Warm Hearts - A collection of short stories.

The snowflake drifted lazily towards the ground, the first sign of a coming snowfall. Gentle breezes pushed it back and forth, causing it to dance in the wind, before landing atop the muzzle of mare. The mare crossed her eyes to look at it, and gave a little smile.

“I really like this time of year, Bonnie. Sure, it’s cold, and the snow makes it hard to walk, but there’s something nice about it, you know?”

Lyra sat down on the ground as she spoke to her friend, the cold seeping into her flanks immediately. She didn’t mind.

“I think it’s because it feels like a fresh start. New beginnings. The snow’s gonna’ melt soon, and everything’s going to grow back in, greener than ever. All your favourite flowers will start blooming again. Oh! Speaking of...”

With a little bit of amber magic, a slightly limp flower was pulled out of the saddlebag affixed to Lyra’s back.

“I got you this. You wouldn’t believe how tough it was to find in the middle of winter, especially around this time of year. It’s a white carnation. Your favourite, right?” Lyra scratched her head and blushed. “Or was that pink carnations? I never was good at remembering these things...”

She scuffed the ground with a hoof before putting down the carnation.

“Well, anyway, it’s Heart’s and Hooves day again. How long have we been seeing each other now? Four years?” A small smile graced the mare’s lips as she thought back. “It sure has been a while. Remember that time we had dinner with my parents, and you spilled the wine all over that mare at the next table?” Lyra laughed. “Her face was priceless. Your face was priceless too, when you were apologizing!”

Lyra sighed, content. “That’s what I love about you. You’re so nice. There isn’t a single mean bone in your body.”

The snow had started falling steadily, piling up on the ground in little heaps, blanketing the world in a pristine white blanket.

“I think I should go soon. But before I do, I wanted to talk to you about something...” Her voice was a bit quieter now, and she looked to the ground as though ashamed. “I guess this takes me back to what I said earlier, about new beginnings.”

She stood up and brushed the snow off her back, where it had collected while she sat. “I met a mare a few days ago. She seemed really nice. Kind of like you, you know? Not that I’m replacing you or anything!” she said, her eyes widening. “I really don’t want you to think that. It’s just that, you’ve been gone a while now, and I figured you wouldn’t want me moping around on my own for the rest of my life.”

Lyra looked to the side, a slight blush on her cheeks. “This is going to sound awfully cliché, but I was kind of hoping you’d give me your blessing. It’s not like we’re getting married or anything, but it would make me feel a lot better if you did. So... do I have it?”

There was no sound in the cemetery except for that of Lyra awkwardly shuffling her hooves.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

Lyra quickly leaned down and kissed the top of Bon-Bon’s tombstone.

“Thanks, Bonnie.”