Chapter 30: Bringing Flower Out of Her Shell
The weekend comes along and Lucky goes into the office at 6 in the morning. She starts in her paperwork. A surprise visit from Princess Luna surprises her, of course. "Luna, what are you doing here?" Luna smiled, "Oh, just surprising you with a visit. How are things here at the office?" Lucky smiled, "Good, and I met two new friends, Pink Heart and Spring Flower. Flower's a Pegasus and Pink is an Earth pony." Luna smiled, "Seems your group of friends is expanding." Lucky nodded. "I'm glad. Having friends is very important." Lucky smiled, "I know. Flower has Autism, and I'm working with her on having one pony come close to her. She said though only me, and maybe her special somepony if she ever gets one."
"Really? That's very nice of you Lucky." Lucky grinned. Then she got a call on her intercom. "Yes?" Her advisor said, "A young filly named Spring Flower wants to see you. Are you busy?" Lucky smiled happily. "No, I can see her. Are her parents with her? I have Princess Luna in here, and she's fairly tall and this office of mine is quite smallish." Mare said, "No, her parents are not with her, though the meeting room is big enough for the three of you. You could meet with each other in there." Lucky nodded, then realized Mare can't see that, she gives a -_- look then said, "Alright, sounds like a plan. Show her in the meeting room and we'll be there in shortly." Mare gave an 'ok'.
When Lucky arrived in the meeting room, Flower was there waiting. Lucky had her paperwork in her magical grasp. She plans on doing her work and talking at the same time. Lucky sat down and Luna sat down next to her. Flower bowed before them. Lucky and Luna smiled, "You may stand up.", they said together. They chuckled. Flower gave the teeniest smile at their in synchness. Lucky grinned, "I like seeing you smile Flower, it makes you all the more cuter. I wish you would do it more often." That made Flower blush brightly. Lucky chuckled. "Oh Lucky, you're getting to be like your mama. Such a smooth talker.", Luna said. Lucky smirked. "Yup, I'm learning from the best." Luna grinned and ruffled Lucky's mane. "Hey!" She giggled and fixed her mane by just shaking her head.
Flower giggled a teeny tiny bit. Lucky smiled, "You giggled. Yay." Flower said quietly, "I-I think... you are r-really helping me... a l-lot." Luna looked surprised. "You are a lot like Fluttershy, very quiet spoken and shy." Lucky nodded, "Pink Heart is a lot like Pinkie Pie... and Scootaloo is like mama, Apple Bloom is a bit like ma... wait a sec... this is getting fishy. I'm a lot like Twilight, and Sweetie is kind of like Rarity... could we be the filly versions of the Elements of Harmony?" Luna's look of surprise did not fade. "That can't be, can it?", Flower asked. "I have no idea little one, but I'm sure Celestia would know." Luna apologizes for her abrupt departure, but she will be going and asking Celestia if what Lucky said could be true. Lucky looked at Flower. "If this is really for real... I dunno what I would say or do..."
"Me either... but can we continue our progression towards me becoming less scared about you coming closer?" Lucky looked unsure. "I gotta do my paperwork. I'm usually here at the office until 2:30 to 3:00, depending. It's..." She looks at the clock, she's getting better with telling time on these clocks, "Only 8:23... ugh... stupid paperwork..." Flower's ears flattened and she looked down, sad, but understood. "You can stay if you like. I can talk while doing my paperwork." Flower looked back up and her ears perked up and she smiled a tiny smile. "Ok, let's talk." So they did, and lunchtime came for the office workers and Flower, who shared Lucky's lunch. They sat in the meeting room still and sat across each other, and the table being a good size, Flower's ok with this. Lucky then said, "Now that it's lunchtime, I can start now, want me to try to come closer?" Flower nodded. Lucky went around the table and then got 5 seats away. "Closer..." 4 seats. "... I dunno, maybe one seat closer?" 3 seats away.
"Ok... that's enough..." Lucky nodded, then smiled. "Not bad Flower. Getting better. You'll be having me be close to you in no time at this rate. 3 seats is a good ways away in here but it's definitely closer than last time, very much closer. It's about 5 feet away, where as the last time it was about... 7 feet away I would say." Flower smiled, a genuine smile this time. Lucky grinned. "So, after I get out of the office, wanna come to the farm?" Flower nodded. Lucky smiled. "Alright then. Well, sorry to kick you out there Flower, but I gotta get back to work. Nice seeing you though, and I'll see you later, at around 2:30 to 3. That's when I usually get done." Flower nodded, then left after saying good bye and see you later. Lucky gathered her paperwork and went back to her office.
