Loki and I

Kids These Days (Part 2) - S1 E31

~
"Flora and fauna, all in bloom,
a moat and a castle, you'll find number two.
Red as blood, the flower of fame,
just remember... it's all in the nickname."
~

"Okaaaay," I sigh, trotting my tiny hooves onto the wooden drawbridge, staring at the flowing water of the moat below, Loki on my left and Zoe on my right.

"Oh, no," Zoe whines, "There's no way we can get to the roses without swimming!"

"Why don't we just swim across?" I suggest.

"I think the current's too strong. The moat is to keep people out, Rose," Loki explains.

I nod my agreement. Zoe huffs a sigh, "How are we supposed to find the gem if we can't even get to the roses? There are thorns, then roses, then water! That's not fair!"

"Uh, duh, we'll just use these," I say, buzzing my small wings, shifting my legs apart so they're a little more obvious.

"But, uh... You couldn't fly until you were in your early teens," Zoe tries to put it delicately.

"That was after you found me," I reply blankly.

"Oh..." Zoe says softly, trying not to say anything wrong, "You never actually told me what happened that day."

I bite my lip, turning away from the group and staring down. "I plan to keep it that way," I speak quickly, trying to ignore the sudden flashbacks that were triggered, "Let's forget it."

I never told anypony about that day. They don't need to know. I don't need to be reminded, either. But it's the only thing that I can even remotely suggest is the reason for my freakishly small wings. That or I was just born a freak. Or maybe both.

"I have no idea what you two are talking about, but okay," Loki nods slowly, "So, do you want to give it a try?" He asks me, gesturing about the flying situation.

"Eh," I shrug, "I'll try."

With that, Zoe pulls my tail like a motor, making my wings buzz loudly. She pulls again and again until it makes me levitate. "Aw yeah," Zoe whoops.

"I believe I can flyyyy," I sing, leaning forward and swaying over the drawbridge, above splashing water, buzzing higher into the air, my wings a blur.

"Quick!" Zoe exclaims, jumping up after me and gripping onto my tail. It makes me dip downwards, closer to the water. I flap my wings harder, gaining more height.

"You're really heavy," I pant.

"Strong enough for one more?" She asks.

I shake my head, "No."

"Loki! Grab on!" She calls to him.

"Um... okay..." Loki mumbles, getting ready to jump, wiggling his butt in the air.

"Wait-!" I shout, but it's too late. Loki leaps up into the air, unconsciously flapping his small-ish wings. He clings onto Zoe's blue tail for dear life, his wings still moving. "Ah!" I cry, the weight too heavy, making me unintentionally edge Loki dangerously towards the wild moat.

He pulls his 'knees' up, his tail being dipped in the water and flowing with the current. "Rose!" He calls a warning.

"My wings are gonna fall off!" I squeal. They feel like they're on fire! "Loki!"

He pulls a determined face as if he knows what he has to do now. "Circular motions," he mumbles to himself, closing his eyes and concentrating. He flaps each small wing individually, eventually making synced, even strokes.