Artwork from 22th May. Full resolution:
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Maverick was on a long walk in town with a distinguished guest; his own mother. Despite living in a home with his wife Ocean Soul and their foals, he somehow always went back to her. After all, she gave him the most precious gift; life. Despite her relatively calm demeanor, Maverick grew up with a mother who was very firm with rules. She had high expectations for her son, as well as his sister Bloodline.
It would be the first time that he and his sister would try to be civil around others.
Maverick, as usual, felt somewhat intimidated by his own mother. She was all business in what she did as well as acted. Her mane was much shorter than Maverick’s, but stood quite tall for a mare; almost to his height. They continued to walk around town as Maverick spoke to her.
“I can’t believe it’s your birthday…” Maverick said. “I just think about you growing up and how young and spry you were.”
Maverick’s mother looked at him, shaking her head and rolling her eyes with a smile. “Everyone grows up sometime.” She stated.
“I know, but I just want to remember you as the tender, loving mother.” Maverick responded.
“But also don’t forget, I’m the mother who taught you to stand tall. To think on your feet. But most of all to respect others.” She said.
Maverick nodded, but still felt a bit nervous around her. She did not command respect, but she was given it regardless because he knew better. “Mother… I gave Ocean a gift for Mother’s Day a week ago.”
“Oh did you?” Mother asked. “What is it?”
“I… caved in and gave her a cat.” He admitted. “She needs something to always snuggle with.”
“You were the same way growing up. You wanted love and affection. Whereas your sister…” She paused for a moment. “Thought that knowledge was power.”
“Sister…” Maverick said quietly as he had not seen her for a bit but knew that he had no choice but to see her today. “It’s been a while.” He said silently.
“Which reminds me…” Mother spoke, looking into his eyes. “I want you two to be on your good behavior today. This walk was a gift, but I want you two to not fight today. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Maverick said, looking elsewhere before Mother placed a hoof on his chin, making him look at her dead in the eyes.
“Do I make myself clear? I want no fighting today.” Mother said with a somewhat unsettling grin. Maverick felt a shiver go down his spine.
“Y-yes, of course!” Maverick said with a bit of fear.
“Good boy…” Mother purred as she pointed a hoof forward. “Let’s head to your home. I hope you keep your place clean and pretty…”
“Doing what I can…” Maverick said, still quite nervous as they made their way back to his house. Outside, Maverick could see balloons tied around. Good. Ocean must’ve taken care of the decorations. Maverick opened up the door, guiding Mother in as she walked into a room where she saw a few familiar faces as well as new ones as they smiled at her. She saw Ocean Soul and Bloodline, her daughter, but saw a mint-colored unicorn mare, as well as a light yellow Pegasus. They all smiled at her.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” They all said as Mother smiled, looking around the room. Just then, there was a single cat that walked up to Mother, giving a small meow. Mother smiled as the cat lay on it’s stomach.
“Ah, you must be the cat my son talked about…” Mother said, gently petting it.
“His name is Rafael.” Ocean Soul smiled.
“Such a wonderful name…” Mother grinned, petting the cat some more before the cat then grabbed the hoof of Mother, gnawing on it. Mother frowned. “HEY!” She said quite vocally. Everyone froze including Rafael. She then raised a hoof in front of the cat. “Don’t gnaw on me like that, you vicious beast!”
Maverick immediately ran over, picking up the cat, carrying him. “Mother… I’m so sorry!” He said. Mother laughed.
“Ah, He’s just playing.” She said happily, petting the cat and then looked at the guests of the party. She then approached the mint-colored mare. “Who are you?” she asked.
“Well… my name is Lyra.” Lyra said somewhat nervously. “I’m a very close friend of Maverick and Ocean Soul.”
“Hmm… how do you know my son?” Mother asked.
“We… umm… write poetry, stories, and songs together.” Lyra admitted.
“My son always had a knack for creativity…” Mother said, smiling at Lyra. “You be good to him, OK?”
“I always am!” Lyra told her. Ocean Soul then placed a wing over Lyra, bringing her in close. Mother then looked at the yellow Pegasus.
“Hmm… don’t tell me… are you… Gentle Star?” She asked.
Gentle Star blushed. “I am.” She said in a familiar accent.
“Maverick talks about you so much. He thinks the world of you.” Mother smiled and laughed. “And what do you do?”
“Well… I draw for a living, and I live next door to Maverick and Ocean Soul. I live with my daughter Apricot Marmalade, and a very close friend in Shadow Dweller.” Gentle Star smiled. “I know Maverick says you work in business at an organization.”
“Indeed I do.” Mother smiled. “You would be a good candidate for my company. A strong mare in business.”
“Well… I work by myself…” Gentle Star grinned back.
“And yet you care for your daughter and still work. Admirable.” Mother said with a slight smile, then looked at Ocean Soul. “And you, Ocean… how are you doing?”
“I’m just fine!” Ocean Soul said, grabbing the cat from Maverick’s hooves. “Your son gave me this cat for Mother’s Day.”
“He told me.” Mother smiled, raising her hooves towards Ocean Soul, grasping the cat as the cat then snuggles in her arms. Maverick gave a look of surprise. “And I assume he is taking care of you? Giving the respect you deserve?”
“He is!” Ocean Soul said back. “He, Lyra, and Gentle Star all work together as a team for everything!”
“If anything is wrong, you let me know, alright?” Mother asked. “I can fix everything very quick.”
“I… I know you can…” Ocean Soul said, blushing brightly as a face then approached her. Bloodline.
“This one sees your blood pumping.” She spoke. “Are you feeling alright?” Lyra and Gentle Star felt quite nervous as Ocean Soul gasped gently.
“Y- yes!” Ocean Soul said. “Just… unfamiliar with your mother is all.” Maverick immediately got in front of Ocean Soul as he looked at his sister. Bloodline smirked as Mother then looked at her children.
“So, Bloodline… I heard about what you do in life. How you pursued knowledge to your advantage.” She said.
“Indeed. This one strives for power!” Bloodline smiled, glaring at his brother.
“And I notice that you care and love others, Maverick.” Mother smiled, petting his cat.
“Until my dying breath.” Maverick spoke, glaring at his sister back. Mother then stomped a hoof on the ground gently, causing the others to look at her once again. Even though it was not powerful, it almost felt as if a shockwave passed through the land itself. Bloodline and Maverick looked at Mother as she smiled.
“Power without love is no good.” She spoke. “A leader must understand her people. Just as love without power is meaningless. If you cannot defend for yourself, how can you defend those who you love?”
“Hmm… seeking balance again, Mother?” Bloodline asked, her vampiress fangs showing.
“You know what sister and I do and strive for, Mother.” Maverick told her.
Mother thought back. Ever since they were young, they were always fighting. Bloodline to prove her dominance, and Maverick to prove that compassion would rule. She then spoke. “I will not have my children bicker today. It is a day of celebration. Not for my day, but for both of my foals. It is an opportunity for the both of you to put your egos aside and celebrate. If you do not… I will make you celebrate. Do both of you understand?”
Maverick and Bloodline, though strong in their own ways, felt small compared to Mother. They looked at one another, sighed, and then prostrated in front of their mother.
“Mother… I’m so sorry if we upset you.” Maverick said quietly.
“This one seeks your forgiveness.” Bloodline added, keeping her head low.
Mother smiled, releasing Rafael, and placed her hooves under their chins, having them look into her eyes. “I’ve seen you two grow up. Though you bicker and fight, today will be a day to celebrate together.”
Maverick and Bloodline then looked at one another for a moment, then back at their mother, and in a stunning turn of events… they bumped hooves together.
“For mother’s sake… let’s be a family once again.” Maverick said.
“If for one day, this one wants to put aside hostility.” Bloodline added.
Mother smiled gently as she turned towards Ocean Soul. “Maverick tells me you have a special treat for me?”
Gentle Star nodded. “We made a cake for you! Maverick said you like a dessert called ‘Sachertorte.’”
“Indeed I do…” Mother smiled. Maverick then used this as a cue to go with Gentle Star into the kitchen and grab the torte. They placed candles on the dessert and brought it out to Mother, lighting the candles in the process. Gentle Star was all smiles as Maverick smiled back, but secretly felt just a bit nervous. Mother smiled as Maverick and his friends as well as Bloodline surrounded her singing;