When 2:30 rolled around, Flower was outside waiting for Lucky to get done. At about 2:40 Lucky came out of the building and grinned at Flower. "Hi Lucky. How did the rest of work go?" Lucky got next to Flower, though 5 feet away. "It went well, thanks for asking. Now, let's go to the farm." Lucky led Flower to the farm. When they arrived, Applejack was watering crops. "Ma! I brought Flower to the farm with me." Applejack looked up and smiled gently. "Well howdy Flower." Flower said in her usual extremely quiet voice, "Hi."
"Hey, want me show you around the farm? Maybe you can even stay for supper." Flower smiled a tiny bit and nodded once. Lucky led her around the farm. Flower got closer to Lucky by 2 feet, now 3 feet away from her, as they walked back to the apartment in town for supper. Flower is wondering why she's becoming so brave. This closeness shouldn't happen until maybe many years from now. Autism isn't something easy. It takes much time to get this brave to be this close to somepony. She also is getting the feeling she might be getting attached to Lucky, for reasons she doesn't know. Flower actually really likes Lucky.
'Lucky is one of the most coolest ponies and one of the really nicest. Lucky is also kind of cute, in her own way... wait, where'd that come from?! I shouldn't be thinking that... but, Lucky has two mamas, and even Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy are together and they're all mares, and the citizens of Ponyville don't seem to mind. Even also Bonbon and Lyra and Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. Well, I guess these feelings are ok, if there are that many female relationships in one town and nopony minds. Hmm... whoa, wait. I'm only 10! I'm too young for a special somepony or even thinking of having a special somepony. I can't be thinking like this for real.', Flower thought to herself.
"You look like you're deep in thought. What'cha thinkin' about?" Flower blushed very lightly. "N-Nothing..." Lucky rose an eyebrow, then they went inside the apartment and to where Lucky lives. "By your blush and stutter, it looks like you are thinking of something and I have a feeling it has to do with me. Turst me when I say my feelings are always on the spot. I am psychic after all." Flower bit her lip, debating whether to tell her or not. Rainbow then came in the living room. "Hi you two. What's going on?" Lucky looked at Rainbow and smiled. "Hi Mama. Flower was thinking of something, and it has to do with me. She won't tell me what she was thinking though." Rainbow gave a gentle look. "Well, Lucky, she doesn't have to tell you if she doesn't want to. It isn't mandatory for her to tell you what she's thinking every time she thinks about something."
"Rainbow's right.", Applejack said, just getting home herself. Flower sighed, "Well, maybe I should tell her. It does concern her and well... I think if I just keep it to myself for a long time, Lucky will be disappointed I didn't tell her sooner, or when she asked. Lucky, what I was thinking, well... I-I kind of thought you are cute, and then I didn't know where that came from. Besides, I'm only 10, I shouldn't be thinking about special someponies yet. I still have 8 years to think about that, you having 10 years to think about it. I also think I'm becoming pretty attached to you. Like, I think because I think you're cute and maybe even like you as a potential special somepony. Though... like I said. I'm way too young to think about that kind of thing. I'm sorry..." She blushed heavily and bowed her head in embarrassment.
Lucky took a bit to register everything Flower just said. Rainbow and Applejack looked surprised to hear that coming from Flower. Then Lucky finally said, "I appreciate your maybe feelings Flower, but I think that I see you more as a sister. Sisters can be very close, I've seen it with Apple Bloom and Ma. We can be like them if you want to. Be very close sisters." Flower looked up, and then, for the second time, smiled a genuine smile. "I would love that Lucky. Thank you." Lucky smiled happily. Rainbow and Applejack smiled too. Lucky really is a great Princess and friend. "That was very nice o' ya Lucky. Also, ya said the right thing. Ya really are like a grown pony in an 8 year old body. Very wise fer yer age.", Applejack said.
"Yeah, you took it in stride and I could see you thought carefully with your words.", Rainbow said. Lucky nodded, "I would hate to upset my friends. Especially after making my friends from flight camp mad at me." Flower looked at Lucky questioningly. Lucky shook her head and said, "Kind of a long story, and also, you don't wanna know." Flower just shrugged it off, she doesn't want to press matters if Lucky doesn't want to tell her. "Well, how's about Ah get supper fer us?" The fillies nodded. Applejack then went in the kitchen and started getting supper ready. "So, how about we go outside for a bit? Applejack can call us back in when supper's done.", Rainbow said. "Ok.", said both fillies. They then went outside.
