Clear Skies, Clouded Hearts
My name is Nightingale, sound familiar? No of course it doesn't. Few ponies know of my existence, let alone what I am called. Before you start getting weird ideas, I'll tell you why this is the way things are.
As I said my name is Nightingale. I was born in a small town by the name of Ponyville. My dad is an earth pony named Heavy Stride, as for my mother, she's a unicorn, her name's Star Weaver. Despite my heritage I was somehow born a pegasus.
I had an average foalhood, growing up in Ponyville. I went to school, I liked to hang out at Sugarcube Corner, and I was obsessed with trying to find my cutie mark just like everypony else.
That, however, is where the similarities end.
I've always been wary of other ponies, I don't know why, but I just get nervous around large groups. As you can imagine this has made it a little difficult to make friends, and trust me I've tried. This coupled with being an only child resulted in what some might call a lonely upbringing. Maybe they're right, but in truth I enjoy my solitude. I know this may seem a little bit strange, seeing as how us ponies tend to be very sociable, I don't know what to tell you, this is just the way I am, has been for as long as I can remember, and I doubt that it's about to change anytime soon.
There are some... other things that make it somewhat difficult for me to socialize with other ponies. Most ponies find work based on what their special talent is, and as everpony knows, your special talent is reflected in your cutie mark. That's fine for most ponies, I however am presented with bit of a problem... I, um... I don't have my cutie mark.
I've tried just about everything I can think of, from racing to mountain climbing. For whatever reason I just have not found my special talent, and it's starting to seem like I never will. I shouldn't have to point out that not having a cutie mark certainly hasn't been very helpful in the friend making department.
I know this doesn't immediately sound like such a big deal, you wanna say that I'll find it eventually, or that I just have to be patient. Well, I would normally agree with you, if I was 6, however I am already 19 years old. That's right a 19 year old “blank flank”, go ahead and laugh I'm used to it, just get it out of your system.
Now that we got that out of the way I can tell you a bit more about my current situation.
I still live in my foalhood home in Ponyville. My parents wanted me to move to Manehatten with them, but I didn't like the idea of living in a big city. I opted to keep the old house because it was simpler than trying to find one of my own, plus I didn't like the idea of some other pony living in the place that I had always called home.
Like many pegasi living in Ponyville, my job is to help coordinate the weather. It's not the greatest job in the world, but it pays the bills and keeps me fed. My main job is to help keep the nighttime sky clear, or to bring in late night thunderstorms. This obviously means that I normally have to be awake at night and sleep during the day, which is fine by me. If you have a coat as dark as mine you know what I mean when I say that working outside in the middle of the day is absolute torture, plus there are fewer ponies around.
My social life is virtually non existent. I normally spend my free time reading, or flying. I'm on good terms with a few ponies around town but I wouldn't call them friends. I don't have parties, and I don't celebrate the holidays, don't ask why, I just don't. That is except for Nightmare Night, because, come on who doesn't love to dress up and scare other ponies.
I've already explained who I am, and where I come from, so now I feel like I can bring some other things to light. I have a slight problem, by which I mean a HUGE problem, even bigger than not having my cutie mark, though that certainly doesn't help.
I kinda, sorta have a crush on somepony, she's on the weather team like me but we work on different shifts. In fact she's technically my boss, which I know, that's typically a big no no, but I can't help it, it's just the way things are. Now who is this mare you may ask, well I don't really want to say, but I guess I don't really have a choice. Her name is Rainbow Dash.
You're laughing aren't you, I knew this was a stupid thing to do, oh well no going back now.
Yes that's right, the quiet, blank flank, introvert has a crush on possibly the most confident and outgoing pony in all off Equestria, not to mention she's one of the six Elements of Harmony. Trust me I'm just as surprised as you are, but you know what they say, opposites attract. Though I doubt she would ever have any sort of interest in me, she probably doesn't even know I exist.
So now you know, I admit I might be over reacting... probably not though. I honestly have no idea what to do, I've barely ever spoken to a mare before now, let alone asked one out on a date. Even if I some how managed it, I wouldn't know what to do after that. No pressure. Despite this, with Celestia as my witness, nothing will stop me from at least trying... I hope.
