodge a wing. I elbowed her.

“C’mon, Mamma! You’ve got Gramma’s blood in you!” She looked from side to side, and Penelope spoke up.

“Ya know… If’n ya win, we cun do ‘ound two in tha morn!” Her eyes widened and she wasted no time.

“Alright, I’ll do it!” I just started cracking up and Mamma glared at me.

“I’m willing to bet 20 bits on my Mamma!” I spoke up, and that got the ball rolling.

We got it set up so there was a table directly in the middle of the pub- Mamma on one side, and the guy on the other. In the middle of the table was a sizable pile of coins that would be given to the winner of the “duel.”

One of the barmaids brought out two big, brown jugs. You know, of alcohol. I asked Penelope,

“So what’re they drinking, anyway?” She gave me a smile.

“Scrumpy, a’ course!” I just tilted my head in confusion.

“It’s a coidah- a strong ‘un at tha’.” That was all I needed to know. Not gonna lie, I found her voice a bit irritating. I can only imagine how she’d sound in bed.

Mom didn’t have to imagine, though.

And so, the night went on- and the combatants continued to drive the booze into ‘em.

Eventually, they were almost down to the bottom of their second jug. Slowly, Mamma lifted a shot to her beak- and with a smirk, knocked it back slowly; they were both nearing their limit.

Suddenly, her eyes started to close, her head nodding slowly. Come on, Mamma, you got this! I brought my hands to my beak, almost unable to watch, when suddenly-

“A. Ah’m good!” she looked back up with a start, her voice slurring heavily. She had a wide, dopey grin on her red face.

“YEAAAHHH, COME ON MAMMA!” I yelled, the crowd cheering her on as we went. If she won, we stood to make a decent amount of loot. The crowd quieted down as her opponent reached for another shot.

Slowly, he brought it to his beak- and knocked it back slowly. With a smug grin, he set the glass down- then started to tip over slowly.

THUD!

My smile felt ten miles wide as the crowd erupted into cheers. Penelope was quick to pull up to Mamma’s side, leaning into each other for support as I scooped our earnings into a sack.

Penelope, thank fuck, helped me bring Mamma back to their room. Thankfully, they had the foresight to change the sheets earlier- but I still claimed the sofa as my own.

“Ya shor ya’re awright wit me bein’ heah?” I just shrugged, saying-

“Eh, don’t worry ‘bout it. She deserves it, ya know?” Oddly enough, Penelope giggled.

“Ya’ve both got funny accents, ya kno’ tha?” I tilted my head at her in confusion.

“What you talkin’ ‘bout? Dis’ just how I talk, I ain’t got no accent!” she just continued to laugh and I just rolled my eyes as I counted our winnings.

“That aside, I appreciate you spending time with Mamma. She doesn’t get out much, ya see?” Penelope just shrugged. “Dad left before I was born, and she’s been by herself since.” she simply nodded.

“Ah, I feel ya’ there.” Just then Mamma, who I thought was asleep, decided to chip in her thoughts on the matter.

“Bah, fuck ‘em! You shaid it ya’self, he’sh a deadbeat anyway!” she was so hammered she couldn’t even sit up by herself, so she just laid there on her side. I just chuckled.

“Now you’re learning.” She just snorted, eyes seemingly going unfocused.

“Ah, dat yellow fucker. ‘E washn’t even tha’ big!” I just snorted, paying her no mind. “Da fuckin… nerve a him!”

“You said it.” Just agree with whatever she says, she’ll go to bed eventually. Just like dealing with Gramma.

“Fuckin… fuck him. Fuck tha’ guy… knockin’ me up n’ leavin’ me wit… wit a little bahstad!” The feathers on my neck stood stock straight and my eyes widened. Penelope, who was otherwise silently reading, gasped aloud.

“Woah woah woah, Am!” she slapped the back of her head- “watch yer beak!” I lost count of the money.

“Ah mean, I nevah… nevah really wanted a kid, really…” the booze started to kick in- she started dozing off. “Ya know, ah wuz gonna git rid of ‘er, but Gramma shaid she’d… she’d…” I then heard snoring and a chill went down my spine. I got off the chair and climbed on the bed, trying to shake her awake.

“Mamma! Mamma, please tell me you’re joking!” I mean, I’ve said pretty stupid jokes like that before while drunk… My sense of humor has always been fucked like that. A lump formed in my throat, tears threatening to spill as I tried to wake her. She just kept snoring.

Evidently, she passed the fuck out. I was shaking terribly, my breath uneven. I’ll be honest- I’ve felt like such a crybaby lately and I hated it. I tried, I really did try and keep myself together in that moment.

“Aww, kid…” Penelope wrapped a wing around me. “Ah don’ think she meant it. We all say odd things when we’re drunk.” Her voice sounded… clearer than before. As if she was trying her hardest to speak as eloquently as possible for my sake. I just turned and lowered my head, choking back a sob as hard as I could.

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t hold it back anymore.

I just feel so fucking pathetic. Why does it hurt so much? Am I a hypocrite? I even remember thinking to myself if I was in her shoes, I’d try to drink the fucker out. How was this any different?

I don’t think it was any different, but it just hurt so. Fucking. Bad.

---

The next morning, Amelia awoke to a pounding headache. She remembered there being a drinking contest- and not much after that. She looked around the room and smiled warmly when she saw the familiar face of Penelope, sitting on the chair and reading a book.

“Mornin.” she slowly started to get out of bed and Penelope looked up at her with a smile. She slowly closed the book she was reading.

“Bout time ya got up.” she got out of the chair, meeting her one night stand half way. “Gimme yer cheek.”

Amelia obliged with a dopey smile, expecting a good morning kiss on the cheek. What she got was a Nalotian kiss instead.

SLAP!

