[PRP] Sweet Success (Neo/Fudge/Sprinkleberry/Jubilee)

[belloblossom]

Neo had never imagined herself to be a mother. She'd never have guessed the party favors that she'd discover nine months later, after a party in Winterbloom. It seemed so long ago now, for her three fillies were now grown adults. Fudge, Cherry Jubilee and Sprinkleberry had grown into lovely mares and Neo couldn't be a happier mother. She'd hoped they may stay near Everville, but it became apparent that her daughters all shared different seasons. One in spring, like herself, another in winter like their father, Funfetti, and a third in summer, a complete surprise to the Scoop family! As she watched them grow, she observed their interests turning into different directions and she realized with some maternal panic, that they were all going to grow up in different locations. Fudge spoke about wanting to move to Melting Point in the summer sector to open an ice cream shoppe. She overheard Sprinkleberry mentioning a love of pastries and baking, while Jubilee seemed to take after her mother and travel towards a path of journalism. Such different paths, it reminded Neo of her sister and brother. At least their careers all had something to do with food and they kept relatively close together. Both Neo and her sister Tipsy Berry lived in Everville with their parents, while Milk Tea had gone off to settle elsewhere. She was so used to having her family close by, so to hear that her own daughters had plans to move so far away... She knew exactly what she had to do.

Neo called a meeting between her daughters at her mother's bakery. She'd purchased a couple of snacks: strawberry tarts, strawberry lemonade, chocolate-dipped strawberries, for once her girls arrived. If her girls were going to move away, she could at least organize a meeting time for the sisters to reconnect a few times over the year. She could travel to see her girls thanks to her work flexibility and she could exercise her right to bring them altogether as a mother for holidays, but she wanted to set up a system where they would meet with one another semi-frequently, so they always had the tight bond with each other that the rest of the Scoop family did.

Once her fillies got here, she would decree this to be the first official meeting, set them up and leave them to it. She just needed to await their arrival..
They'd best get here fast, too. She was eyeing one of the sweet tarts. Before I eat all the snacks that were intended for them.

Fudge was the first to arrive, well, the second if she considered her mother getting there first. Despite living with her mother in Everville, their schedules rarely matched up. Fudge worked full-time at a local ice cream shop. She worked hard at her job, wanting to learn everything about the craft. She had the most fun in creating new sundae combinations and wondered if her grandfather, Sundae Scoop, would find some irony in that. Grandpa Sundae looked so much like the sundaes that she created. It was as she was leaving her job to head to Grandma Rosa's bakery, that she came up with the idea to create sundaes based around all of her family members. She smiled at the thought. Her mother would obviously feature the neopolitan ice cream for which she was named. Her Aunt Berry could be some form of sorbet and her Uncle Tea... Maybe a matcha flavoring?

She was so caught up in thinking about what flavors her own siblings would be that she ran muzzle first into the door. From inside the bakery, she heard the bell jingle upon her impact. Pushing the door open with her shoulder and rubbing her sore nose with a free hoof, she was welcomed by Grandma Rosa who stood behind the counter. Rosa approached her for a hug and then gestured to a corner table in the bakery where Fudge spotted her mother. With a smile, she headed over and took a seat, scooping up one of the chocolate-dipped strawberries and popping it into her mouth. Through the juices, she asked.
"So, what's this meeting about?" She asked her mother, but Neo shook her head. "Patience, Fudgie dear, I'll tell you when your sisters have arrived too." Her mother replied and so, Fudge opted to getting comfortable. Who knew how long they'd be waiting before Sprinkleberry and Jubilee arrived?
@Ruler @Joshuality ​

 

[Ruler]

Jubilee wasn't far behind her sister Fudge. She was running a little late, which was unusual for her - as someone who had meetings with various subjects for her writing, she had to be on time. Early, even, most times - but for some reason Cherry Jubilee had always had a problem with arriving in a timely fashion. Internally, she hoped with all her might that her mother wouldn't be too upset.

As she reached her grandmother's bakery, she took a moment to compose herself (read: fixing up her mane) before calmly entering the shop, bells tinkling at her entrance. Cherry Jubilee smiled wide at Rosa Latte before spotting her mother and one of her sisters seated in a corner booth. Quickly, she shuffled over, noting thankfully that she wasn't the last to arrive.

Gracefully seating herself beside Fudge, almost immediately Jubilee eyes lit up as she grabbed for a chocolate-covered strawberry of her own, popping it into her mouth. She glanced happily at her Neo. "I was going to ask why this meeting of the minds was called, but since you brought treats, I'm much less worried about it. No Sprinkleberry yet?"