"I wanna practice flying.", Flower says. "Ok." So, the three of them got to flying around. After a bit longer, Applejack called the 3 in for supper. Over supper, Applejack said, "Well, the Apple family reunion is comin' up here in a week. Unfortunately, fer Lucky's unlucky time o' gettin' sick one year then her havin' Princess duties cause she had ta travel ta Appleoosa another so Rainbow 'n Ah had ta go with her, hopefully this time we'll have one." Lucky blushed and looked sheepish. "Sorry ma, the Princess thing couldn't be helped."
Applejack smiled gently, "Ah know sugarcube. Ah ain't blamin' ya. It's hard though when ya got a Princess fer a daughter 'n have a big family." Lucky nodded. Rainbow and I are the first ones to not be Earth ponies, right?" Applejack grinned, "Eeyup. Actually, you're the first alicorn, and only alicorn, of the family." Lucky smiled, then the smile faded, "But that's only by adoption. Not by birth." Rainbow then said, "That doesn't matter, I bet the Apples don't care it's by adoption. I know Applejack totally thinks of you as her own, and adoption doesn't matter at all. I feel the exact same way, so it's like you could be ours by birth, it's the way we feel about it, not the fact of the matter."
"Exactly. Couldn'ta said it better mahself. Don't fret about that fact Lucky. Hay, Rainbow n' Ah ain't even married, but she's still comin' to the reunion 'cause she's still mah marefriend, and marefriend basically is like part o' the family." Lucky then smiled. Flower did too, then she asked, "Applejack, Rainbow, um... if Lucky and I consider ourselves as sisters, then would I be allowed to come? Maybe even my parents too?" Applejack looked thoughtful, "Ah dunno Flower. If Ah accept it, Apple Bloom might get upset 'cause Ah let a friend o' Lucky's come 'n not her friends. Ah understand ya both're like sisters, but, so ain't the Crusaders. Apple Bloom, Sweetie, nor Scootaloo ever asked if they could attend, so Ah never had ta make this decision." Flower only nodded and said, "I think I understand your reasoning. It's fine."
Applejack gave her a gentle look. Then eventually they finished supper and Flower and Lucky played for a bit longer. Then the time came when she had to go home. "Bye Flower, see you soon." Flower smiled, "See you Lucky." Then she went home.
~next day~
Luna came around again. Lucky looked up from her desk and grinned, "Hi Luna." Luna smiled, "Hello Lucky. I've talked with my sister, she said that it does sound intriguing, but there's no way you guys could be the Elements of Harmony in filly form." Lucky thought for a while. "That would be cool if we were, maybe even a different kind of Elementals. Hmm, Elements of Friendship? Or Elements of Randomness. I could be the Element of Prophecy. Flower, Element of Botany. Pink, Element of Love. Apple Bloom, Element of Jam-making. Scootaloo, Element of Dancing. Sweetie Belle, Element of Singing." Luna giggled. "Very good, but I don't think you could be a new set of Elementals. I think this is just coincidence. Celestia also thinks it's a coincidence." Lucky giggled too, "Too bad though. It would be funny." Luna smiled, "It would be. Well, I should get going. I'll be seeing you Lucky." Lucky nodded and bid the Princess of the Night good bye.
~next week, day before reunion~
Flower, Pink, Sweetie, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Lucky, Applejack, Granny Smith, and Big Mac are all setting up for the reunion tomorrow. "Sweetie, could ya bring the ribbon to the finish line with me?", Lucky asked. "Sure." Sweetie and Lucky both brought the ribbon to the finish line, then tied it to each pole. "There, thanks Sweetie. Now, let's get to shopping with Flower and Granny Smith for the ingredients for the apple fritters. Mmmm, I can't wait to try them. I've heard they're really good. Also I can't wait to meet the whole Apple family. This'll be my first time meeting the others." They reach Granny. "Really? I thought you would have at least met Babs." They head off to the store now. "Nope, not met Babs yet. Only Ma, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom."
