How Snowy Night Came To Ponyville

Chapters

Chapter 1 - How I Decided To Come To Ponyville
Chapter 2 - Adjusting
Chapter 2.5 - On Snowy Night's First Coming To Ponyville
Chapter 3 - On Cutie Marks And Finding One's Purpose
Chapter 4 - Meeting The Mane 6
Chapter 5 - On Relationships, And Related Complications
Chapter 6 - Confrontations and Confounded Expectations
Chapter 7 - On Parties And Dwellings
Chapter 8 - On Muses And Meanderings

Chapter 1 - How I Decided To Come To Ponyville

The winds blew hard against the shack. It was well-built, if not exactly comfortable, and kept the brunt of the cold out; the sound was the worst. Snowy Night shivered, though not from cold. From loneliness.

It had been a couple of years since her mother had passed, and Snow - as she liked to be known, though she had no friends to call her by it - had managed to keep the shack from falling down around her, at least. In the four months when the snow melted, fresh hay and other tasty plants grew, and Snow knew many ways to dry them out so they'd keep for the other eight. Still, this being her second winter alone, Snow found herself desperately craving the company of other ponies. She remembered living in a village, once, when she was small; there had been other fillies there, and Snow had been happy. Snow hadn't been that happy in a long time, now, although she had come close when her mother was still around.

Snow pulled her blanket up over her shoulders, shuddering. The wind sounded like malevolent spirits trying to break through the walls. Logically, Snow knew that couldn't be, but alone as she was, logic had deserted the blue pony who simply curled up and waited for the storm to end.

That sound... footsteps? Was someone outside? The snow crunched under what could have been hooves... or claws. Shaking with fear, Snowy Night pulled her blanket over her head, drew her favourite stuffed animal (a pegasus) closer and hoped that whoever or whatever it was would leave her alone.

The door burst open as... wait... knocking? Whatever it was was polite enough to knock at least. Slowly, Snow crawled out fron under her blanket, past a table filled with various writings and her RainbowBook, towards the door. Snow drew herself up enough to peer through the peephole.

A... pony. It was just a pony. A pegasus, no less! Feeling significantly relieved, Snow opened the door, and the pegasus stepped in before too much cold could penetrate the shack. He had soft brown fur, and a dark grey mane, with green sparkling eyes. His cutie mark was an unopened letter.

"Evening, ma'am," said the pegasus, a male, as he raised a hoof in greeting. "I have a message for a miss Snowy White... is that you?"

"Snowy Night's my name," said Snow, blushing. Why did everyone make that mistake?

"Apologies," said the pegasus. He pulled out a pair of spectacles and perched them on his muzzle, peering at a clipboard. "Ah! Yes. Snowy Night. Right there. Sorry, my eyesight's just terrible - still a fair flyer, though."

"You must be, to have made it through this," said Snowy Night, drawing a laugh from the messenger. As if to punctuate her point, a gust of wind blew against the shack, causing the windows to rattle.

"Anyway, it comes from a Pinkie Pie. You know 'er?" Snow shook her head, and the messenger continued. "She says 'Hey Snow! I was looking around in the library, and found a book on everypony's family, and guess what - you're my cousin! Well, actually, you're my second cousin..." The messenger's brow furrowed as he tried to remember. "Second cousin twice removed on my grandmother's niece's... well, you get the picture," said the messenger, and Snow nodded. "Anyway, she lives down in Ponyville and says you used to live there and wants you to come down and visit. I was told to await a response."

"O-oh," said Snowy Night. On the one hoof, this was most fortuitous, as Snow had been intending to head south and seek out other ponies; however, she honestly had no idea who this Pinkie Pie might be, and the prospect of meeting family was daunting, as her mother had been the only relative she'd known; what would a cousin be like? Realizing that the pegasus had to go, Snow opened her mouth and said "Yes," surprising herself.

"Excellent," said the messenger. "I, ah, don't suppose I could wait out the storm here? It was rough enough flying here, in all truth..."

"It's fine," said Snow. "I wouldn't want you to catch your death of cold. Here - my blanket should be big enough to fit two."

"Thanks, Miss Snow," said the messenger, which tickled Snowy Night. Miss Snow. I rather like that, thought Snow to herself. It was an elegant name, and however tomboyish Snow liked to act, she had her feminine side, too.

