[Satyr] Hope's Playdate

>Day Minotaur in Equestria.
>Holding the paper plane tight, you wait for Manny to pick a spot for the two toys to land.
>”Hmmm... How about... there!”
>He points to right by his mom's garden.
“Won't she be mad if we accidentally get them in her roses?”
>Your best friends chuckles, lining his plane up.
>”Only IF we hit them, Hope.”
>Good point.
>Lining your plane up as well, you wait for him to count down.
>”On your mark... get set... go!”
>The two of you throw the planes, having them glide across the air towards his mom's garden.
>”Go Thunderhead!”
“Come on Flash, go go go!”
>Your planes begin to bob up and down, almost at their destination.
>Manny's begins to drop and hit right before the garden.
>”No!”
“Yes!”
>It looks good as Flash about to land perfectly.
>Aaaand the wind just blew it to the side, into the roses!
“Uh oh.”
>Your minotaur friend stiffens up for a bit before running to the bush.
>He circles around it a couple times.
>”I-It's okay! It landed in the thorns. None of the flowery parts got hit.”
>Sighing, you step next to him.
“Is it stuck?”
>He nods his head, trying to pull the plane out without ripping it.
>You notice his hands are shaking a lot.
>Furrowing your brow, you take the initiative and free the plane from it's rosy prison.
>”Hope!”
>”What about Hope deary?”
>The two of you look to backdoor.
>His mom is stepping outside, a platter with sweets in her hands.
>”N-Nothing mom! Just showing Hope your roses again.”
>The tall minotaur lady lets off a soft laugh and walks up to you two.
>”If you like them so much Hope, you could always bring your camera over and take a picture.”
>She offers you and Manny the various sweet pastries on the platter.
>Manny is quick to grab a honey bun as you reach for a sugarcoated roll.
>As your friend digs into his snack, you look up to his mom and smile.
>”Thank you Mrs. Von Karma. I'll bring it next time I come over.”
>She gives you a nod and leaves the platter with you two.
>Before you can take your first bite, Manny is already starting on his second bun.
“I still can't figure out how you can eat so fast.”
>He swallows what's in his mouth before covering it.
>”My father says that I am getting ready to go through a growth spurt so I am going to be eating a lot more than usual. He also said that's why my belly and chest start to hurt randomly.”
>You nod and finally bite into the roll.
>Mmm!
>Sweeeeeet.
>This is almost as good as the stuff your mom bakes.
>While chewing on the roll, you think about what Manny said.
>Dad said growth spurts happen right before you go into that -in between- phase.
>That phase where you stop being a kid and start becoming an adult.
>He said it could last a few years and was really awkward.
>Like accidentally calling the teacher mom or dad awkward.
>He never said why though.
>You asked him, like, a hundred times and you always get the same answer.
>'When you're older.'
>You want to be older now though.
>It always seems like everyone knows things you don't and no one wants to tell you those things.
>”Hope?”
>Looking to Manny, you give him a questioning hum as you continue on your roll.
>”You zoned out. You all right?”
>Nodding, you keep eating.
>”Okay then. Wanna go inside and play with my pony blocks?”
>You can't nod fast enough.
>Pony blocks are the best!
>Dad always calls them legos though.
>You like that name better.
>Doesn't have pony in it.
>As the two of you head inside, Manny grabs the platter.
>He continues grabbing sweets as he finishes them off one by one.


>”Prince Baterholms! I demand to be allowed in the castle.”
>Manny is moving his pony block stallion closer to the awesome colored castle you built.
“On what grounds Sir Sliffer?”
>You have your own stallions and mares lining the castle walls, just like the princesses' castle, keeping it safe from any invading Changelings.
>”On the grounds I come with a gift!”
>Manny places one of the pastry crumbs next to his stallion.
“Hmmm. Only a single crumb?”
>You chuckle as the Minotaur groans and places a whole cherry bread slice next to the toy.
“Ah! Better. Okay, I will lower the bridge!”
>Putting the book you were using as a bridge down slowly, you make little *klnk klnk klnk* sounds to mimic chains.
>”Hoorah!”
>Manny moves his stallion and the bread inside.
“Tonight, we feast!”
>The two of you mimic the ponies eating the bread.
>As you do, the sound of the front door closing rings throughout the house.
>”Uh oh...”
>He lifts the bread and puts it on the platter, cleaning the crumbs when he's done.
>The loud hoofsteps of his dad fill the house as he heads towards Manny's room.
>As the door opens, you stand up next to Manny.
>”Manfred, get dressed, we a-... Hope.”
>He looks at you with his usual gruff expression.
“Hi, Mr. Von Karma.”
>”Hello sir...”
>Manny is standing straight, trying to pull his stomach in as he does.
>His dad looks to you for a second longer before switching to Manny.
>”Get dressed. We are heading out in fifteen minutes.”
>He closes the door and his hoofsteps recede.
>Once the steps are quiet enough, Manny sighs and lets go of his gut.
>The Minotaur looks winded.
>He then goes to his closet and looks through his clothes.
“Manny?”
>He stops his search, looking back to you.
>”Sorry Hope. I don't think we can play anymore today.”
>Frowning, you nod and head out of his room so he can change.
>As you head towards the living room you pass Manny's mom, who places her hand on your shoulder.
>”Hope, deary, I'm sorry but we have to head out soon.”
>Looking up to the tall woman, you nod.
“I know. Manny's dad said so.”
>She gives you a great big smile and follows you as you head to the door.
>”It's always wonderful having you over Hope. We'll see you again soon, right?”
>You make sure to grab the toys you brought before actually stepping out the door.
>Looking back, you nod.
“Uh huh. Thanks for having me over Mrs. Von Karma!”
>She waves to you as you step down from their porch.
>”Do you need help walking home?”
“Nuh uh, I can walk home by myself. Bye bye!”
>The mother Minotaur continues to watch you as you are in her view, pressing a hand to her mouth.
>Holding your toys close, you pass a few ponies as you walk the two blocks from Manny's house to yours.
>Stepping inside, you are greeted by your mom.
>”Hi sweetie, how was Manny's?”
>You close the door and go to sit next to her.
“It was fun mom. Is dad home yet?”
>She shakes her head, looking back to the front door.
>”Did anyone drop you off?”
>Scrunching up a bit, you look down and don't answer.
>Mom gives you that look she gets when she gives you talks.
>”Hope Lydia Heartstrings.”
>You look up, eyes locked with your mom's.
>”What have I told you about walking around by yourself?”
“Not to... b-but I'm not a little kid anymore! I'm almost nine!”
>”I know you aren't a little filly, but it's dangerous to walk alone for a child.”
>You look down again.
“I don't need to be looked after all the time.”
>Mom sighs, draping a hoof over your shoulder.
>”I know... but I feel better knowing someone, pony or otherwise, is keeping an eye on you. Making sure my baby is safe.”
>She plants a kiss on your forehead and you rub it off.
”I'm not a baby...”
>Your mom finally cracks a smile.
>”You'll always be my baby. Now come on, your dad will be home soon, I'm sure he'll want to see your homework when he steps in.”
>Nodding, you stand up and head to your room, going to grab your homework for today.
>What's the big deal about you walking home anyway?
>Canterlot is safe, that's why mom and dad moved here, right?