@belloblossom @Joshuality

 

[Joshuality]

When Sprinkleberry got the invite for a 'family meeting', she didn't know what to expect. Those words aren't threatening in any way, and yet they hit in that strange area just enough to be unsettling. It wasn't unlike receiving a message from a loved one saying 'We need to talk.' Yessir, those words could make a pony's heart drop. Those were words used when you had bad news or needed an intervention... This wasn't one of those occasions, she was sure. Mother probably just wanting to have a little family get-together! They were most likely just going to chat and laugh and just generally enjoy themselves. Sprinkleberry and her family would just enjoy their time and-

"THE TIME!" Sprinkleberry exclaimed suddenly, realizing she was already running late. "Oh, sweet Dreamer," she whispered to herself as she rushed to cram her belongings into her saddlebag. She'd gotten so wrapped up in her thoughts she completely lost track of the time. The pegasus hurriedly tucked away her things and sprinted out the door toward the bakery.

This wouldn't be the first time something like this had happened, and it definitely wouldn't be the last. Sprinkleberry was known amongst her siblings as the.. unorthodox one. She was always busying herself with trivial things, so much so she'd always get too caught up in whatever she was doing. However, this also seemed to include her own thinking- she could get lost in thought for hours and be none the wiser. Blast, maybe this was an intervention.

Thankfully with her mission in mind, Sprinkleberry made it to her grandmother's bakery without incident. She pushed open the door and spotted her kin. Just as she suspected, she was the last to arrive.

"Sorry, everypony!" Sprinkleberry apologized as she trotted over. "I was writing down recipes and then I started thinking, and you know how it is when I get to thinking, and I lost track of time and suddenly an hour had passed without me realizing and I just.." She took a deep breath, cutting off her own ramblings, and restarted with a greeting. "..Hi!"

@belloblossom @Ruler​

 

[belloblossom]

Neo waited patiently for her other daughters to arrive, making small talk with Fudge. Fudge was happy to tell her about her newest idea on how to celebrate the family: by making sundaes based off all of them. As her eldest daughter rattled off various ice cream flavors in between bites of chocolate strawberry, Neo passed her a napkin and said. "Chew with your mouth closed, Fudge. We're in public." And she watched her eldest wipe her mouth with the napkin with a sheepish grin and that was when Jubilee arrived. Smiling at the arrival of her middle child and reached an arm around her daughter to offer a side hug. "Thank you for joining us, Jubilee." She said and smiled. "Every meeting is made better with snacks. Especially ones made by Rosa and Tipsy. The chocolate strawberries are her specialty, of course." She said.

"Yeah, we're still waiting on Sprinkles, but you know how she can be." Fudge answered her sister and grinned. "But hey, not our problem if she misses out on all the snacks, right? The early bird gets the strawberry tart and all that." She chuckled and reached for a tart. "Say, Jubilee, do you even like cherry jubilee ice cream? I'm gonna make a sundae based around you, but I figured it would make sense to like, ask you if you actually like what you were named after. I guess I didn't even think of it until now-haha!" Fudge laughed. "If you don't, I can always use some other sort of pink ice cream. Strawberry, maybe. Or maybe a cherry sorbet-hey Sprinkles!" She said and scooted over closer to her mother to make room for her sister. "Well, you're not that late. This time, anyway. There's still snacks for you, see? But this tart is mine." She said, scooting the tart she'd staked her claim on closer to her.

Once her youngest had arrived, Neo smiled despite her loud entrance and moved her mane out of her face.
"Well, you're all here now, so that's what matters." She said and cleared her throat, sitting up a little straighter. "Now, ladies, I'm sure you're all wondering what I've called you here for and... Well it's because I would like to celebrate your successes... and help you prepare for your futures." Neo had more than just the meeting in mind for her dear daughters, after all. "Fudge, I'm proud of you for figuring out your dream within our little foodie family. I'm sure you'll go on to make sundaes that anypony can enjoy, from the youngest of foals to the most mature of taste palettes. Jubilee, it means so much to me that you've taken on a career similar to my own. Journalism is a wonderful calling and you're so suited to it. Wherever you may travel, I'm sure ponies will benefit from your company. Dear Sprinkleberry, you are still finding your calling. Whether you choose the road of a pastry chef or baker, or something new entirely, you will have my admiration and support. It feels like such a long time ago that you were my little ponies, but now you all are grown and moving on to greater adventures."

Neo raised a napkin to her eyes which were beginning to mist over, dabbing at the corners. Smiling warmly at each of her daughters, she continued.
"I may not be able to be with you every step of the way, but I wish that you might always be there for one another. Family is more important than any career, you see. So, I would like you girls to make a promise to me that wherever your jobs may take you, that you'll keep in touch with each other... and with your dear mother, if you can spare the postage. I should like you to promise, also, to meet each other four times a year. Once for every changing season. Whether that be in Everville or one of the neutral territories where all might be comfortable... Just promise me you'll stick together, my dears and that you'll stay in touch. It would mean so much to me."