The pegasus settled down onto the hay and Snow laid down next to him. It wasn't until the blanket was over them that Snow realized just how close she was to a pegasus... a boy pegasus, no less. She blushed again. "I-I didn't catch your name," said Snow, trying not to sound too awkward.

"Oh, my name? It's Thundercloud," said the messenger, laughing a little. "Storms seem to follow me around... sorry if I brought this one here on you."

"N-no problem," said Snow, managing a smile. The two engaged in some conversation until the storm grew too loud, at which point Snow tried to get to sleep. Thundercloud was asleep in three seconds; if storms truly did follow him around, Snowy Night thought, at least he'd have had plenty of opportunity to get used to them. Sighing, Snow laid her head down and tried to sleep, despite her pounding heart and the howling winds.

Snowy Night woke up the next morning ill-rested, but the storm appeared to have blown over. Thundercloud was already up. "Mornin'," he said as Snow stood up. "Figured I should show you the way to Ponyville, since I'll be heading back there anyway. Have you ever been there?"

"When I was little," said Snowy Night. "I don't remember all that much about it."

"Not to worry," said Thundercloud easily. Everything he does is easy, thought Snow before catching herself. "You'll love it. Nice and warm, for one, with plenty of good ponies." After a short breakfast, Snowy Night and Thundercloud left the little shack, with Snow having packed away what scant few belongings she wanted to take. As she walked through the snow, Snow cast one last glance back at the house where she had grown up. It had been hard, but there had been good memories; her mother teaching her to bake on a campfire, learning how to gallop... a tear trickled down Snowy Night's face before she could stop it. Wiping it away, Snow turned her attention to the path, and to the handsome pegasus above.

"What's this Pinkie Pie like?" asked Snow.

Thundercloud didn't answer right away, but just before Snow was about to ask again, he said "She's... really energetic. All the time. She works at Sugarcube Corner - that's Ponyville's bakery - and she throws a lot of parties."

"I... see."

"Don't worry - you'll like her. I don't think it's possible NOT to like Pinkie Pie." Something about his tone made Snow glance up sharply, but he was just flying along, as far as she could tell. Why did his face have to be hidden!

The two walked on in relative silence, until lunchtime - Snow had thought ahead, packing away many of the dried fruits and grains before leaving. She shared these with Thundercloud, who complimented her on her cooking. While they ate, Snow watched Thundercloud for some sign of what he'd said about Pinkie Pie before, anything - but no signs were forthcoming, and soon enough the two were back on the trail south.

At one point, some snow leopards came sniffing around, but Thundercloud scared them off by flaring his wings and kicking up snow. The two made fast tracks south after that, finding a hollow under a tree to sleep in for the night. Once again, Snow found herself sleeping close to Thundercloud, but it didn't feel quite as uncomfortable as last night. Soon Snow found herself falling asleep to the gentle rhythms of his breathing.

Three days later, Thundercloud and Snowy Night arrived at the entrance to Ponyville. "Thank you," said Snow. "I would never have known how to get here if it hadn't been for you, not to mention those snow leopards."

"No problem," said Thundercloud. "I really enjoyed the company. Sorry I can't stay - gotta report in and get my next job. See you around, eh?" With that, Thundercloud flew off, leaving a flummoxed Snow to be greeted at the gates.

The first time Snow saw Pinkie Pie, it was as a pink blur, running towards her; she ran off to the side before the blur could run her over. It stopped, and the blur solidified into a pink pony with a curly mane and three balloons as a cutie mark. "Hi there!" she said, and Snow winced involuntarily at the high pitch of Pinkie's voice. It brought back memories of when she'd lived here before. "You must be my cousin, is that right? Oh, we have such a party prepared for you! Come on!" Pinkie left rather quickly, leaving Snow to trail in her wake.

The library had been overtaken by what seemed to be every pony in Ponyville - Snow remembered little of the night itself; many different faces, and as many names with no way to connect the two; all sorts of baked goods made far too sweet; but mostly Snow remembered the sheer volume of ponies, on all sides, making such a large amount of noise Snow wondered how she hadn't heard them up north. Finally, Snow was taken to Sugarcube Corner, where she would be staying with Pinkie Pie during her visit (which translated to "until you find a place of your own"). Snow wanted nothing more than to sleep, but Pinkie kept her up late into the night, asking questions endlessly. Finally, Snow said, exasperated, "I need some sleep!" and heard something she hadn't heard since entering Ponyville: silence.

