//------------------------------// // Pumpkin Cinnamon // Story: The Noblesse Oblige Part I // by Aquarian_Sage //------------------------------// Noble Heart gazed outside in boredom and then glanced back at his project. Normally, he found history to be one of his more interesting subjects, but this assignment was so unchallenging that he found it impossible to focus on it. “Golden Crown, how is your schoolwork coming along?” their mother asked as she peered over his shoulder to his work. “It’s hard and I hate it. I hate going to school.” “Oh, I know you do, darling, but you must complete your assignments! It would be most unbecoming of a Platinum to not know the basic history of his own nation.” “But it’s hard.” “I know darling." She turned to Noble Heart and addressed with a frigid voice. "Have you been helping your brother with his homework, Noble Heart?" Noble Heart didn’t even bother to open his mouth (or even look) to answer her question. “No!” Golden Crown immediately shouted. “Inside voice, my love,” Sapphire gently admonished. “I’m sorry, mother,” he apologized. “It’s alright, darling. What isn’t, however,” she snapped at Noble Heart, “is the fact that you aren’t helping your own brother. What is it this time, Noble Heart?” He didn’t answer her immediately, but instead inhaled and exhaled softly. “You said it yourself, mother: it would be most unbecoming of a Platinum to not know the basic history of his own nation.” “I know lots of things!” Golden Crown insisted. “I’m passing my history class!” “Only because I’ve been doing your work for you! We’re writing an essay on the history of the holidays, not doing research for university professors, Golden Crown; what’s hard about that? The teacher even gave you the easiest holiday: Hearth’s Warming Eve!” “Enough!” Sapphire Diadem commanded her sons. “Noble Heart, you will help your brother or so help me—” “Can I just do one project for once instead of two? By the gods, I’d like to do something other than read and write all night!” “Noble Heart,” she warned. “Ugh, just forget it!” the rebellious colt shouted in exasperation as he shoved his books in his saddle bags. “Just pay somepony to do it, because I’m done!” “Noble Heart, get back here!” his mother shouted from behind. But he ignored her like always. He burst through the mansion gates into the streets of Canterlot. And galloped out of the neighborhood. By the gods, it was cold, but he didn’t dare go inside for a coat. The autumn chill was far more preferable than dealing with her. The Platinum wandered through the capital city, trying to decide where to go. All around him, Canterlot had put up festive decorations for Nightmare Night: large, laughing pumpkins, enchanted spider webs that would occasionally snare a foal for a moment before letting go, rich, hearty scents billowing out from eateries. The city truly was lovely. Noble Heart shivered again. As pleasant as the sights were, he needed to get indoors and finish his project. The library would suffice. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Unlike just about every other building in the city, the library was fairly neutral during the holiday, and as much as Noble Heart liked Nightmare Night, it was getting somewhat painful annoying to see all the colts and fillies his age laughing and playing with their parents. “Good afternoon, do you need any help?” a librarian asked, pulling him from his reverie. “Huh? No— well, maybe,” he said to the heavily pregnant mare. She smiled at him. “Well, what do you need?” “I think I have everything for my project but I want to maybe look at some other things, Ms…” “Mrs. Twilight Velvet, but please call me Twilight,” she supplied. “What’s yours, young sir?” “My name is... Blue Heart,” he quickly fibbed. It had been awhile since his mother sent off one of their servents to look for him, but he didn't want to take unnecessary risks. “Okay, Blue Heart, what do you need? What are you doing?” “I’m writing an essay on the history of the Summer Sun Celebration for school. I have some books, but could you please show me where to find more in case I need them, Mrs. Twilight?” “Absolutely! Follow me.” Twilight Velvet was helpful and genuinely friendly, and she was even willing to point him out to the grown-up section in case the books she showed him weren’t challenging enough. For brief instant, Noble Heart wondered what it would have been like to have her as a mother. Twilight probably wouldn’t drag him to boring party after boring party, and she certainly didn’t seem like the type to harshly chastise him for not being a vapid, gossiping twit like Golden Crown. It was nice that Twilight actually had a job too, so she wouldn’t constantly be breathing down his neck over every little thing. But he sighed and perished the thought. Twilight Velvet wasn’t his mother and never would be, so he may as well as get started on his project. