Starlight, starbright
By
Neztrolove
Chapter 4: eavesdropping
AN:
hello everyone this is the last set up chapter before we get to the core conflict which means all my faithful readers your patience will be rewarded. I hope you all enjoy and please fave, follow, and comment if you do.
Starlight crept through the house. His hooves making little sound in fear of alerting his parents to his true goal.
He looked around the family closet and found a travel case, perfect.
He took it in his teeth then slowly climbed up the stairs, darting his head back and forth. When he saw that his parents were still in their room as their shadows showed in the lamplight near their bed, he sighed in relief then went to his room.
Starlight went to his cupboard and packed a couple sets of warm clothes, his blanket and pillow, and of course bubby his best friend and support plushie.
His packing completed starlight closed the case, took it in his teeth and walked to the door. He froze when a single thought entered his head.
Where would I go?
Starlight had no friends or other pony relations. He wasnt packing any food and he could barely forage for food so what could he do in the wilderness alone. His hoof shook as he realized that he would just be messing himself up if he ran away.
Plus what would ma think. Sure starlights pa was a hard headed pony but his ma was always on his side and tried to get pa to be more lenient but to no avail. What would she think if he ran away. He frowned and then returned the case to the foot of his bed.
He unpacked, placing all the stuff back in its proper place. He left his room and snuck downstair and returned the case to the family closest then crept up the stairs.
He took one last look at his parents room and saw the candle light was dimming which meant they would be going to bed soon.
Starlight hardened his resolve and then crept up the bedroom. Guilt tearing him up from the inside. Despite not being allowed to leave his parents have given him a lot and he talked horrible to his pa and made a real mule out of himself at the dinner table.
As he was about to knock on the door he heard his parents say something interesting.
"I just don't understand why we cant tell him the truth?" it was ma who said that. Starlight raised an eyebrow and decided to stay where he was and listen in on what they were saying.
"you know why. The seekers are already breathing down my neck about starlight. Do I need to make it worse by allowing him to know about his origins."
what are they talking about? Origins? Seekers? Starlight couldn't believe his ears.
"I guess your right. But do you have to be so hard on him. He is our son." ma asked in a sweet tone. Her shadow rubbing her husbands shoulder.
Pa snorted then took in a sharp breath. "yes I have to be. That boy is growing more difficult to raise the older he gets."
"I wonder why?"
"you don't have to make me feel worse then I already do."
"what harm would one trip to ponyville do? Really?"
"its not even the trip im worried about. Its the excitement, the chance that something will make him lose control and then who knows what might happen if it comes out."
"you cant protect him from his past forever."
"I will for as long as I can. Besides even if I did let him go to the festival and nothing happened. It may be just the proof that red wing needs to call for starlights head."
Ma then snorted a rare act for one so delicate. "seriously what is wrong with that griffon? You two used to be the best of friends before starlight was born now you two hate each other.
"he believes im endangering all of equestria by allowing the boy to live. But when I saw him there alone and scared… I couldn't just leave him to die."
"you did the right thing. Just because he was born by ill circumstances doesn't give them the right to act as executioners. Our starlight is a good kid."
"I wish the seekers thought that way but all they need is an excuse to take starlight down and theyll do it."
"but why? Hasnt he proven to not be like his creators?"
"I don't think theyll ever see him more then a threat to the world." the candlelight was dying ever faster as sunshine sighed. "what am I gonna do with that boy?"
"let him live his life. Give him the chance to prove himself a better pony then both his creators."
"maybe your right… but I cant risk his life on a mere moment of pleasure."
"at the very least tell him the truth about his past. He deserves to know." Delilah pleaded but her husband just snorted.
"no! I cant risk that knowledge awakening whats inside him… tommorrow night im gonna burn those documents in my study and thats final."
"but dear, what if he finds out… wont he resent us?"
"not if he doesn't find out. He is unaware about what we know and thus no need to bring it up. As for starlight ill make it up to him tommorrow but for know I need rest."
"very well, good night dear."
"good night delilah, may celestia have mercy on our souls."
the candlelightt went out and consumed the room in darkness leaving a frozen starlight shaking at the revelation.
What are they hiding? He thought, his eyes never leaving the spot where he watched his parents shadows interact. Starlight snorted and turned around.
Do I go back to my room and pretend not to know anything. He could just go to sleep and live a life without knowledge of his past but what would that do to him. The fear of not knowing his past would haunt him for the rest of his life.
No I need to go to the study. I must know what ma and pa are hiding.
The boy walked down the hallway creeping through the creaking floorboards until he reached the edge of the hall. His dads study where no one was allowed without sunshines direct permission. The boy opened the door slowly and entered… unaware what he was gonna find.