Mana opened the door and moved aside to let me in, "Come on, kiddo. Let's warm up for some video games", he spoke enthusiastically but I just felt down. I knew I couldn't help having esotropia, but it still hurt when people gawped mindlessly at me, "Okay, Mana, but... could we maybe watch a film instead? I'm a little tired", Mana nodded, "No problem, kiddo". I stepped into the house and took my coat and shoes off, before walking into the dark living room and turning the T.V. on, "Rosie?". Mana sat down beside me on the couch, before pulling me into a hug, "What's wrong, Rosie? You were okay in the food venue", I wrapped my arms around his chest, "It's nothing new, just people staring at my eyes". Mana tightened the hug slightly, "I thought it would be that. I'm sorry, sweetie, some people are just tactless. I'd pay no mind. Besides, you have beautiful and adorable eyes, Rosie", I smiled lightly, "Thank you, Mana". He kissed my head playfully, "Any time, kiddo. Now, movie time. Oh, damn it! I forgot USG: Equestria 2! Do you have anything in your stash?". I shook my head, "No, my Mom found the stash and confiscated them", Mana groaned, "Your Mom can be irrational at times. Okay, we'll have to search through the plethora of soppy rom-coms and dramas and everything Snow Sweet. Lets just find a sucky comedy and let our minds wander". I leapt over to the DVD drawer and opened it, "No need to, I've already got this comedy thats actually pretty funny". I pulled out Equine Nights and placed it into the DVD player that was built into the T.V., before jumping back onto the couch next to Mana. Mana pulled out the Fathers Day card from his back pocket and placed it on the cabinet next to the couch, "Don't wanna crush it, kiddo". I snuggled up next to him, "Okay, Mana. This is a fairly short film, so we can just watch T.V. till we fall asleep afterwards", Mana wrapped his arms around me affectionately, "Sounds like a plan. By the way, if your Mom and Frost stumble in, they'll be drunk out of their minds so just ignore them". The opening credits rolled on, along with a playful rock tune, "I love having you as my surrogate dad", Mana chuckled warmly, "I love having you as my surrogate daughter. You're a cool little girl". I held onto his arms and made myself comfy, "Hey, Mana?", he tightened his grip a bit to adjust to my movements, "Yeah, kiddo?". I kissed his arm, "Love you", he chuckled and kissed the back of my head, "Love you too, sweetie".

"Rose...", I shuffled a bit, "Rosie(!)...", I forced my eyes open, it was Mana, "Rose, you fell asleep, kiddo". I looked up and looked around in confusion, "Wha... what? I was?", the T.V. was showing the opening of some light-hearted comedy show, "Oh, right. Sorry, Mana, I've kind of ruined our night in". He smiled and shrugged, "Its not ruined, we got to spend the night together so thats good enough for me. I'll make you some warm milk and you can sleep while I wait for your Mom to get in", Mana's pocket began to vibrate. He walked into the kitchen and answered the call, "Hello? You're where? You are? Okay, then! See you in a few hours! Love you!", he hung up after his twenty second call and began making some warm milk, "That was Candy, she's so wasted she's gonna crash

here tonight when they stumble in at about three". I nodded, "Okay...", I turned my head to watch T.V., I couldn't see it very well through drowsy eyes. It was just some stand-up sketch show which I never understood. I fought to keep my eyes open, still feeling incredibly tired, "Hey, Rose". I looked up at Mana, "Yeah, Mana?". He sat down next to me and handed me a small, warm glass, "The reason Candy and I can't have babies is because when she was a little girl... she developed ovarian cysts. That means little tumours grew in her belly where she keeps the baby, the tumours had to be cut out and that damaged her belly, so Candy can't have babies as easily. She may not even have them at all, which is why I asked you to promise not to ask Candy, because it makes her very upset. Do you understand?", a tidal wave of guilt washed over me, "Oh... I see. I'm sorry I asked, Mana, I didn't know". Mana nodded, unaffected, "It's alright, its better you hear it from me and not from her", I sipped my milk gingerly, still remorseful. What if I had asked Candy!? I'd break her heart, "But, doesn't it make you sad, Mana?", he nodded, "Well, yeah, I'd love to start a family with Candy, but I have you as my surrogate child. So with you, Parasol, Candy and Snow I already have a family. The reason Candy doesn't see like that is because she can't help not being able to have a baby. If I was horrible I could leave her and have a family with someone else, but she couldn't even if she did leave me". I finished my warm milk, setting the glass aside gently, "I understand. I'm glad I make you happy, Mana. I just wish that you and Candy could have a baby", Mana smiled lightly, "I wish that too, but I have you and I have Candy, so I don't feel that bad". I laid down beside him and shut my eyes, "I had fun tonight, Mana", Mana stroked my hair softly, "Me too, sleep tight, sweetie". I yawned quietly, only seconds away from blissful sleep, "Good night, Mana".

I was awoken by a loud slam and a series of hushed babbling and giggles, "Shh, shh! Mah daught'rrs sleepin', Cah-nnddyy! Yah haf t' be quiet! Pffttt-hahaha!". Candy stumbled through the blackened living room door, barely able to stand, "Ahm gun'a crash on th' coush, Snnooww. Guh nigh'!", Candy fell face forward onto the floor and fell asleep, snoring lightly. Mom and Frost stumbled upstairs loudly, talking in hushed tones. I looked to my left, Mana was fast asleep! I was so exhausted, so I laid my head back down and went back to sleep.

