>Day Unrest in the House in Equestria >You stretch yourself out as you walk up the stairs to your children's bedroom. >Ace and Hotshot, the sister and brother pair that are physical manifestations of the love you share with Spitfire. >They were both home today, which meant you needed to keep an eye on them. >Thankfully, the recent introduction of a record player had served as an ample distraction. >After you'd removed a few specific vinyls. >House of Pain among them. >Despite the lack of their favorite song, the duo had taken a liking to the music of your homeworld. >Arriving at the door, you knock twice before sticking your head into the kid's bedroom, a smile on your lips. "Hey buckaroos, ready for lunch?" >After a moment, your smile falters. >There's no sign of the little anklebiters anywhere. >Stepping inside, you stroll around the perimeter and take a cursory glance underneath the beds, behind the doors, in the closet, and their other usual hiding places. >Nothing. >Frowning a little, you scratch the top of your head and call out again. "Ace? Hotshot?" >Silence. >You spot the record player sitting on top of the bed, still turning slowly, though the needle has fallen out of the groove. >Walking over, you lift the arm and the quiet hiss that you weren't even aware of disappears. >In the sudden silence, you hear a voice from outside in the yard. >Walking over to the window, you see Hotshot running around, his hands extended out in front of him, wearing a blue bicycle helmet. >While you're a little concerned that he managed to get outside without you noticing, you can't help but smile a little as you watch him. "What the heck is he up to?" >With a few grunts and gentle jarring pains in your knees and back, you hustle downstairs and head into the yard. >Your son has dropped his arms to his side, and stands in front of a slab of stone that wasn't there this morning. >A quick glance confirms that there's no way Hotshot should have been able to move it on his own. >The boy seems oblivious to your appearance, so you watch him for a moment longer before finally clearing your throat. "Hey squir-" http://youtu.be/uRZ07C4c4CA?t=1m31s >"Even here it is not safe..." >The boy deadpans as he cuts you off, turning slightly so that you can see the hollow look in his deep brown eyes. >A chill rolls down your spine as he stares for a moment then looks back to the rock. >After a moment, you take a few steps closer, concern evident in your voice as you call out to him again. "Shot?" >He ignores you, lost in his own little world. >"Even her grave has been defaced." >Grave? >As if knowing your thoughts, he points to the rock. >Ah, he's pretending. >Though, it's a rather morbid game from the sound of it. >As you're trying to figure out where they could have gotten the idea, Hotshot speaks again. >"Someone has written, on this stone." >Kneeling down, the boy swipes his hand over the rock a few times, the stone dwarfing his comparably small hands. >You glance around for some sign of his sister, half listening as the satyr continues. >"In some angry hand... Hope rides..." >...Wait a second. >You know thi- >"ALOOONE!" >Hotshot throws his head back and howls. >You yelp and clap your hands over your ears as the cry echoes into the sky, a testament to the prolific set of pipes of the young boy. >Before you can close in on him, he cries out again. >"HOPE RIDES ALOO~ONE!" >Hotshot's focused all his attention on you now, and you can see his serious expression has given way to the usual grin. >The satyr takes another deep breath, giving you time to close the distance. >"HOPE. RIDES. ALO-woah!" >You scoop him up in your arms, cutting the 'song' short. >Coughing several times, the young boy shoots you a playful scowl. >"Aw, Poppa, I was just getting to the good part!" >You sigh and shake your head. "Where's your sister?" >"Hotshot? Why'd you stop?" >The familiar almost sing-song voice of your daughter comes from the roof of the house. >You hoist your son onto your shoulder and turn towards the sound. >After a moment, the red and orange mop of hair pops into sight, followed shortly after by your daughter's face. >Seeing you on the ground, staring straight at her, Ace squeals and drops out of sight. "Kiddo, c'mon." >Seconds tick by before Ace appears again, a pout obvious on her lips. >"Poppa, you're not supposed to be out here! Hotshot and I are practicin!" >Now it's your son's turn to look indignant, his hands awkwardly attempting to cover your ears and failing miserably. >"Ace, you promised we wouldn't tell him!" >Shaking your head, you look between the two children. "All right, enough pussyfooting around. Tell me what?" >Both look away, Hotshot kicking his legs anxiously while Ace gnaws on the corner of her lip. "Out with it." >Ace pouts again, but flutters down to the ground. >Held tight in her grip is another bicycle helmet, this one a rich red color. >Shuffling back and forth on her hooves, she looks at her brother and sighs. >"Well, me'n'Hotshot really liked this one record, because it was about family and adventure and stuff. And we thought it'd be fun..." >The boy wraps his arm around your head and laughs. >"It'd be fun if we pretended like we were in the song and then show it to you!" >The two satyr's look up at you in a mix of concern and cautious optimism. >It's not clear how much they understand about the song they're practicing. >You're not even sure they understand the album. >But, doe that really matter? >Especially if they're having fun... >After a moment, you laugh and shake your head. "You two..." >With another sigh, you reach out and ruffle your daughter's hair. "Sorry for interrupting your practice, it won't happen again. I can't wait to see it when it's ready." >Ace's eyes light up as Hotshot laughs and hugs your head tighter. >"YES!" >Patting the excitable boy's fuzzy leg, you grin. "But, it's about time for lunch. Are my little thespians hungry?" >Another cheer erupts from your son's throat as your daughter laughs and bounces over to grab your hand in hers. >The three of you make your way back up to the house. >You briefly consider explaining the story behind the lyrics to them, but unless it causes any trouble, you don't see any harm. >Besides, they're smart kids. >As much as you'd like to protect them, they'll figure out what the songs are about with the passage of time. >Best to let them stay innocent for a little while longer. >As you drop your shoulder to avoid hitting Hotshot's head on the door frame, the boy asks you. >"Hey Poppa, what's a thispeein?" >You smile at his childish mangling of the world. >Definitely the best choice.