I ate my cereal silently as Mom and Frost argued in the living room. They thought if they whispered I couldn't hear them but I did. They were arguing over me... Parasol was sat next to me, bandaging up her burnt arms, "What do you think, Rose? Can I dress burns or what?", she bandages were neatly wrapped around her arm, no gaps between the wraps whatsoever, "Yeah, you did a good job". Parasol sighed and hugged me, "Ignore him, Rose. Nobody likes him except your Mom, so rest assured Mana, Candy and I will take your side". Mana! "Uh, Parasol. Could you, um, not tell Mana about this?", Parasol looked at me in confusion, "Why not? It's a noticable injury, Rose, he'll need to know to watch out for it". I shook my head, "I don't want him to be mad at me", Parasol stroked my hair, "He won't be mad at you, Rose. He's wise enough to know accidents happen". I pulled at my sleeves and trousers to cover the burns, "I know, I just don't want him to know". Parasol took the bandage roll and lifted my legs onto her knees, "I still need to disinfect and cover the burns, otherwise they'll blister and became septic", I continued eating my cereal as she went about my first aid. Parasol sprayed this weird alcohol onto my burns, which only brought the burning back, "Oooww!", Parasol continued spraying, which made the burning dissipate into a cooling feeling. I sighed in relief, "So, how are things with Wind Kicker?", Parasol smiled a bit, "Just fine. One year tomorrow", Parasol lifted her hand up to flaunt her silver wedding band that had a few yellow jewels encrusted into it, "I liked the wedding, the cake was great". Parasol giggled, "I know, Pinkie Pie is quite the baker/caterer. I think she called it the Marzipan Marscapone Meringue Madness or the 'MMMM'? I'm not entirely sure, either it took the Cakes and Pinkie about a week to make it and it wasn't cheap". Parasol finished wrapping the bandages on my legs and took my arm, "Did you have fun last night?". Parasol grinned, "Yes, I had lots of fun. Your Mom is crazy when she's drunk, she even kiss-", she shut her mouth and blushed intensely, "What did she do, Parasol?". She glanced behind her, before sighing in relief as she heard the hushed arguing continue, "N-Nothing, she just did some crazy stuff", Parasol wrapped the bandage tightly and let my hand go, "There, good as new!". I admired her work, before pulling my sleeve over it and leaving it alone, "Are you coming with us to the park, Parasol?", Parasol nodded, "Yep, I'll buy you some ice-cream for being such a brave little girl". I giggled and finished my breakfast, drinking the remaining milk that cooled my heated senses down.
Candy was casually leafing through this weird romance novel as I ate my jam toast across the table, "Why do you read that junk?", Candy didn't even hear me, she just continued to read the book with great interest. "Caaaaandy", she rolled her eyes and set the book down, "Yes, my love?", I could tell by her tone of voice that she wasn't amused. I put my piece of toast down, "Nothing, I'm just wondering why you read those kind of books. I don't get it, nowadays its just some random writers that are copying off the success of 'Fifty Shades Of Braeburn' in hopes that they'll make millions. Just by writing about sex and it's weird forms, especially BDSM", Candy scoffed derisively, "Well, if you actually read Fifty Shades Of Braeburn you'd understand it was more than sex. I take it you haven't actually read it?". I folded my arms as my defeat neared, "No...", Candy lifted the book to her face in a subtle victory, "Then you don't have an argumentative leg to stand on. I read them because it is a nice little escape from the real world, just like you and your video games. It's also like a little book of tips and tricks". I shot my head up in surprise, to which Candy giggled and continued reading regardless. I shrugged it off and went back to eating my breakfast. I wonder how Rose is doing...
Parasol was watching me play my PSP over my shoulder, "Oh, so this is USG: Equestria? The game you and Mana play?", I nodded, heavily focused on the group of Necromorphs that were slowly advancing in my direction, their bloody boneblades held high. One suddenly pounced forward and grabbed my character, I began to tap the 'X' button as fast as I could, "Oh my, and you wonder why your Mom doesn't let you play this". My barrage of 'X's worked, as I shoved the Necromorph back, before decapitating it with a sideways swing of my bonesaw, "Wow... and you're not affected by this in any way?", I shook my head, taking aim and firing multiple shots of plasma from my Plasma Cutter, "You know what's funny? Her name is Rose like me". Parasol giggled, "Well, I guess that does make it more immersive. I just stick with fighter games like Canterlot Arena. Me, your Dad and Mana used to play on it all the time before he met your Mom", I saved my game and closed it, going back to the XMB, "I think Mana and Candy will be setting off now, it has been an hour and a bit".
