Strings of Fate

Chapter 16: Discussions

After walking for a few minutes in silence, Scootaloo spoke, "Hey, can we talk for a bit?"

"Sure, what is it?" Tempest asked, stopping in her tracks along with the orange filly.

"When Twilight told you about us, did she talk about my wings?" Scootaloo unfurled them and gazed at them, sadness twinkling in her eyes.

"She did, actually." Tempest answered.

"So you already know I'm.... handicapped?" Scootaloo hesitated, closing her wings and staring at Tempest.

"Yeah," Tempest replied, "Just like how I am with my horn."

"Yeah." Scootaloo seemed lost in thought, and Tempest didn't want to prod. Something inside her told her that she should, though.

This has probably been bothering her for a long time, She thought, It would do her some good to talk about it.

"Was there anything you wanted to talk about specifically?" Tempest prodded.

"Kinda." Scootaloo sighed, "Twilight told me about how you haven't seen your parents since you....left."

Tempest's eyes widened. "She....she did?"

Why would she tell her that?

"Yeah," Scootaloo replied, "and I just wanted to tell you that I also relate to that."

"How so?" Tempest asked, "Did you run away, too?"

"No, but both my parents are explorers." Scootaloo explained, "They travel far and wide to discover and study new and bizarre creatures in Equestria. Because of that," Scootaloo lowered her head. "They're usually gone for months at a time, and my aunts look after me."

"Wow," Tempest exclaimed, "You must miss your parents a lot, then."

"Yeah, I do." the orange pegasus scuffed the ground.

"I honestly miss mine, too." Tempest looked down at the filly. "They're probably furious at me for leaving and must have been so worried. I was their only child, after all. I don't even know if I have any siblings I don't know about."

"I'm an only child, too." Scootaloo stated, "With my parents traveling for work and all." She paused and stared at the ground for a moment before weakly yelling, "The whole reason I can't even fly is because my parents are never home."

"Do either of your aunts have wings?" Tempest asked.

"No, one of them does," Scootaloo admits, "but she has bad arthritis in one of her wings, so she's mainly grounded because of how her wing will flare up while flying. Plus, I think my mom wants to teach me..... At some point." Scootaloo kept her head lowered.

Tempest moved closer to the filly, wanting to comfort her, but not sure how to. "I see. I'm sorry to hear that."

We really do have a lot in common.

"I don't hold anything against her." Scootaloo added, "I mean, she's my mom! She can't help that studying new creatures is her passion. Neither of them can. It just sucks." she scuffed the ground again with her hoof.

"Yeah, I bet." Tempest stated, "My parents couldn't do anything with my horn, but I felt like they weren't trying enough, you know? They would try to help me, but at a distance since my magic is so...." Tempest thought for a second before adding, "explosive."

The statement perked Scootaloo up. She looked at Tempest, her eyes shining. "Yeah, but so cool!"

"Really?" Tempest asked, a little taken aback.