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Mother!
Happy Birthday to you!

Mother was smiling as she stood for a moment, then made her wish, blowing out her candles. The others applauded as Bloodline then took a knife, examined it, and looked at her brother. She smiled as she used her magic to slice the dessert into equal pieces, serving the guests. Mother took a bite, smiling.
“Delicious…” She whispered, then looked at Bloodline. “I take it you baked it?”
“Of course.” Bloodline smiled.
“You always did love to bake.” Mother said gently as she took another bite, in bliss. Bloodline then served the other guests with herself and Maverick last. She looked at Maverick, giving a small smile, taking a bite of her creation. Maverick didn’t care much for chocolate, but ate a bite. And then another. A small smile on his face.
“Not too bad…” He said gently.
“Delicious!” Lyra smiled. “You can tell a lot of effort went into it!”
“Indeed.” Ocean Soul said, although feeling a bit nervous. “Well done, Bloodline.”
“Thank you.” Bloodline smiled, then looked at Maverick. “Perhaps this one should bake you something for your birthday…” She said with a smirk.
“Maybe someday… if this alliance can last that long.” Maverick snickered.
“Some things never change…” Mother smirked, taking another bit of her dessert as she looked at her son and daughter once again… © Andrew Faehling https://www.deviantart.com/strike-of-the-ninja

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