Of all the reasons to invite them out there... Fudge looked to her sisters, wondering if they were as surprised with their mother's sentimentality as she was. Her mother usually seemed so professional, so composed... Seeing her so emotional, it made Fudge tear up too.
"Oh, Mama! Of course we'll stay together, right?" She looked from her mother to her sisters for encouragement. "Even if I should move to Melting Point, that won't prevent me from writing home-or visiting tons! Even if my ice cream shop becomes the most popular in all of Summer's Touch, I'll always make time for my family!" She insisted. She put down her strawberry tart, half-eaten and after brushing off the crumbs and stickiness on her napkin, she stuck one hoof over her heart and her other in the air. "Here, if it means so much to hear it. I, Fudge Scoop, promise to see my sisters four times a year, at least, and stay in contact with my lovely mother, father and relatives beyond, forever." She lowered her hooves and smiled at her sisters and mother. She'd done her part, it was time for someone else to talk again. @Ruler @Joshuality
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[Ruler]

Cherry Jubilee hugged her mother and settled in, and immediately Fudge got to talking. She couldn't help but smile to herself. As much as she enjoyed the idea of being out and about, traveling constantly, she really did love her family and all their quirks.

To her sister's inquiry she said, "Y'know, I never really did like cherries. Strawberry might be a better go. But absolutely with chunks of strawberry in it. Of course." She punctuated this with another chocolate-covered strawberry and a smile just as sweet.

Then, Sprinkleberry made her way in, apologizing profusely for her lateness. Not soon after, the girls' mother began to speak.

And what a speech it was. Jubilee caught Fudge Scoop's eye, who was also quite surprised at their mother's raw emotion and vulnerability. It was different from what they were used to, but not unwelcome. Ever the one to tear up at the drop of a hat, more than once Jubilee caught herself wiping tears away from the corners of her eyes. Fudge then spoke - quickly - in an attempt to assuagecher mother's fears. She looked around at Sprinkleberry and Cherry Jubilee, and the little red pony found herself nodding quickly.

"Of course! And though my job may take me to the corners of Everchange (gosh, do I hope I get those opportunities), I will always find time for my family. And yes, mama, I can spare the postage," she added with a roll of her eyes. "Ditto - what Fudge said. My heart will always be with you all, you should know that." Jubilee's eyes, though freshly rolled, were still tearing up a bit as she looked at her mother, then Fudge, then over at Sprinkleberry, wondering what she might cook up to say next.

@belloblossom @Joshuality

 

[Joshuality]

Sprinkleberry gladly plopped down beside her sisters and her mum, thankful that none of them were upset with her for being late.. again. She then surveyed the snacks laid out in front of them. Her eyes locked on her target- a pleasingly plump chocolate-dipped strawberry. Scooping it up in her claws, she brought it towards herself and began munching away. As always, it was absolutely delicious. not that she'd expect any less, of course.

The attention shifted over to their mother, Neo, once she began speaking. Sprinkleberry wiped her claws on a napkin as she listened, her ears perked curiously. Neo's speech was unexpectedly wholesome and deep-cutting, chipping away at even Sprinkleberry's heart. Their mother wasn't usually a vulnerable woman, and seeing her tear up as she spoke caused tears to spring up in Sprinkleberry's eyes as well.

Alas, this didn't change even as the torch was passed between her sisters as they each gave their share in turn. To hear not only her mother being so emotional, but both of her siblings, too? Well, here come the water works. Sprinkleberry's sentimentality came spilling out from her eyes and she looked at her family with a smile.

"I l-love you all so much," she stuttered out before clearing her throat to continue steadier. "Sorry, I just.. Yes. No matter how far apart we get, I will always ALWAYS keep in touch with you! You guys are my family.. I swear on it, I will meet up with everypony here as often as I can, and even visit each of you individually from time to time! Including you, Momma." Sprinkleberry reached out and grasped both of her sister's hooves. "I know we all may be going different places in life, but I will forever support my sisters... and I will love you always."