"Train 15 to Ponyville is departing in fifteen minutes! Please have your ticket ready when boarding the train", Why was I at a train station? I looked around in confusion, I was surrounded by people dressed in fancy attire and expensive jewellery. Was I in Canterlot? One particular person caught my attention. He was wearing a darkish light blue t-shirt, jeans, and he had... red hair. He looked familiar but I just couldn't put my finger on who he was. He was stood with a woman and small girl who had indeterminant

features, so I couldn't tell who they were. Even though I was far away I could still hear him clearly, "I have to go my daughter needs me", a female voice piped up, "No you don't! You adopted me! I'm your daughter now, you don't need her!". Wait a minute, "Dad?". The male figure turned to look at me, but he just looked through me as if I wasn't there, "I don't know, maybe you're right though". The little girl jumped up onto him and hugged him, "I know I'm right! You're my daddy and I'm so happy! You don't need Rose anyway". Dad! I ran forward to try and intervene, but it was like I was running on the spot, "Dad!", he ignored me this time. I moved as fast as I could, but it wasn't fast enough, "You're right, sweetie, I don't need to go back to Ponyville. I'll be fine with you and your mother", my Dad began walking away and out of my sight, "Wait, Dad! Hold on!". I tried to run but my legs began aching and they gave up, "Dad! Wait!". Dad eventually walked out of the door, completely out of sight, "Daaad!"

I bolted up, clutching my hair in fear and breathing heavily. Where was I? I looked around, windows, carpet, Mana. I was at home. Mana looked up, his eyes slightly shut, "What's wrong, Rose?", I rubbed my eyes, "Just a horrible, horrible nightmare". It was early morning, the sun was throwing in little strips of light that had a warming presence. Mana sat up, still drowsy, "Will you be able to sleep?", I nodded, laying back down as my fear was replaced with exhaustion, "Yeah, I think so, but... could we cuddle so I feel, well, safer?", Mana chuckled drowsily and nodded, "Sure thing, hon". Mana picked me up, hugged me tightly and laid down, but Candy began stirring, "*hic* Oh, my head... who put the lights on?". Candy started moving her arm to try and reach for a light switch that would turn out the sun, her face still buried in the wool carpet, "Candy, honey, it's the sun. How much did you have last night?". Candy rolled over onto her back, shielding her eyes with her arm, "I lost count after my seventh glass of wine... that was at about nine. I think I went over my recommended allowance, *hic*, and I sure as hell feel it. Could I be awful and ask you for a cup of coffee and something absorbent and edible to soak up the alcohol?". Mana released me and stood up, "The things I do for you, Candy", Candy giggled a bit, "Love you, Mana!". I sat up, unable to fall back asleep, "What's wrong, honey? Do you wanna come and cuddle with me?", I nodded slowly, "I had a bad dream". I walked over clumsily and laid next to Candy, who wrapped her arms around me and stroked my hair softly, "What was the bad dream about?", I held onto Candy's free arm for comfort, "My dad. I dreamt that he was about to come back to Ponyville, but his adopted daughter and his girlfriend told him to stay with them. I tried to stop him but I couldn't move", Candy sighed, "That must've been awful, hon. Don't worry about it, though, me and Mana are here for you. So will your Mom if she doesn't get the hangover of her life". Mana came back into the kitchen holding a mug, a teacup and a can of 'Red Bolt', he handed me the teacup, Candy the mug and he opened the can and took a large sip. In my teacup was a sweet smelling, herbal tea, "Honey and Nettle! Thanks, Mana!". Candy took a strangely large mouthful of her searing hot coffee without even wincing, "Easy there, Leathermouth! You'll burn your throat out!". Candy put the mug down near the couch behind her, exhaling in an almost victorious fashion, "Aah! Thanks, love. I feel right as rain", Candy leaned in and gave Mana a peck on the cheek, "It's no problem, hon. Anytime. What's on the agenda for today?". Mana took another swig of his energy drink, "Well, I don't have any magic tests to be done so the weekend is ours! Wanna maybe take Rose to the park?", I looked across at Candy eagerly, "Well... I guess we could. I mean, why not? It's not like Snow will be up anytime soon". I heard a light thumping coming from upstairs, "Oh, my Mom's awake". Mana and Candy scowled, "Ridiculous", Candy stood up quickly and went into the kitchen, before re-entering the living room with a barstool, "I swear to Celestia if Frost doesn't knock this off I'm gonna punch him". Candy knocked the ceiling three times, "We can hear you! Knock it off!", the thumping stopped almost immediately. Candy got down and took the barstool back into the kitchen, "Well, I'm awake and angry. Mana, lets head back and get changed, then we'll come back for Rose. You get yourself some breakfast, Rose and if those two start... grr... bouncing on the bed again, tell them that if Frost doesn't stop being a perverse little weirdo I'm gonna take my fist and shove it up his-", Mana clasped his hand over Candy's mouth, "Candy, Candy, we're in the presence of a child". Candy rolled her eyes and nodded, taking Mana's hand off of her mouth, "Tell Frost to stop it. We'll be back in an hour or so, okay?". I nodded, "Okay, Candy. See you two soon!", Mana and Candy headed out the door, quietly talking with Candy sounding angry. I was left alone.