"Well why didn't you say so?!" said Pinkie, almost causing Snow to fall over in disbelief. Soon enough, Pinkie was asleep, with Snow lying next to her, staring at the ceiling. In less than a week Snowy Night's life had turned completely upside down. From hermit to socialite in one evening. All Snow could feel was relief that she was finally away from all those ponies. Turning, Snow looked at Pinkie, her cousin. Pinkie was loud and obnoxious, not to mention way to energetic; however, she had taken Snow to Sugarcube Corner when Snow had said she was getting tired, and had stopped talking when asked. Not sure quite what to make of her new relative, Snowy Night drifted off to sleep, cuddling her favourite pegasus plushie as she did.

Chapter 2 - Adjusting

HSNCTP Chapter 2
Snowy Night awoke to the hustle and bustle of a busy bakery. She got out of bed slowly, trying desperately to remember where she was. Oh, right - the bakery. Pinkie Pie's room.

As though summoned by the thought, Pinkie burst into the room with what appeared to be multicoloured swirls on a plate. Judging both from the smell and the fact that it was Pinkie carrying them, they would be overly sweet, dehydrating, and horribly addictive.

"Good morning!" said Pinkie Pie. "I heard you moving around up here, and I knew you'd be hungry after last night's party - you need to eat more, seriously - so I brought you these cupcakes!" Not wanting to disappoint, Snow grabbed a blue cupcake and gingerly took a bite. Immediately flavour hit all parts of Snow's tongue simultaneously, producing a single violent twitch. Pinkie apparently took this as enjoyment - which it probably was, at some level - and squealed with delight. She said something about having to get back to work and left the cupcakes with Snow, who was still recovering from the first taste. She left the cupcakes alone for the moment and went to check her things.

Snow's belongings were still intact, including - thankfully - the hay and dried fruit that had served as trail rations during Snow's journey south. While chewing on some hay, Snow noticed her stuffed pegasus under the corner of the bed. Relieved that she hadn't lost it, Snow went to grab it, but her teeth closed in on thin air.

Whirling, Snow saw her pegasus... in the hooves of a baby unicorn, who was chewing on it. Smiling nervously - Snow had no real experience with foals - she approached slowly, keeping a smile on her face as she did so. Pumpkin. The foal's name was Pumpkin.

"Hey, Pumpkin," said Snow soothingly. "I see you've found my little Pegasus..." Looking around, Snow spotted a worn stuffed bear on the floor. Gingerly closing her teeth around it, Snow held it out towards Pumpkin, hoping to attract the foal's attention and retrieve her pegasus.

At that moment, Pinkie burst in, saying "Are you ready to come do-" She stopped abruptly when she saw Snow, bear in mouth. Snow belatedly realized that, this being Pinkie's room, the bear was probably hers. Setting it down gingerly, Snow began to try to explain, but Pinkie cut her off.

"What are you doing with Mr. Pinkles? Why is Pumpkin in here? And why haven't you finished the cupcakes?" Snow tried to reply, but each time she tried, Pinkie cut her off. Snow wondered abstractly if it was tiring being Pinkie Pie.

Finally, Pinkie ran out of questions - or maybe just breath - and Snow began speaking before Pinkie could continue. "I was trying to get my pegasus back, I have no idea, the cupcakes were way too sweet, I have no idea how that balloon popped, and - to my knowledge - there is no spoon, so I really don't get that one." Pumpkin was watching serenely, chewing now on something rubbery. Probably the balloon. Snow scooped up her pegasus, put it in her bag, and said "Pinkie... thanks for the party, and for letting me stay here, but I..." Snow hesitated, seeing Pinkie's questioning face. She said "I really just want to go outside and see the rest of Ponyville. Is that all right?"

"Of course!" said Pinkie brightly. "In fact, I was planning on giving you a tour of Ponyville as soon as you finished your cupcakes! But..." Pinkie's smile faltered, "...you don't like the cupcakes?"

