The summer breeze nipped at the thin green reeds, tossing them aside as it snaked across the marshy shores of the lake. I trudged through the tall grass, making a point as I went to lift my knees dramatically over in a sassy strut. The beach was dead silent, save for the annoying caws of seagulls drifting above and the occasional fluttering sound as a beetle made its way through the air.
My blue and white striped towel was draped over my back, and it too, wavered in the wind's embrace. I clenched a rather heavy basket in my teeth, which swayed with every step I took. I finally broke from the cluster of vegetation that hugged the curves of the land, my gaze overlooking the entire beach from this perfect viewpoint.
Nothing had changed since the previous year; the lake was still, and you could see dozens of tiny little insects buzzing about on its clear surface. Fragments of rock and driftwood lay embedded in the pale yellow sand. The beach gave way to a layer of stones varying greatly in size, which lined the water's edge and remained for the drop into the lake. I inhaled deeply, the intoxicating aroma of flowers and pleasant things a such wafted in from the east.
"Ahh." I sigh contentedly as I scouted out the perfect spot to rest. The vast expanse of shore offered many potential spots, but I decided upon a particularly nice-looking patch of sand, illuminated in the spotlight of the sun. I laid down the towel, allowing into flutter gracefully down before I flattened it just so to appease my touch of OCD. From the woven basket, I withdrew a half-empty bottle of sunscreen, some bugspray, a pair of large, squared sunglasses and an an egg salad sandwich my mom had made for me on my way out.
I can still recall the first time, a few years ago, that I met my mom. Ever since then, my adoptive father, Diamond Crescent has let my mother stay with us in our place while she looks for a job - he even lets her come to our summer cabin! My friends always say I'm so lucky because I have young parents, which means by default that they must be cool. They've steadily settled into the unofficial role of married parents. I used to think lovey-dovey antics were gross, because of cooties and the like, but their relationship has just become another part of my life. I fact, it is a nice feeling to finally have a somewhat complete and normal family.
I love our cabin; with its cute little decor and the crisp smell of freshly-washed bedsheets always in the air, I find it difficult not to love every second I spend out here. The beach is a great place to get some solitude when I need it most, to maybe crack open a good book and have a quiet lunch all to myself. Such was the case with today. The place is generally quiet... a little too quiet if you ask me. There is nopony around other than Diamond and Magenta, so we tend to get a little grumpy with each other if we're cooped up together too long. The house next to us has been vacant for years, ever since the old Pegasus couple moved to a retirement home in Cloudsdale, so we don't often get any interesting visitors.
I sighed openly as I smeared a gob of white sunscreen onto my forelegs, carefully dabbing some on the tip of my muzzle and behind my ears. Dad has some weird phobia of getting a sunburn or something like that, so he taught me to apply sunscreen generously.
My ears stood erect as the distinct sound of a door slamming sounded from a little ways behind me. I blinked in surprise, turning to see a colt with a shaggy black mane and tan coat slink from the creaking porch of the neighbouring cabin. He was quite cute despite his bedhead mess of a mane, and hallelujah! - he appeared about fourteen or so, just like me. His dark eyes were cast down and his ears drooped as he walked. As he neared the cliff of dirt that sloped down to the sandy beach, his dismal trance was broken as he noticed my presence. His storm-like eyes locked on me with a mixture of shock an utter terror.
"Hey!" I called with an idle wave of my hoof, brushing one of my curled locks from my eyes. "What's your name?"
The silence was deafening as it filled every nook of my ears. Even the gulls seemed to hold their breath as he stared at me blankly. "I don't bite!" I giggled, a gentle smirk curved on my lips. "My name is Viola."
His mouth opened slowly and hung ajar for some time as he fumbled for the right words. "I'm... Nightheart." he finally gasped after what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence. He looked away from my searching eyes, a hint of a timid blush hung on his cheeks.
"Nightheart, huh? Cool name! Are you, uh, staying here for the summer?" I inquired, standing to my hooves. He gave a slight nod, not saying a word. His eyes flickered for a fleeting moment to the beach towel, and then back to me. There were shadows beneath his eyes, those from lack of sleep and... what appeared to be the beginnings of a black eye forming on one. "Are you alright? Where did you get that?"
