I opened my eyes lazily and gazed over the glittering waters of a familiar, rippling stream. The whispered words flickered across the back of my mind, so close to comprehension. I stood and paced up close to the water and gazed into it, struggling to understand what it was trying to tell me.

"Trying to hear the song of the waves again, my little raindrop?" A gentle face joined mine in the reflections.

"Why won't they talk to me any more, Mom?"

"Because, they know there's so much to hear in the rest of the world. They don't want to block it all out on you." She gently nudged me away from the riverbank. "Come on, your dad is looking for you."

I followed Mom back to the falls. As I ducked underneath the cascades after her, she called out to Dad. "I found Sky!"

"Ah, good." My dad strolled out of the back of the cave, mist rolling along at his hooves like always. "Your brother's going to be away for most of the day, picking up some deliveries from Cloudsdale. I need you to deliver the mail today."

"No problem, Dad." I rushed over and grabbed the mailbag and was back out the falls in the blink of an eye. "Have a good day, Mom!"

"I will, dear. Be careful!"

After a few minutes walk, I was at the edge of town. I hesitated for a brief second, then bounced in. I loved making deliveries. Seeing all the town ponies, hearing their stories... It was all so strange and magical.

As I went around the town everypony called out greeting, asking if Cloudstep was all right. As soon as I assured them he was safe, just dealing with deliveries in Cloudsdale they would relax and smile proudly. Everypony was thrilled to have the only "normal unicorn" who could travel to Cloudsdale on his own in our town.

I was talking to the head of the town guards, when something behind me cried out for attention. I spun, looking for the source. There! About ten feet away, a small fountain across the square was crying out to me. An elderly stallion was plodding towards it, ready for a drink. The waters were practically screaming a warning in my ears. I might not know the actual words, but the tone was clear.

I galloped across the town square and blocked him from the water with a slight nudge. "Sir, you can't drink that!"

"Why ever not?"

"It's... call it one of my hunches, sir. It's just not safe."

After a pause during which we intensely examined each others eyes. Suddenly, he chuckled and rumpled my mane. "If one of the Cascades thinks something about water, I'll trust in it. Thank you for your help, little SkyTear." He ambled off, but I stayed next to the fountain, unsure. What if somepony else tried to drink out of it before I could get Mom? And the water's voice... under that warning voice, a stronger, deeper voice was rising. Whatever it was saying, it sounded angry and upset. I couldn't shake the feeling I was the target of that hatred, and it terrified me...

"I'll make sure nopony drinks, lad. Why don't you go get your mother?" The head of the guards had followed me across the square.

"Thank you, sir." I rushed back home as fast as my legs could carry me. The forest passed in a blur, and in minutes I was collapsing in our cave.

"Sky, what are you doing home so early?"

"What's the matter, dearest?"

"Mom... the water... fountain in... town square... warning... dark voice..." My voice gave out from exhaustion.

Mom and Dad shared a look. "I'll see to the fountain, you finish the rounds," Mom said and flew off to the town at top speed.

"You did well, son. Get yourself some rest now." Then Dad was gone too.

Worn out, I fell into a fitful sleep, broken by that voice... I would awake sweating and crying over and over, only to have exhaustion push me back into the dreams.

Then I woke up and felt warm. I glanced at my side to find Mom there, one wing spread over me gently. "It's all right now, my little raindrop. I've fixed everything."

"Everypony is safe now?"

"Yes my dear. Sleep now- you need it." She pulled me closer and cuddled me gently. Slowly, I drifted... awake?

I felt the memory-dream lifting, and I wanted to cry... I could still almost feel Mom's wing over me... I turned over fitfully to get up- might as well see if there was a bed, rather than this floor. I found myself face to follicle with a blonde mane. A glance showed me there was indeed a wing over me, holding and cuddling me. ..."Thank you." I whispered, snuggling up close against the sleeping pegasus, and fell back asleep.

I'm sorry about the shortness of this chapter. It's finals time, and they're coming down like a hammer on a sleeping cat. I will not have time to create another chapter until finals are over, but I will be back hard at work once they are. Hopefully you all enjoyed getting a glimpse into Lantra's past. Good luck on finals to all you fellow college students out there!

I do not own MLPFIM. This has been, and will continue to be established.