Nothing But Memories - Junicorn 2022

The sun shone down on the lively streets of Candentia, the warm rays of light reflecting off the worn stones. It was an understatement to say that it was hot, but the streets were still filled with Quirlicorns, darting back and forth as they went about their daily business like normal, although there were some that tried to stay in the relatively cooler shade as much as possible. Most of the vendors had put up canopies over their carts or storefronts, to provide some relief from the hot summer sun. 

"He really does look like his father," one of the merchants said, as she conversed with a customer. 

"You probably don't remember, but Sonnet looks almost exactly like Noxaeterna did as a foal."

"Does he?"

"Most certainly. He holds head up exactly the way Noxaeterna did. And you can see some resemblance in their builds as well. Not quite the same, but similar enough." 

The merchant tilted her head, thinking of the last time she had seen Sonnet, mentally comparing the foal to his father.  

"Speaking of Sonnet..."

Both quirlicorns turned their heads in the same direction, and watched as the young purple colt trotted through the streets. The streets weren't particularly crowded, but whatever Quirlicorns that were in the street seemed to unconsciously shift out of the young Quirlicorn's way. Sonnet didn't seem to realize what his presence did —at least, Sonnet didn't appear to acknowledge the way all heads turned towards him. 

At Sonnet's side, as per usual, was his twin sister. Minuet was a few steps behind Sonnet, her eyes darting around as she took in the Quirlicorns around her. She was an observant one, arguably more similar to her uncle, Luxaeterna, than her father. (Sonnet was the one everyone had pinpointed as a miniature version of Noxaeterna.) But in terms of her build and mannerisms, she, too, was incredibly similar to her brother, and by extension, their father. 

Minuet seemed to say something to Sonnet, and Sonnet nodded. Then Sonnet started giggling, a genuine smile worming its way onto his face. Minuet soon joined in. A few more moments passed, as the foals made their way down the street, chatting the entire way. Then suddenly, Minuet stopped and turned towards Sonnet. She seemed to whisper something quietly to her twin brother. The merchant Quirlicorn wondered what the two foals were saying, silently bemoaning the chaotic loudness that was always present in the Candentia streets. 

She didn't need to wonder for very long, as Sonnet and Minuet soon wandered over to her stand.

"Hello!" Sonnet said. His voice was youthful. "What do you have here?"

"Oh, I sell all sorts of cold drinks," the merchant answered.

"Like what?" Sonnet asked, sounding every bit the foal that he was.

"Well, we have iced tea, both sweetened and unsweetened, fruit punch, an important strawberry drink, straight from the Plains Region, some different lemonades, some different fruit juices, and cold apple cider."

Sonnet turned towards Minuet, a question evident in his eyes. "What do you suggest we try, Minuet?"

Minuet took a moment to ponder, before answering, "Could we have two lemonades, please?"

"Certainly, just give me a moment," she replied, smiling warmly at the two foals. Sometimes, she wondered about what the two foals would grow up to do, especially when rumors floated around about unknown prophecies and the succession of Candentian rule. But other times, she just wondered if the two foals would get to experience all the delights of foalhood, before being forced to take the role they were born into. 

She quickly prepared two ice cold lemonades, and offered one to each of the two foals. 

"Thank you," Minuet said, dipping her head the slightest. She took a tentative sip of the lemonade. Delight instantly spread across her face, with her eyes ever so slightly crinkling and her gentle smile widening.

Sonnet dug through his small bag with magic for a bit, before pulling out a gold coin. "Thanks!"

He placed the gold coin on the stand, frowning for a moment. "Father said this would be enough." Sonnet then looked up at her, as if asking her to confirm the gold coin would be enough payment for the lemonade.

Did no one teach the two foals how to ask for the price of something? Perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised Noxaeterna just told his foals to take out a gold coin to pay for everything. After all, Regent Radiance certainly had enough gold in her reserves, more than enough to be able to buy anything in Candentia without blinking twice. 

"It's more enough," she said after a brief moment, "Hang on a second, I'll get you the change."

Sonnet didn't seem to catch her last sentence. "Come on Minuet, let's go find the cake Resplendence told us to try!" Sonnet said instead to his sister, bounding off towards some other merchant with the lemonade hovering at his side. 

The merchant stared at the gold coin.

"Makes you wonder how out of touch these foals will be," her other customer said, "Not being taught the meaning of money."

She shrugged, "They're still young, there's time for them to learn."