Lofty turned around and faced her daughter. The girl was getting older. In fact, Lofty knew it was merely a matter of a few years before she took on her birth name, Soaring. She was beginning to long for adventure, a bit like Lofty could be at times but Lofty was more cautious. Her daughter had inherited her father's headstrong and blunt attitude.
Lofty sighed; it was times like this that she wished her mate was still alive. All the ponies had lost their husband sin the battle that had diminished the witches' numbers. Lofty remembered that her mate had been so thrilled at the thought of being a father. And he had been taken from her, a mere two weeks before Baby Lofty's birth.
"Momma?"
Her daughter's repeated request for her attention jerked Lofty from her memories,
"yes? What is, sweetie?"
"I wanna know when I can fly higher. I'm sick of staying at roof level."
Lofty smiled faintly. She had been similar when she was Baby Lofty's age. She had longed to dive and twist through the clouds as she saw the adults doing. But now that Lofty was grown, she knew why her mother had forbidden it.
"Be patient, sweetie." She answered kindly. "That time will come."
The little Pegasus pouted, "I don't wanna wait."
Lofty knelt to her daughter's level.
"I know how you feel baby. I felt the same way. But your little wings aren't strong enough for the gusts that are up there. You'll be strong enough in a few years but not yet."
Baby Lofty pouted as her mother left for the outside. She plopped down on the couch and said with a scowl,
"Not fair."
"What's not fair?"
The girl looked up and saw Paradise above her. The older Pegasus was kind and all the babies loved her. She was generally very laid back.
"Momma's not fair," Baby Lofty griped.
"What brought this on?"
"I wanna go high!"
Paradise chuckled; this was becoming a familiar dilemma for all the pegasi mothers. Their children had broken in their wings and now they were anxious to use them. Even Heart Throb's daughter, who was generally very mature, unlike her mother was, was beginning to beg for more independence when she flew.
"You will but not yet. I know you kids don't understand but it's too dangerous up there for you just yet."
"Where's Patch?" the child asked, changing the subject, "She's been hanging with you a lot lately."
Paradise smiled in answer, "She's trying to cheer up Baby Gusty."
"How are they?"
Paradise sighed, "I don't know what they saw but they're going to need as many friends as they can get right now."
Baby Lofty got up. "Where are they? I'll go and be a friend, now!"
Paradise smiled, "That's the way. They're at the dance studio."
Baby Lofty flew out of the room.
* * *
Bright Eyes looked at her two new friends. They were watching some of their playmates and Clover do ballet steps but they did not smile. They were laying down and Baby Ribbon was leaning against her best friend's flank. Their mothers looked at them with worry in their eyes. Occasionally, Baby Gusty would touch her horn against her best friend's and the two would light up but even that was brief.
Bright Eyes and Starlight walked over to stand by Ribbon and Gusty. Starlight spoke in her mature and kind voice,
"You two look tired."
The two adults nodded, "Yes, our daughters wanted us last night."
Bright Eyes nodded, "Understandable."
Gusty turned to the two younger girls, "I wanted to thank you girls. I didn't get much from my daughter, not surprising cause she's like me, but I want to thank you for watching over my baby."
"Not a problem, Gusty." Starlight replied, "it was a pleasure."
Clover walked over, "yeah…and she shed some light on some things."
Ribbon looked at Clover. The girl, surprised and embarrassed, turned her face away. Bright Eyes answered,
"Clover has always been klutzy and very fragile. We found out that it was because she was born a flutter pony."
The two unicorns turned to Clover. The pink maned girl did not turn to then but instead focused her eyes on the sky. She said softly,
"I hope that I can shed some light on who I am."
Buttons had been eavesdropping and said, as she walked over,
"Clover?"
"Yes?"
"How would you like to visit Flutter Valley?"