Candy and I held hands as we began our trek to Rose's house, "So what are we getting little Rosie for her birthday?", I used my free hand to pull my phone from my pocket and show Candy the HTC Canterlot, "This phone. If Parasol, you and me pitch together, we could get Rose the phone and she could maybe talk to Crimson". Candy looked at the phone and nodded, "Sure, let's give it a shot, love. She deserves it". I squeezed Candy's hand affectionately, she giggled and walked closer beside me, "When we get to the park what do you want to do?", I shrugged, "We'll just let Rosie play around with Parasol for a bit. We can just relax in the shade". Candy smiled happily and nodded, "That sounds good to me", I lifted Candy's hand up and gave it a gentle kiss, to which Candy sighed happily, "I love you so much, Mana". My heart warmed considerably, "I love you, Candy". We reached Snow's house and knocked on the door.
Parasol and I were sat in the hallway when someone knocked at the door. Mana! I opened the door, "Rosie!", I leapt up and hugged him tightly, "Hey, Mana! Hi, Candy! Parasol's coming too!". Candy smiled warmly, "Good to know, kiddo. Have you eaten?", I nodded, "Yup, had my breakfast and some tea!". The remembrance hit me like a rock, the bandages! I looked quickly at my arms and legs, luckily they were covered. I let out a sigh of relief. Mom opened the living room door and greeted Candy and Mana, "Hello, you two. What time will you be bringing Rose back from the park?", Mana shrugged, "I dunno, I'll ring you when we do". Mom looked a bit annoyed, "Everything alright, Snow?", Candy stepped forward, regarding Mom with calculative eyes. Mom nodded, "Yeah, just... nothing, really. You guys go have fun", she waved and re-entered the living room, leaving an awkward silence as we all knew something was wrong. Mana was the one to break it, "Okay, Rose, do you have everything you need?", I pulled my jacket off the hooks and put it on, "Yep". Mana nodded, "Good, lets head out".
Parasol and Rose were frolicking in the grass, laughing happily while Mana and I were laid in the shade of a big oak tree. Mana was curling my hair up in little twirls with his finger, before letting them unfurl, "Such a nice day", he nodded, "Very nice". I laid back onto him, my back pressed against his chest and my head rested on his shoulder, "So what do you think was wrong at Snow's house?", Mana sighed dismissively, "I don't know, I don't trouble myself thinking about what that jerk is doing to make Rose's home life so... sucky. I already know he's just a needy prat who keeps trying to replace Crimson". I shut my eyes as Mana relaxed me, "I understand, hon. We won't talk about it then. Silence is golden", Mana chuckled agreeably and stroked my hair. I rested my head on his chest, his slow and deep heartbeat always relaxed me, I could already feel myself drifting off. Mana slowed down his stroking and sighed, "Do you have any good baby names?". My eyes shot open, "W-What(!)?", Mana's heartbeat picked up, he was probably shocked, "Oh, s-sorry, love. Just something that was on my mind. N-Never mind, you can go back to sleep", I shut my eyes again, letting out a sigh, "I don't really think of baby names. It makes me think we're going to have a baby... and the realisation hurts too much. But, maybe Miracle Springs?". Mana continued to stroke my hair, "Miracle Springs? It's got a bit of a ring to it. But why 'Miracle' of all names?", I shrugged lightly, "Well, if we ever do have a baby it'll be a miracle of nature. We don't have to call her Miracle, we could call her Mira (My-ra) for short. It's just a suggestion but I like it". Mana nodded, "Me too. Miracle it is. What if it's a boy?", I pondered this for a moment. I was dead set on having a girl, but a boy would be plausible, "Uh, I don't know... I've never thought of having a boy. Why don't you choose?". Mana was silent for a moment as he thought of a name, "Um, how about... wait, you've never told me your last name", this was true, we had been going out for about three years, "I'm not really fond of my last name, it makes my full name sound cliche. Kind of like a Hearth Warming's Eve character". Mana laughed lightly, "Come on, let's hear it", I sighed woefully, "Cane... my full name is Candy Cane". Mana stopped moving, "Candy Cane? But your cutie mark is a lollipop, how does that fit together?", I shrugged, not even aware of the reason myself, "I dunno, ask my parents, Miss Sweetie Cane and Mister Sugar Cane. Funnily enough my Mom's maiden name was Sweetie Pie". Mana began thinking again, "How about... Ark Cane?". Hah, wordplay, "You mean like the arcane arts?", Mana chuckled nervously, "Yeah, never mind, I knew it was stupid". I patted his chest, "I dunno, Ark Cane, sounds pretty cool. Shorthand is Ark, full is Ark-Cane: Arcane. If he's a unicorn his name is golden!", Mana brushed his hand through my hair, "Good, then it's settled. Ark Cane for a boy, Miracle Springs for a girl". I rested my head on his chest and shut my eyes, "Thanks, Mana. I love you", he kissed my head and continued to massage my hair, "I love you too, Candy".