@belloblossom @Ruler ​

 

[belloblossom]

Neo Scoop looked between all three of her daughters and gave a little contented sigh.
"I'm so relieved to hear that, my darlings. You all deserve every happiness in the world. With your sweetness, your creativity and your wit you're sure to get there." Neo looked to each of her daughters again, smiling and then from under the counter, she pulled out three named envelopes for her daughters, written in her notoriously messy, but legible, scrawl. She passed each of the envelopes to its respective owner and explained. "In these letters you will find the information to a bank account in each of your names and the required codes and numbers. Your father, grandparents and I have all been saving up quite some time for you girls, once you came of age. Hopefully these bits will help you on your way." Neo had worked hard to earn all the bits that she was giving to her daughters. Her mother, Rosa, had put together a small fund for each of her offspring. Neo didn't know where Tipsy or Milk Tea had used their bits, but Neo's own portion had gone straight to her foals. Every bit she made that she could spare went into the accounts for her daughters and Funfetti would send money for every holiday that Neo had added to the funds too. Bit by bit, year after year and finally they were old enough to handle such a substantial amount. It had been divided among them equally, of course. Neo just hoped it was enough.

Neo was the first to rip into her envelope. deep red magic swirled around the folded papers inside, her eyes scanning the numbers until she spotted the total at the bottom of the second page... and her jaw dropped. Even when she closed her mouth, her lower lip trembled. Th-This was too much... She couldn't accept this... Between this and what she'd saved from work... She'd be able to put a down payment on a storefront she'd been eyeballing at Melting Point. Her magic faltered and sputtered out as she buried her muzzle in her hooves and began to weep. She felt feathers on her back and new her mother had extended a wing over her shoulders.
"Oh sweet, Fudge, do not cry. This is a gift I am meaning to give you three and gifts are meant to be happy affairs." Came the soothing voice of her mother. "You girls are the best gift I could ever have asked for. Motherhood was the best journey that I have gone on and I have you three to thank for that. So let me help you get you girls going on your journeys. Okay?" Fudge reached over the table to grab at some strawberry lemonade, grabbing the cup with her hoof and tipping it back. Swallowing repeatedly and wiping her nose on her arm, Fudge did a lot of snuffling and had to eat two chocolate strawberries before she had fully calmed down.
"Oh Mama, th-thank you so much." Was all she could think to say, still in a great deal of shock as she folded her paper back into its envelope. It was then that Neo Scoop scooted out of of her chair and walked around to the table.
"Well then, my lovelies, this is where I'm parting ways with you for now. I do encourage you to stay here a while, let this be the first of many meetings of the Scoop Sisters. I'll be at home if you'd like to stop by... but I suspect with this money in your pocket, you'll be eager to be on your ways when you leave the bakery." Neo placed a hoof on the table with a smile. "I love you all, so incredibly." She told them and waited a beat to hear any final farewells, before she gave a small wave and headed out the door.
Fudge watched her mother leave, then she looked back to the envelope in front of her. Finally, she looked at her two sisters.
"I don't know about you two, but that was the best family meeting I've ever had to date."
@Ruler @Joshuality

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[Ruler]

Cherry Jubilee, quite genuinely, had nothing to say. After Fudge's reaction, she was almost a bit hesitant to open the envelope - it was becoming quite clear that their mother had worked very, very hard for whatever she gave to her children - and she wasn't sure she was ready to confront that. Neo was so selfless and loving - she could only wish the same for herself. Certainly, Jubilee was a kind pony, but mama was next level.

"I just..." Jubilee shook her head, taking a second to wipe away stray tears. "I have never seen her like that. Or us really, wow... it was... it was good." She nodded, smiling at each of her sisters. "I just... don't know what to do now, y'know?" Mind swirling with myriad thoughts and feeling, she genuinely didn't know what to do with herself, or with the bits her mother had just left for her. Of course, soon enough came clarity, and her eyes were sparkling for a reason other that vulnerability. She could fund her career with these bits - traveling, like she'd always wanted to do, she might just be able to make a name for herself in Everchange. This could be the start to something great, and she had Neo to thank. As always.

@belloblossom @Joshuality ((ooc: I'm so sorry for the lateness oTL))

 

[Joshuality]

Sprinkleberry stared at the letter in her claws, admittedly trembling. It didn't feel... real. Their mother had spent all this time secretly saving up for all of her children... She couldn't imagine the amount of effort Neo had to put into this, not to mention the love and consideration. Quite frankly, Sprinkleberry felt like her heart and mind were melting. In a good way. It took everything in Sprinkleberry not to sob as she said farewell to her mother.

After their mother had left, Spinkleberry glanced around at her sisters with tears stinging her eyes. "I.. I can't believe it. Mom is always finding new ways to shock and impress us, huh?" She laughed, wiping away her own tears with a napkin. The pegasus then nodded in agreement with Jubilee when she spoke. "I'm right there with you.. I don't really know what I'm going to do," Her eyes danced between her siblings as she spoke her next line, "But I do know.. I'm gonna stick around here with my two favorite sisters. Honoring Mom's wishes seems like a good place to start."

@belloblossom @Ruler
( apologies for super long delay, I got caught up in a bit of everything ^^; )​