"Oh - of course I do!" said Snow. "I just... haven't had anything that sweet before. It'll just take me a while to get used to them." Forcing a smile, she put the rest of the cupcake that she had tried earlier in her mouth and chewed, mechanically. Swallowing, she smiled once again at Pinkie Pie.

"Hee hee! You're silly!" said Pinkie. Taking Snow by the hoof, she said "Come on! I've got so much to show you!"

The day passed much as the previous night had, minus the party afterwards (it had taken Snow three-and-a-half hours to explain that some ponies just weren't built for partying every night - Pinkie still didn't quite get it, but didn't press the issue any further) and Snow found herself on a hill overlooking Ponyville. Pencil in mouth, she began to put her thoughts into verse.

A few minutes later, however, a sudden rustling in the bushes behind Snow made her pause. Setting down her pencil slowly, Snow prepared to run with as few sudden moves as possible. She HAD spent most of her life evading snow leopards, after all.

A purple unicorn poked her head out and said, "Oh!" Immediately following her was a small scaled creature... a baby dragon? Snow had only seen pictures of adult ones in books.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Snow, standing. "I didn't realize this was your hill."

"It isn't," said the unicorn. "I just come here sometimes, when Pinkie's throwing too many parties. You're her cousin, right? We met at the party."

"We did?" said Snow, floundering. The unicorn laughed knowingly and sat down, gesturing for Snow to do the same.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle," said the unicorn. "Pinkie can be... a little overwhelming, can't she?"

"You aren't from here, are you?" said Snow.

"Very perceptive of you," said Twilight. "I come from Canterlot. Where do you come from?"

"Up north," I said. "Nowhere, really - there was a small village nearby, but nopony really came up there."

"Wow - really? I can't imagine so few ponies..." While Twilight sat deep in thought, Snow took advantage of the silence to write out a few more verses.

The baby dragon, however, seemed to have other plans, as he sat down on top of Snow's paper, saying "Hi, I'm Spike!" as he did so.

The rest of the evening passed quickly enough - Snow was just well-read enough to follow along with what Twilight was saying, and soon both ponies were at the library, pouring over books while the party raged on below. Seeing Snow nodding off, Twilight offered to let Snow stay the night in the library, an offer which Snow could scarce decline; even had she been awake enough to make it back to Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie's apartment was hectic at best, and it was entirely possible that the party had gone there. Closing her eyes, Snow scarcely noticed when Spike curled up next to her, but she did fall asleep with a smile.

Chapter 2.5 - On Snowy Night's First Coming To Ponyville

HSNCTP Chapter 2.5 - On Snowy Night's First Coming To Ponyville

The ponies here are very, very strange
They spend their time in parties, laughing gay
My cousin, Pinkie Pie, does seem deranged
Partying and laughing in such a way.

I guess it's better to laugh and have fun
Than grump about; in general be mean.
The ponies here are warm, just like the sun
Upon each other they do seem to lean.

The party was so hectic, running late
So many faces, spinning like a ball
In hindsight, partying was really great
A true good time was had by one and all.

Anf now I lay, a party pony pooped
Party (in my mind) running on a loop.

Chapter 3 - On Cutie Marks And Finding One's Purpose

I awoke rather late, only to find that Spike and Twilight had already left. [I have to start getting to sleep earlier,] I thought, dismayed at how late it was.

As I went downstairs, I thought for the first time about my future, and about staying in Ponyville. I do enjoy it here... but I need a job of some sort, first. My only "job" had been subsistance farming up north with mother. Perhaps farming down here would be better...? No, I had never enjoyed it.

Opening the door, I set out with no clear destination in mind. The ponies I passed greeted me, and I did my best to respond in kind, although it was still awkward to do so.

Without meaning to, I arrived at Sugarcube Corner. I was hungry, but with only forty bits left I didn't want to squander it meaninglessly; my mind therefore turned to finances, and finally to work.

"I need to find a job," I said aloud. I thought of my cutie mark - some sort of three-pointed leaf, or perhaps three leaves together - and also of the farm, such as it was, up north. Perhaps I SHOULD see about farming again...? Having no other real place to be, I entered the café.