Now I'm sure you all want to get to the real story, so you can read about, and laugh at my idiotic attempts at romance. So lets get this over with.
Without further ado I grudgingly present possibly the most pathetic excuse for a life story in the long history of Equestria.
Clear Skies, Clouded Hearts
As I opened my eyes I saw the same sight that greets me every day. Nothing. Just the plain white walls of my small bedroom.
The small clock on the nightstand next to my bed informed me that it was a quarter past seven in the evening, a full fifteen minutes before my alarm was set to go off. The single window on the western wall of my room allowed me a decent view of the sun setting over the horizon, painting the evening sky in various shades of orange and pink.
I slowly eased myself out of my warm bed, every movement elicited shouts of protest from my tired limbs. As much as I would have loved to stay in bed and drift back into my dreamland, I had to get to work clearing the skies over Ponyville.
This was how my day normally started. When other ponies were closing up shop and winding down for the day, I would be only just beginning my routine. It's how life works for ponies like me who work the 9 P.M. to 2 A.M. shift maintaining the skies over Ponyville.
After a few more seconds of silently staring at the setting sun I turned towards the doorway leading out of my bedroom, and into the bathroom. Once inside the small tiled room I headed over to look into the mirror above the sink.
Gazing into the mirror I saw myself reflected back. My coat is a dark grey color, and though my mane appears black at first, it is in fact a very deep shade of purple. 'Mane' was a generous term for the patch of hair on my head, seeing as how it looked more like a rat's nest at that moment. This was easily fixed with a few quick strokes of a brush, and after I checked over my wings and pulled a few broken feathers I was ready for the night ahead. At least I thought so. Just as I was about to leave the bathroom, something in the mirror caught my attention. My flank.
Now, normally seeing your own flank isn't exactly that big of a deal, for me however seeing that patch of fur was always one of the worst parts of my day. For on my flank there was a big ol' patch of nothing right where my cutiemark ought to be. 19 years old, and no cutiemark, doesn't get much more humiliating than that.
After that rather painful reminder, I exited back into my room and headed strait for my closet. Inside of my closet there wasn't much, just a few sweaters, a suit and tie that I hadn't worn since Hearths Warming, and an old Nightmare Night costume from a few years back. I grabbed a simple green hoody from the rack. Slipping it over me, I carefully maneuvered my wings through the holes in the sides, and pulled the zipper up so it was about half way closed. Lastly, I took a quick glance in the mirror to confirm that my attire had successfully covered the blank spots on my flank.
Finally satisfied with my appearance, I exited my room, and walked down the small corridor to the area of my home which housed the kitchen and living room.
The living room was the largest room in my house. It contained one three pony sofa, a small book shelf, and two large armchairs situated around a small coffee table. The kitchen was separated from the living room by a low wall. Inside was a refrigerator, ample counter space, and a stove as well as a small dining table with four chairs sitting near the back wall.
I've never really had an appetite when first waking up, so I decided to skip breakfast. Instead I opted for a bit of relaxation before I had to go to work for the night. Seeing as how there weren't many other options, I made my way across the living room to the small bookshelf.
Most of the books on the shelf lay within the Fantasy/Adventure genres. After a quick glance over the titles, one in particular caught my eye, and not in a good way. The small label on the spine identified the tome as a library book. The label also pointed out that said book was due back at the library on Tuesday, it was Wednesday.
“Oh that's just great” I mumbled through an exasperated sigh. “The last thing I wanted today was to get a lecture from her.”
Checking the clock on the wall informed me that it was now roughly seven thirty. I didn't have to clock in at work until eight forty-five, and the library was only a few minutes away by air.
I could just fly there, it's obviously faster, but then I'll still have almost an hour before I have to go to work. I guess I could just walk to kill some time, the book's already late, another thirty minutes won't make a difference, and the library is open late anyways.
Having made up my mind, I tucked the book under my wing and headed across the room and out the front door.
After exiting my home I was greeted with a cool breeze, a reminder that summer was making way for autumn. I turned to lock my door, and was soon trotting steadily down the dirt road towards Ponyville proper.