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) “It’s getting late, Blue Heart,” somepony said from behind him. “Huh?” he asked, pulling up from his book. “Oh, hi, Mrs. Twilight.” “Hello,” she smiled back. “I’m sorry to bother you, but it’s getting late and you’ve been here for several hours. Is the essay you’re writing hard?” He looked down at his scroll. “Not really,” he shrugged. “I finished it awhile back. Now I’m just reading.” She nodded with approval. “It’s good to see a colt your age who’s interested in reading for pleasure. But I’m sorry to say that the library closes its doors to foals at 9:00 and won’t be open again for you until 7:00 in the morning.” “What time is it, Mrs. Twilight?” he asked, looking around for a clock. “It’s 8:50, Blue Heart. Would you like to check out the books you’re reading before you go home?” Noble Heart looked at the texts strewn before him. “Not really,” he finally shrugged. “Well do you mind if I take them back to their shelves?” “Uh, yeah, do what you need to do,” he mumbled, putting his own personal books and papers into his saddle bags. Twilight picked up all the library materials and cast a spell. Instantly, books were teleported back in their places. “There we are,” she nodded in satisfaction. “I’m sorry to kick you out, dear, but rules are rules.” “I understand, ma’am." Yawned and stretched. Twilight yawned too. “I’m glad my shift is over because I’m pretty tired as well. Do you have somepony in here to escort you home?” “No,” he shook his head. Instantly, he berated himself for his blunder. No doubt she would be concerned and want to pry. “No?” she cocked her head, smiling gently all the while. “Would you like me to walk you home, dear? Or do you live close enough that you won’t catch curfew?” “Yeah, I live pretty close, Mrs. Twilight, like, fifteen minutes away. Don’t worry.” “Well, that's a relief,” Twilight Velvet nodded, falling for his lie. “I’ll see you out.” As they walked, Noble Heart couldn’t help but compare Twilight to his mother once again. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time Sapphire called him ‘dear,’ or some other pet name, though she lovingly lavished Golden Crown with such words. He also couldn’t remember having such a calm conversation with her either. Either he or Sapphire would start quipping the other, then arguing, and usually he would even start shouting at her while she hissed at him through her teeth. He glanced at Twilight’s heavy belly and felt a twinge of envy at the foal she was carrying. That baby was so lucky to have somepony as lovely as Twilight as its mother. “Good night, Dusty Tome, see you tomorrow,” she waved by a passing stallion. “Good night, Twilight! I’ll clock you out.” “Thanks!” The mare and colt stepped out into the chilling night and she stretched again. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I’m always happy to leave.” “I feel like that about some of my classes too." Twilight chuckled as she threw on her coat and scarf. “Not a lot of foals your age can say the same thing. Do you have a coat or a scarf, hun?” Noble Heart shrugged. “I forgot it at home.” Twilight tsked. “You’re just like my son, Shining Armor,” she said as she reached into her saddlebags. “He’s always forgetting his coat, and my husband is not much better.” She pulled out a small blanket and threw it over his shoulders. “No, no, no it’s fine, Mrs. Twilight!” He tried to pull off the blanket. “The cold doesn’t really bother me.” “No, no, no it’s not fine, Mr. Blue Heart,” she teased, gently overpowering his magic with her own. “Besides, I don’t mind loaning out a small blanket if it means it’ll spare you from getting sick.” He touched the fleecy material to his cheek. It was so soft, and it smelled like it had just been taken to a laundress. It was nice and humble and gentle, just like her. “Thank you, Mrs. Twilight." “Not a problem, dear. Oh and please call me Twilight when I’m off the clock.” “Okay, Twilight.” “Mommy!” a colt cried from a distance. Twilight perked up. “Shining!” Her grin went straight to her eyes as her son galloped to her. A white colt with a blue mane crushed her in a hug.