Parasol held my arms down, "Say I'm the best!", I laughed happily and wriggled against her grip, "No way! I'm the best!". Parasol lifted my t-shirt up and blew a raspberry on my stomach, "Ahaha! No! Parasol! Aha! S-STOP!", Parasol giggled and continued, "Parasol! Okay, okay! I give up! I GIVE UP!". Parasol looked up and grinned, "Go on, say it then!", I sighed, "Okay, okay". I sat up and out of Parasol's grasp, "I'M THE BEST!", I turned around and ran for Mana, "Hey, you sneaky little girl!". Parasol leapt up and chased me, "Mana, help me!", I could hear Parasol's footfalls pounding on the grass, the artificial fear felt thrilling, "I'm gonna get you, Rose!". Mana and Candy laughed by the tree, "Come on, Rose! She's right behind you!", Parasol's hand brushed against my t-shirt, making me involuntarily scream in excitement, "Help me, Mana!". I quickly closed the distance, "Paras-agh!", I stumbled and fell over an overgrown root, collapsing into a heap and tearing my jeans and shirts sleeves. Parasol stopped suddenly to avoid tripping over me, "Oh, Rose! Are you okay?", Mana ran over and helped me to my feet, "Rose, are you okay? I thought for- w-what are these?". Mana rolled my sleeves up, revealing the bandages that covered my burnt flesh, "R-Rose? Why do you have these bandages? What happened?", I shut my eyes and looked away, "Rose. Why are you wearing bandages? Tell me, Rose!". My heart pounded in fear, "I-I-I d-didn't mean t-to... it was an accident!", Parasol knelt down and held me, "Mana, calm down. Rose just got into an accident". Mana took hold of Parasol's arm, before rolling her sleeves up, revealing her bandages, "You too? What on Earth happened?", Parasol unrolled her bandages, unveiling her blistered flesh. Mana coughed and looked away, "P-Parasol! How did that happen?", I looked at her and shook my head, "Don't tell him! I-It was my fault!". Mana looked up at me and held my shoulders, "Rose, you have to tell me what happened. I need to know for your safety".
I shoved the door open to Snow Sweet's house, rage burning in my chest, "Snow! I want a word with you!", Rose was running behind me, "Mana, don't! It was my fault, don't yell at Mom!". Snow came out of the living room, looking a bit surprised, "Mana, why are you yelling?", I took Rose's arm and pointed to the stained bandages, "Did you know about this? A first-degree burn on your daughter, and you don't take her to a damn doctor!?". Snow looked down, "Don't bloody try to sob on me, Snow! Look me in the eyes and tell me what the hell you and Frost were doing that was so bucking important that you'd neglect your daughter's welfare!", Frost came out of the living room looking furious, "Hey, knock it off yelling at my girlfriend! The hell is the matter with you?". I clenched my fists, "Shut up, Frost! This isn't to do with you", Frost squared up to me, "If you're screaming and hollering at my girlfriend, then it's everything to do with me! Don't think that since she kicked that good-for-nothing loser best friend of yours to the curb that you have the right to storm in here and rip into her!". Snow stepped forward, "Now, Frost, don't speak about Crimson with Rose-", Frost shrugged her off, "And another thing, I saw that Father's Day card Rose made for you. You may think you can call yourself her father, but you're not the one busting your hump to provide her, thats me, pal! I had to because Crimson, the great and spectacular dad he is, left Rose. He is nothing but a pathetic, cowardly, son of a-", I punched Frost in the stomach, which made him cough and double-over. Snow gasped and went to his side, "Frost, are you okay?", I didn't feel the slightest bit of remorse, Snow glared up at me, "Thats it, Mana. I am sick of you defecting my daughter, now get out and don't even think about going near Rose again". Rose stepped forward, "Mom, no! Mana is my dad-", Snow scowled, "No he is not, Rose! Now go to your room, I'll speak to you in a moment". Rose sobbed and ran upstairs, "Snow, you're mad at me, not her! Don't take it out on her!", Snow turned on me again and stood up, "I told you to get out, now! You're nothing but a burden and you're just poisonous towards Frost and I", she lowered her voice and began pushing me out of the door, "Just go, don't make contact with Rose or else they'll be trouble". I couldn't push her back, "Snow, you can't just shove me out of her life! She needs me!", Snow shoved me out of the door, "No child needs someone as venomous as you". She slammed the door, leaving me outside.