"I fell." came his meek response. It was evident he hadn't simply 'fallen' from the bruises and cuts that scattered his thin body. However, I knew it would be an unwise decision to prod him further on the matter. Searching for a distraction, I settled my flank down on the beach blanket, patting it gently.
"Would you care to join me?"
"Um, sure." he replied with a weak smile, and trotted over to my side. I couldn't help but notice the faintest of limps in his right foreleg, a stagger where several scars ran up and down like a failed pattern. I tried my best not to stare, but I could see him catch my non-chalant glances to his wounds. "I was injured." he blurted in explantation.
"Oh." was all my mouth could muster at that moment, for I, too, was at a complete loss for words. He was cute, but unbearably shy. I'd have to be patient if I wanted him to warm up to me. A sudden growl of my stomach nagged for attention to my growing hunger, I hadn't had breakfast, so I was starved. I reached for my sandwich and broke it in two halves, offering one to the colt. "Want some?" I offered after I had swallowed a large bite of my half.
"You wouldn't mind?" he asked, his eyes shining like a lone star drifting in a sea of black. He was reacting as though I had just spared him from certain death, not simply handed him a bit of egg salad sandwich. I shake my head and shrug. "Wow, thank you!" He gingerly took the sandwich half from my hoof and took a bite. Nightheart smiled silently as the creamy taste filled his mouth.
"No sweat. It's just a sandwich." I laugh. To my surprise, he joined with a slight chuckle.
"Listen, I-" he began, but his words were interrupted by a loud shout. I craned my neck, making out the silhouette of a tall, muscular-looking stallion standing on Nightheart's porch. He yelled once more, calling the colt's name angrily. There was a hint of ice tainting his voice as he made his way down the stairs. As he neared, I could see his lips were curled into a stern frown and his muzzle was covered with bristly stubble. I could sense the fear pounding in Nightheart's mind as his father approached us. He trembled in his place, dropping the sandwich onto the towel.
"Hey, dad..." he half-said, half-whimpered, lowering his head to avoid the icy glare of his father. The stallion peered down at me and snorted, his eyes sending a clear message: Beat it.
"Aww, you makin' some friends?" the stallion mocked, his tone babyish and pouty, only to harden as he continued to speak. "Get inside, now, we got work to do." Obediently, Nightheart stood up and galloped off towards his cabin. For a brief moment, his entrancing eyes darted back to me and our eyes locked once more, before her vanished into his home. The stallion gave me an unimpressed look, and I cringed as he spat at the ground near my hooves. My eyes followed him as he sauntered back to his cabin, a smug smile on his face.
When he had finally disappeared from sight, I hastily gathered my things, tossing them into the wicker basket, and ran for home. As I dashed across the field, the welcoming sight of my mother lying in a hammock with a book in hoof greeted me. Calmed my mind for a moment, but it quickly returned to dwell on Nightheart. My thoughts couldn't help but wander to all that I had just witnessed. Everything about this timid colt falling together, and I could clearly see his world crumbling before my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder...
I couldn't help but wonder where he got those scars.
Everything was perfect - and yet, I couldn't bring myself to sleep. The warm air had just a touch of humidity, but every once in a while a cool breeze would drift in the wake of the water's clockwork cycle. In and out. The water lapped at the shore, swelling over the sand and cooling what remained of the sun's fading heat. The bullfrogs that perched in the bog-like section of the lake croaked in tune to an invisible maestro, forming the notes of a beautiful symphony. I clenched my eyes shut and shifted in my position, kicking away the covers - the go-to, fail-safe solution for every sleepless night.... had failed.
With a defeated groan, I swung my legs over the side of my bed and groped through the pitch black air for my bathrobe. The sky blue robe successfully tied around me, I made my way hesitantly down the stairs with my hoof on the banister. I crept down the hallway, careful not to disturb mom and dad as I passed their room. My heart lurched as a loud creak emanated from the floor. Thankfully, my mother's dragon-like snoring was enough to mask the disturbance, and I was soon on my way outside.
