Chapter Eighteen: No Longer a Child, Not Yet an Adult

            Reunions were a mix of tears and wonder. The tears were a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happiness to see their lost foals returned safely and alive. But the sadness came from the change in the children. Baby Ribbon was frightened, clinging to her mother as if she was life itself.

            Baby Gusty stood by her mother like a stone; her expression was unreadable. She was obviously pleased to eb home but her eyes held neither joy or sadness. She had her mane draped over one eye and merely nuzzled an hug she received. She wasn't angry, sad or happy. She was stoic.

            "Girls," it was Cupcake that spoke, "Who are your friends?"

            "Patch," the girls introduced themselves one by one.

            "Starlight,"

            "Sweetheart," an embarrassed blush.

            "Melody,"

            "Bright Eyes, pleased to meet your acquaintance."

            "Clover."

            "Bon Bon."

            With the introductions out of the way, the eyes turned to Gusty and Ribbon. Ribbon answered,

            "Tambelon appeared in their time. They are from what was it?"

            Bright Eyes answered, "four hundred and nightly six years into your future…exactly."

            Wind Whistler looked at this girl. She spoke precisely but could only be twelve, if that. Yet she was more like an adult than a ponyling. She caught Wind Whistler looking at her and said,

            "You must be Wind Whistler. My friends informed me that you would be interested in me and me in the same fashion because of our similarities when it comes to intellectual conversation."

            Wind Whistler could not believe it. This girl spoke the same as her. She stole a glance at her friends,

            "I have a feeling that these two are only going to be able to find comfort in their maternal figures, rather than from us, as much as we desire that we could do something."

            Wind Whistler nodded and Bright Eyes said, "Wind Whistler, do you have a library…maybe I can find something out about the next course of action we should take."

            The Pegasus nodded and gently led the girl into the Estate. The other girls looked to their new friends. The girls' mothers made a notion that they would probably be best to be alone for now. Melody gazed about and then said,

            "I bet my hair's a mess isn't it?"

            Lofty giggled, "Heartthrob," she said looking at her friend, "you have a kindred spirit."

            The red Pegasus smiled and gently led the earthling girl inside, saying,

            "Well we can fix that, Darling."

            Cupcake started off and Bon Bon followed, saying,

            "Oh, please let me help."

            Clover headed inside towards the pool. She wanted to think.

            Sweetheart stuck by Paradise, intrigued by the white Pegasus.

            Starlight followed towards the library. Patch trotted after Cherries Jubilee as she headed towards the gym.

            "Sweetie, please."

            "No Mom." Baby Gusty said simply. "I'm fine."

            Gusty gave up. She had been trying for hours to get information from her daughter but her daughter was stubborn and sealed her lips. Finally, the unicorn got to her feet, kissed her daughter  and said,

"I should have named you Stubborn. You're not helping by keeping it in, Gusta."

Her daughter made no reply so Gusty bid her goodnight and left.

            Baby Gusty laid down and closed her eyes. She tried to sleep. She was the daughter of Gusty. She was tough, unbreakable.

            But her eye stung. Her heart ached. She knew Tambelon was ruthless…what if…what if it got here?
            she shook her head. It was impossible. But every little sound spooked her. She finally sat up and could take it no longer.

            Sticking her head out first, she saw no one. Relieved, she crept down the hall and into the grown ups quarters. She chose a simple door and opened it.

            Her mother was waiting for her. She ran and leapt onto her mother's bed, falling into her mother's warm embrace, saying,

            "Can...can I stay with you tonight, Momma?"

            "Of course."

            "I was…I was…"

            "Hush," she said sternly but her voice was kind, "I know. You're independent. But you're a child. Let me do my job. Let me be the comforting mother."

            Baby Gusty smiled very faintly and then laid her head into her mother's front hooves and closed her eyes, finally feeling secure.

            She had grown, her mind was older. She was not a naïve little girl anymore…but she was not yet an adult.

            She gave in and let the tears come.