“Mommy, I learned so much at school today!” “That’s wonderful! Tell me all about it when we go to Pony Joe’s!” she said right before planting sloppy kisses around his horn and cheeks. “What’s up, chunky monkey?” a dark blue stallion asked Twilight. “Eh, same old, same old,” she shrugged as she kissed him on the muzzle. “Ready for work, Night Light?” “Not until I have my coffee. And just who’s this?” he asked, greeting Noble Heart with a friendly smile. “Oh, uh, sorry,” he mumbled, finally realizing that he had been staring. He couldn't remember the last Father called Mother a pet name. Or even the last time he had been kissed. “Oh, nonsense! This is Blue Heart. I helped him find some books for a school project he was doing today.” “Well how do you do?” Twilight's husband grinned extended his hoof. “My name is Night Light and I teach astronomy for the university. This is our son, Shining Armor, and he’s in level three.” “Hello, sir. Hi, Shining Armor,” he shook each of their hooves. “Hi!” Shining beamed. “Wanna come with us to Pony Joe’s?” “Oh that sounds like a great idea!” Twilight agreed. “Blue Heart was such a trooper today. He came in at four and all the time he was there, I never once saw him leave his spot. You must be starving!” “Oh, um,” he fumbled with his words. Now that he thought about it, his stomach was painfully empty. “What’s Pony Joe’s?” he stalled. “Pony Joe’s is the best!” Shining Armor chimed in. “He makes the best donuts and pastries and bagels and hot chocolate and, and—” “Calm down, there sport,” Night Light laughed as he gave his son a noogie. “Yes, what do you say, Blue Heart?” Twilight asked. “Would you like to come with us? We like to go there every evening after my shift and before his.” “I really shouldn’t…” the Platinum mumbled. “Please, please, please?” Shining pressed. “It’ll be fun! Pony Joe’s is the best!” “Now, now, Shining, don’t be rude,” Night Light warned. “No means no. If his family wants him home by a certain time, we need to respect that.” Noble Heart thought about his family: his distant father, his overbearing mother, his insufferable twin; and he thought about how when he got home to their Canterlot mansion, they’d either give him the silent treatment if he was lucky (which he hardly ever was), or immediately start criticizing him for his outburst. “No,” he finally decided. “I think I’d love to go to Pony Joe’s with you.” Shining’s eyes lit up. “Alright!” he cheered, “let’s go!” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Noble Heart stared at the humble scenery in curiosity. This wasn’t the first time he had ever been to a restaurant (if this could be called such), but it was the first time he had ever been to a place like this. “Hey, if it ain’t the Sparkles!” a beefy stallion greeted them from behind the counter. "How was your shift today, Twi?” “I made a new friend today! I would like you to meet Blue Heart.” ‘A friend?’ When was last time anypony had given him such a title? When had he ever given anypony such a title? “Hey, how you doing there, squirt?” Pony Joe asked. “Hello, sir,” Noble Heart said quietly. “A shy one, eh?” Joe grinned. “Aw, don’t worry, buddy. As long as you ain’t a pastry, I won’t bite you.” Everypony except Noble Heart laughed. “So what’ll it be tonight? The usual?” Joe asked. “Same old, same old for me,” Night Light nodded. “Two bagels, one with pumpkin cream cheese, the other with egg, lettuce, tomato, and cheese, a banana chocolate chunk walnut cookie, and an uncaffeinated spiced chai,” Twilight rattled off. “Half a pumpkin cinnamon bagel for me!” They all looked expectantly at Noble Heart. “I've never tried anything here. I guess I’ll have he’s having,” he quickly answered, not wanting to hold them up. “You’ve never—!” Pony Joe exclaimed aghast. “Well, son, I can guarantee you’ll be wanting to come back after tonight!” Noble Heart smiled awkwardly, unsure of what else to do. “Margie! Come on, babe, we got customers to feed!” “I heard!” a mare shouted from the kitchen. “Well let’s have a seat,” Night Light said as he ushered everypony to a large booth in the back. “So what did you learn in school today, Shining?” Twilight asked her son. “Oh, Mom, it was great—!” Noble Heart watched the family interact, and once again he couldn’t help but feel envy towards the foal in Twilight’s womb. Everything about them was just so… perfect: the doting father, the invested mother, even the hyper but amicable Shining Armor. He cocooned himself further into Twilight’s blanket. A far cry from what he was expecting tonight. Night Light placed half of a pumpkin cinnamon bagel in front of him. “Here you go, Blue.” “Thank you, Mr. Night Light.” “Mr.?” he laughed. “Night Light’s just fine, son.” “Sorry, sir.” “Wow, you sure are fancy, Blue Heart,” Shining noted, his mouth full of bagel. Twilight rolled her eyes. “Now if only you were the same.” Noble Heart thought back to his mother. She’d do far worse to him or Golden Crown if they spoke with their mouths full. He picked up the bagel with his magic, straining to keep it steady as