I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs to the brim with the crisp night air. I grinned as the familiar hum of crickets chirping droned on around me. A few fireflies buzzed about like lone stars in the dark. I was perfectly alone... free to spend the wee hours of the night in the peaceful embrace of nature. Mom would kick my butt if she caught me, but I'm sure Diamond could persuade her that it was just some harmless summer pass-time. Yes, sweet solitude. That was until I noticed the flickering glow of a lantern emanating from the beach. Cocking my head, I followed the light. Sure enough, the silhouette of an earth pony sitting alone beside a candlelight lantern came into view. I could hear him mumbling something to himself as he gazed up at the lone moon, a sliver against the sky.
"Nightheart? Is that you?" I asked. The colt whipped his head around to see me, clearly startled.
"Viola! You... scared me." he gasped. "What are you doing out here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." I retorted. Something competitive within me always urged me to argue when it came to questioning.
"I was just... getting some.. fresh air." he mumbled with a shrug.
"Right. And I'm an alicorn. What were you really doing out here?" I said with a smirk. I settled down on the sand beside him, dipping my hooves in the water. Despite my sarcasm, he laughed.
"Can you keep a secret?" the colt sighed. To my surprise, I felt the brush of his foreleg against my back as it found its way in the sand just behind me. I nodded vigorously. "Well.... I sneak out here every night and talk-" the remainder of his sentence came out in an incoherent murmur.
"Huh?"
"I kinda... talk to the moon sometimes. Feels like she's the only one who'll listen to me anymore." he whispers. I could nearly feel the heat rising of his cheeks. He was afraid. Afraid of being judged, most likely. I nodded slowly in silent response, pressing my tongue against my cheek. I admit, talking to the moon was odd. But something about him didn't leave me surprised.
"Why's the moon a "she"? Is it Luna?" I asked.
"No. Not Luna. The moon herself. She's a 'she' because the moon reminds me of my mom in some ways. The moon is there for me as much as it can be, like my mom. She has to work two jobs to pay for rent, while my dad handles a carpentry business of the side. She's hardly ever home, but when she is, she makes sure I'm fed and happy. And my mom always listens to me and calms me down." Nightheart explained.
I bit my lip as I fought the urge to reach out to him, hug him, do.... something to calm him as his shoulders convulsed in a sob. I knew he was trying to hide it from me, the way his head jerked away. Probably trying to look tough for me. Truth was, I didn't care for those insensitive colts. I placed a hoof on his shoulder, resting my head on it as that very hoof worked across his back and hugged his side.
"Shh." I cooed.
"I... um, I also like looking at the night sky because it fascinates me. Shooting stars, comets and the like. I admire the moon the most though. I study her cycles all the time. I love Astronomy. That is even how I got my cutie mark." he said, gesturing to his thigh. In the dim glow of the lantern's light, I could make out the mark of a large heart with a crescent moon behind it.
"No kidding! My dad got his cutie mark from astronomy too! You remind me a lot of him.... he likes the moon the best as well. He tried teaching me the constellations once... but I kinda forgot." I giggled.
"Wow, really? Maybe I could meet him sometime. I'm still working on the constellations myself - I've got this big book of them and I read it as much as I can."
I hear the sound of a door swing open, and the sound of hoofsteps on the creaking boards of Nightheart's porch. I winced, praying to Celestia it wasn't the same stallion I had seen earlier in the afternoon. Nightheart seemed to have the same reaction, but his tensed muscles soon relaxed in my grasp as a mare approached us instead. She had a warm smile on her face, but the bags beneath her eyes was a clear signal that she worked hard.
"Nightheart, dear. It's time to come inside. You know how your father feels about you being out here." she said, her words carried to us in the gentle embrace of the wind. Her voice was beautiful; firm yet soothing. Nightheart nodded and stood to his hooves. The mare glanced at me. "Hello. I'm Nightheart's mom, Wind Whisperer."
"Nice to meet you." I responded quietly. Nightheart waved a hoof in goodbye, clenching the lantern handle in his teeth. I waved silently, a grin on my face. The two returned to their house. Nightheart vanishing after his mother, but not before he had paused to smile at me. A cool breeze rustled the leaves of the birches beside me, snaking down my spine and chilling me to the bone. Tying my robe a little tighter, I made my way to my cabin, a bounce in my step as I trotted to the tune of the crickets and the frogs.