"Huh. Well, you'll like Babs, she's really nice. She's also pretty cool too." Lucky smiled, "Then I can't wait to meet her. Tomorrow can't come fast enough." Flower nodded and said, "My family reunion will be happening next year. I met some of my family, but not all. Next year can't come fast enough for me. The Flower family reunion. It really should be interesting. Flowers will probably be everywhere. A whole field of flowers. Actually, that sounds really pretty." Granny smiled, "It sure does. Yer full name's Spring Flower right?" Flower nodded. "What's yer parents' names then. If Ah ever meet them, Ah'd like ta know their names. Well, have ya ever told them of me?"
"Yeah, I've told them of you, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac. I already told them your name. My parents' names though are Black Rose and Sunflower Seed. I get my colors though from my grandma and great grandma on my mom's side. Mom's colors are black mane and tail and blue coat. Dad's is a yellow coat with a brown mane and tail." Lucky looked at Flower incredulously. "Oh my sweet dear Celestia! My mom's name was Blue Rose! D-Do you think... they could... p-possibly be... sisters?" Granny Smith looked at Lucky incredulously, "Lucky Fire, language young filly." Lucky's and Flower's ears flattened. Lucky's because she got scolded, "Sorry Granny Smith."
Flower's because Lucky shouted, though she understood why, that is kind of fishy. "I don't know. What is your grandparents' names?" Lucky then said, "Well, I have grandparents in Baltimare. They're the King and Queen of Baltimare. Their names are Spring Water and Cat Nip." Lucky chuckled, "Grandpa's a cat magnet. It's funny. I'm surprised during my last visit I saw no cats." Flower said, "Those names don't sound familiar. Then again, mom and dad never talked about my maternal grandparents come to think about it." Sweetie chimed in with, "Then there's the possibility of your maternal grandparents being the King and Queen of Baltimare and the possibility of your mom and Lucky's mom being related." Lucky and Flower looked at each other. "Sweetie's right Flower. When I go back to the office, I will definitely look into it."
"Ok, and let me know?" Lucky grinned, "Definitely." So the foursome got to the store and got all the needed ingredients for the fritters. Then they went back to the farm, and Lucky went to her mamas and told them what her and Flower found out on the way to the store. "Oh, Lucky, what colors were your mom?", Flower asked. Lucky replied with, "Blue, my color blue, and her mane and tail were orange and yellow. She always wore a headband. It was yellow too." Flower took on a thoughtful look. "If I remember correctly, I think mom told me she knew a pony with those colorings. Hey, did I tell you where I came from?" Lucky shook her head. "Fillydelphia." Lucky's, Rainbow's, Applejack's, Big Mac's, Granny's, Apple Bloom's, Scootaloo's, and Sweetie's jaws all dropped.
"Oh my gosh, that's where I came from too. This is getting weirder and fishier by the minute." Flower thought the same thing. "Ah think they could be long lost cousins finally reunited, even though they lived and still live in the same town as each other. But... why do they not know if their moms are related or not?", Apple Bloom asked. Big Mac said, "Maybe their moms were separated at birth. Maybe they could have been fraternal twins." Flower and Lucky looked at each other, again. "Oh.", Lucky said. "My.", Flower said. "Goodness.", they then both said together. "But... why would grandma and grandpa and even my Aunt not tell me that I have another Aunt? One who could possibly be my mama's twin?"
"I don't know...", Flower said, very quietly and very softly. Lucky then got a determined/annoyed/mad look. "Ah'm gonna hafta talk ta gran 'n gramp 'bout not tellin' me 'bout this, if all this is true. It ain't right." Everypony looked at Lucky with an astonished look. This marks the first day that Lucky's talked with a full country accent, and will mark the future days that she does whenever she gets mad or annoyed or frustrated. Even Lucky, who just realized she just talked with a full country accent, looked surprised at herself. "Did I just...?" Everypony nodded. "Whoa." Again, everypony nodded.
Flower, then feeling brave, and not awkward at least for this once, went up to Lucky, and was a nose away from her. "Do you really think we could be long lost cousins?" Lucky grinned, "Well of course. There are too many coincidences for this not to be true." Flower smiled, then hugged Lucky. "Well, if this is all true, it's nice to meet you... cuz." Lucky smiled a huge smile, and hugged Flower back. "It's nice to meet you too cuz." Everypony couldn't believe this. Well, after all the surprising things ended, they all got to finishing readying things. Now, everypony's gone home, and to bed. For Lucky, it'll be a big day tomorrow.