The road into town normally wasn't very scenic, but during this time of year it was another story. On the left side of the road was a large apple orchard called Sweet Apple Acres. With autumn setting in, the leaves of the trees were all changing from there usual green, to various shades of orange, yellow, and red. With the beautiful scenery I was quite pleased with my decision to walk to the library.
The beautiful scene soon came to an end, unfortunately, as the dirt of the road transitioned into cobblestone. Ponyville was a pretty small town, only about one or two hundred ponies lived here. This suited me just fine, as I've said before, I don't do well in crowds. When first entering Ponyville from my road the street lead strait to the market place. Normally bustling with the activity of ponies going about making various purchases, the market had wound down for the day, only a few venders were still open.
Deciding that I had enough time, I made a quick stop at the apple cart set up near the opposite end of the market.
“ Well howdy there Nightingale, ah was jus' about to close up shop fer the day, but ah have a few apples left, maybe even some cider.” The shopper keeper said by way of greeting, an orange earth pony mare by the name of Applejack. Her family owned Sweet Apple Acres.
“Cider sounds good” I responded, tossing three bits to the mare, who caught them in her stetson hat.
“Sure thing sugarcube” Applejack hoofed a glass bottle of cider over to me. Gripping the bottle with a hoof, I started back down the street towards the library. Leaving the market behind and heading strait down the street I entered the town square, which housed Town Hall and a large clock tower.
Passing town hall, I stole a glance at the clock tower near the center of town. The time was roughly eight o'clock, I still had forty-five minutes to kill. After making a right turn out of the town square the library soon came into view.
The Golden Oaks Library was unique due to the fact that it was housed within a living oak tree, not to mention that the librarian was Princess Celestia's personal student. Trotting up to the front door, I braced my self for the ordeal ahead. I raised my hoof, and knocked three times, after a few moments the door was enveloped in a magenta aura, and slowly eased open.
“Come in, I'm just finishing up a study report for the princess, I'll be with you in a minute” A voice called from inside.
I quickly entered the building, closing the door behind me. Inside the library it was well lit with candles lining the walls, illuminating numerous shelves filled with books. Many of the shelves were carved into the tree itself which allowed room for reading tables throughout the main floor.
“Open flames inside of a tree filled with books, it's a miracle this place hasn't burned down yet” I mumbled to myself, while making my way to the opposite end of the room.
“Don't worry this entire building, and all of the books, are protected by a flame retardant spell” A voice piped up from behind where I was standing.
I started at the sudden voice behind me, nearly dropping my cider, and the library book in the process. Turning around, I came face to face with Twilight Sparkle, the resident librarian. Twilight was a violet unicorn, her mane and tail were a dark shade of purple with a pink streak running through them. Her cutiemark was a six pointed star with several smaller stars surrounding it.
Only when I noticed Twilight looking confused, did I realize that I had been silent for almost an entire minute.
“Um... I came... to return this... book” I stuttered out awkwardly, extending my wing, and presenting the book to Twilight. Enveloping the book in her magic, Twilight began to look it over, likely to see if it had been damaged in my care. She stopped her examination to give me a withering look after noticing the due date on the spine.
“This book is whole day late” She grumbled, “ you really should try, and be more punctual, tardiness is a bad habit” Twilight trotted over to the desk near the front of the library with me quickly following behind.
“I know, I'm sorry. I just, kind of forgot about it” I stated meekly. The look I received from Twilight certainly did not convince me of her forgiveness. Twilight was normally a pretty nice pony, but if there is one thing she could never stand, it was tardiness, and excuses.
“Just try to remember in the future alright” Twilight huffed. Using her magic Twilight removed the time card from the spine of the book. After she stamped the card she replaced it on the spine, and levitated the book to it's proper place on one of the shelves.
Figuring that I was lucky not to have received a lecture, I decided now was a good time to make my escape. I made my way quickly across the main floor of the library, towards the exit. I was almost home free when I was stopped in my tracks by another visitor entering the library. A certain rainbow maned visitor.