“Ow, what the fuck!?” Penelope looked at her with a look of utter fury in her eyes. She pointed a finger at her chest.

“You… you’ve gotta’ lot of apologizing to do!” Amelia was taken aback by this.

“What… what are you talking about?” She felt so confused- just what did she say to offend her one-night lover so much?

“Well… Ya started talkin’ bout yer ex.” was that it? “Say’s he’s got’n some nerve, leavin’ ya wit a bastahd.” Amelia’s eyes widened, shaking her head slowly.

“N-no… no I would never-”

“Then ya said ya neva’ wan’ed kids.” her heart sank, a lump forming in her throat. “You was sayin’ tha if’n ya had tha choice, ye’d’ve got’n rid o’ ‘er!” she lowered her head into her hands.

“No.. no I…” She looked up suddenly. “Where is she?”

“Say’d she was gone out fer a smoke, bout an hour ago. Down tha hall.” she nodded and began to run.

“Oh, by tha way. Yer tab’s downstairs.”

She barely paid her any mind.

---

I was almost down to the last couple smokes in my pack when Mamma came rushing out.

“Fuck off.” my voice was hoarse from the chain smoking. I’d barely noticed how low I was until she came out.

“Sweetie, I’m sorry!” she yelled, snatching me into a hug. “I-I didn’t mean to say those things!” tears rolled down her face and she was panting. I’d already cried all my tears by this point.

I just let out a deep sigh.

“Were they true?” she looked taken aback. “Those things you said. Were they true?” she glanced off to the side.

“At one point but… but that was a long time ago!” I flicked another cigarette butt into the dirt below. “And don’t think it’s not something I regret to this day!” that lump started to form in my throat again.

“And do you think that makes it hurt less?”

“No, it doesn’t! I know it’s not right, and I’m sorry!” my breathing started to go uneven. “I’m sorry for saying those things, sorry for ever thinking those things!” tears were rolling down her face freely. “You’re my baby… you’re my everything, my world! I love you with all my heart. I always have, and that’s never gonna change.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I leaned in, burying my face in her chest. The more I thought about it, the more I realized- what does it matter? What does it matter what she thought eight years ago before I was born(again).

“Please… please, can you ever forgive me?” I pulled back and gave a wide, teary smile.

“It’s okay, Mamma. I forgive you.” She pulled me in tight, wrapping her wings around me like she thought I was gonna disappear. I was fine with that. “I get it. Drunk people have no filter- but what you felt a long time ago doesn’t change what we feel now, does it?”

Eventually, we both calmed down.

“Let’s get out of here, Mamma.” I said to her with a weary smile- then she started back inside the building. “Woah, where you goin’?” she looked at me confused.

“To… to pay for our tab?” I just snorted.

“Fuck that. I was working for peanuts all night for that bastard.” I started towards the balcony. “The loot’s already on the wagon ready to go.” I gave her a smug smirk. “I figured this would happen, so I got a plan ready.”

She looked at me. Then back to the door. Then back to me. Then she grinned. “You’ve always got a plan, don’t you?” I just laughed.

The plan was simple- we just needed a little more money, then we’ll take a boat to Tahiti and become mango farmers!

Wait. What?

We both glided off the balcony, and I began to help Mamma put on the harness as fast as possible.

Just as we got hooked up- I glanced towards the window. Penelope was there, staring wide-eyed at us. I saw her yelling something, and that was our cue.

“MOVE MOVE MOVE!” I yelled, “Head north! Trust me!” Mamma nodded and the chase was on.

So there’s an interesting thing I was reading about griffon psychology vs pony psychology. See, ponies are herd animals at their core- so if they see a couple people running through town, their instinct is to join the stampede; because long before civilization rose, if they saw someone running, that meant there was danger in the opposite direction.

Griffons, on the other hand- are the danger. So when two griffons start running through town, the bystander effect kicks in hard- after all; They must be chasing after prey, and no one wants to get in the way.

So when Penelope and the tavern owner started chasing us, people started clearing a path.

I love psychology. Mamma was hauling ass and I was sitting in the back of the wagon. They were gaining on us, so I dug through the wagon for our salvation- just a quick little drink, you know?

I saw the stone bridge approaching, and that would be our ticket to freedom. The bridge isn’t very wide, after all- and only goes across a small river.

I grabbed a bottle of pure grain alcohol out of the wagon, with a liquor soaked rag as a stopper.

We were almost at the bridge. I lit the rag with my cigarette lighter.

“HAVE A FUCKIN DRINK, ASSHOLES!” I slammed the bottle onto the bridge just after we crossed it, and I saw our two assailants struggle to stop- it would be impossible, they didn’t have enough time; so they opted to jump in the river instead.

“SO LONG, FUCKERS!” I raised up two middle fingers- “YOUR APPLEJUICE SUCKS AND YOUR ACCENTS PISS ME OFF!”

Mamma kept running for a while until we were sure they had given up. She slowed to a stop and pulled off to the side of the trail we were on.

“So much for not doing greasy stuff anymore.” Was all I said. Mamma undid the harness and was leaning her back against the wagon. I sat next to her, leaning into her side. She took a deep breath and said,

“We are so fucked up.” I just snorted.

“Ain’t that the truth.” After a few seconds, I spoke up with a smile. “I love you, Mamma. You’re the best mother anyone could ask for.”

She simply smiled and put a wing around me.

Man, we just can’t stay mad at each other.

FAMILY DRAMA!
No one's perfect, right? Well, that concludes... part of their journey. They still got a long way to go, though. I wonder what Ponyville is like? :3
Not gonna lie, I think I about had a stroke writing the dialogue for Penelope. Someone remind me to never do that again.
Also- this is probably the best approximation I can find for how Leona and her mother speak

As always, thank you for reading! Likes and comments are encouraged and appreciated greatly :3