he took a bite out of it. The bread was heavier than what he was used to, and the flavors weren’t as nuanced or layered as the things he usually ate, but he liked it. The bagel was simple, filling, and without pomp and circumstance. “Very good levitation there, Blue Heart,” Night Light noted. “That’s awesome! I wish I could do the same!” “Shining, keep your voice down,” his mother gently chided. “Well, I only started casting the levitation spell when I was… how old are you?” “I’m eight.” “Well I learned the basics at eight, so you’re still good.” “You still have remarkable control for your age,” Twilight said. “How old are you, Blue Heart?” “I’m eleven.” “Really?” she asked in surprise. “You act so mature. I thought you were older.” He looked down at his bagel. His teachers would compliment him for his good marks, but he didn’t think a pony had ever genuinely given him a compliment based on his character. “Thank you, ma’am.” “Well, I’m sure you were bored listening to us talk about ourselves,—” “No, no, it’s fine!” “—so why don’t we talk about you? How did your project go?” Noble Heart internally breathed a sigh relief, grateful that Twilight had the tact to not ask anything personal. “It was kinda boring really,” he admitted. “The Summer Sun Celebration isn’t that exciting.” “Did you learn anything new about it?” He shook his head and bit into his bagel, savoring the rich cream cheese. “The Summer Sun Celebration is exactly what it sounds like: a celebration of Queen Celestia conquering the darkness of night.” “Oh, nothing else interesting?” “Not really,” Noble Heart shrugged. “But while I was reading about it, I started wondering why we don’t celebrate the longest night of the year, you know? Since Queen Celestia conquers the darkness of night with the moon and stars.” “That’s what Nightmare Night’s for!” Shining Armor chimed in. “Nightmare Night is not the longest night of the year, kiddo,” Night Light corrected him. Noble Heart nodded. “Yeah, the longest night is around Hearth’s Warming Eve.” “It’s true,” Twilight Velvet agreed. “Nightmare Night used to be the harvest moon celebration, where all the farmers would throw a big party and feast before the Winter set in. But some time one thousand years ago, everypony decided to add the Mare in the Moon into the mix and make her some sort of silly villain.” “Really?” both the colts asked in unison. “You know, it’s funny you mention the Mare in the Moon,” Night Light said. “Somepony found some star charts from the pre-Discordian era—” “What’s the pre-Discordian era?” Shining asked, finishing off his bagel. “It was the time before the reign of Queen Celestia ages and ages ago, love,” Twilight supplied. “Anyway, these star charts are absolutely ancient! And I mean maybe two thousand years old ancient.” “My goodness!” “Is that a lot, dad?” Shining asked. “They’re older than the queen by a long, long time, sport,” Night Light laughed. “So I’m looking at these star charts, and I see one of the moon, and you wanna know something real funny? The moon didn’t have the Mare in the Moon in it!” “Really? Well maybe the astronomer was just being lazy and didn’t paint her in there.” “That’s what I thought, too, but then I decided to go look at some of the old charts, and I noticed something even funnier.” “What?” “The Mare in the Moon is depicted only one thousand years ago. Anything from before that had the moon as blank as a baby’s flank.” “Really?” Twilight repeated in genuine shock. “Well I’ve never seen anything like that before.” “Haven’t you?” Night Light asked. “Or have you simply not looked?” “Oh…” she said, looking down at her tepid tea. “I suppose you’re right. Are you going to research that?” “Unfortunately, I can’t,’ Night Light sighed. “I have classes to teach, and the project that the astronomy department has us doing has me swamped. Maybe in the future, but in the mean time, I’ll tell the department head and see what she has to say about it.” “Wow, it looks like you discovered a mystery, dad!” Shining grinned. “Unfortunately, Detective Fetlock can’t accept this case at the moment, son. Maybe in the future.” Twilight stretched. “It’s getting late,” she commented. “What time is it?” she asked, looking at the clock on the wall. “Oh goodness, it’s 9:50! You better hurry home before curfew sets in, Blue Heart!” He shrugged. “I still have forty minutes, I’ll be fine.” “Should I walk you home, dear?” He shook his head. “No, but thanks for the meal, everypony. Dinner was really good.” “See? Told you that Pony Joe’s the best!” Shining Armor was grinning from ear to ear. “Good night!” Noble Heart thought about what and who was waiting for him back at the mansion. He forced a smile. “Good night.”