The place was as busy as it would likely get. Seeing no sign of Pinkie Pie, I sat at a table near the window and waited. A plump pony - one of the two who ran the café - came to the table and said, "Can I get you anything, dear?"

"Oh - no, thanks," I said. "I'm just waiting for Pinkie Pie."

"Oh, right, I remember you," said Ms. Cake. "Pinkie's cousin, right?"

"Y-yes," I said. Was everypony going to keep calling me that?

"Well, any friend of Pinkie's is a friend of ours - and that goes for family, too." Ms. Cake set a cupcake down for me, waving down attempts at payment as she went to serve other customers. Uncomfortable, but grateful, I ate the cupcake.

Pinkie came by a couple of minutes later. "Hey!" she said. "Sorry I took so long - Spike was showing me this really cool thing he found, and you know-"

"Pinkie," I said quietly, and for a wonder Pinkie stopped talking. Continuing, I said "I was wondering where I might find work in Ponyville."

"Well, what did you do before?" asked Pinkie.

"Farmed," said I. "But I don't enjoy farming."

"I totally understand!" Pinkie said, launching into some story about farming rocks, of all things. I just smiled and listened to her go on - I can't quite describe why, but I feel as though the world would be missing something quite significant without Pinkie's… energy.

"Then it's settled!" said Pinkie. I came to with a start - I hadn't quite been dozing, but neither had I been paying much attention to my surroundings, instead allowing my mind to wander.

" Wha-!" I began, but was cut off as Pinkie took me by the hoof and ran out of Sugarcube Corner. Left, right, forward, right, left - I soon lost my tenuous grasp on our location as we went through Ponyville at breakneck speed.

"Here we are!" said Pinkie Pie, stopping quite suddenly and causing me to run headlong into a tree. Catching my breath, I took a moment to see where she had taken me.

An expanse of trees spread out before me. Pinkie told me it was the Everfree Forest.

"Very few ponies ever go in there," she continued. "A really nice zebra named Zecora lives there. She'll be able to help you find what you want to do!"

"Oh... kay," I said slowly. I'd half-hoped Pinkie could have found an actual job for me, but if this Zecora was any good, I might be in luck after all. "Thank you, Pinkie."

"Oh, you're welcome!" I flinched a little as she hugged me. It hit me for the first time that we were family, and I hugged back. Tears welled up as I thought briefly of my mother. As much as I enjoyed solitude, I needed this. I needed family. "Thank you," I whispered.

"You already said that, silly!" said Pinkie as we disengaged. "There's a pretty clear path through to Zecora's - just watch out for the poison joke. It's blue. Bye!" she said, running off.

"Wait-" I began, but she was already gone. Boy, did she ever run fast! Turning, I entered the Everfree Forest.

Three hours later, I came across the poison joke bush for at least the dozenth time. I sat down, lost and exhausted. I tried not to panic as I caught my breath. Creepy as it was, it was still just a forest.

A branch snapping caused me to turn my head rather quickly, creating a twinge in my neck. Wincing, I saw what appeared to be a pony, dressed in dark robes. Memories of tales told about the Nightmare Moon debacle flashed through my mind as I lay there, quivering. "Who are you?" I managed rather weakly.

The pony pulled back her hood, but instead of some horror that drove anypony insane who looked upon it (dear sweet Celestia, my imagination sometimes!) it was a zebra. "Zecora is what they call me," she said. "Lost, are we?"

After a moment's deciphering of what she had said, I nodded. "I was told to find you. Pinkie Pie said you could help me?" I grew quieter with each word. Zecora was somewhat intimidating - nice, just unusual.

"That depends on what you seek," she said, circling around to my right. "Answers lie where we haven't yet peeked."

"Well..." I trailed off, feeling somewhat foolish. Pinkie may have brought me here, but had I really thought hard enough about what I could do around Ponyville?

"Come," said Zecora. "This forest houses many things. All these does the sundown bring."

"A-all right," I said, standing and looking behind myself at the darkening forest. I hadn't noticed, but it was getting rather late. I hurried to follow Zecora.

We arrived at her home as the last rays of sunlight left the trees. The relief I felt as Zecora shut the door behind me was palpable. "Thank you," I said, noting how much I had said thanks today.

"Happy to help a pony in need," said Zecora, trotting over to a steaming pot. The hut looked like the workshop of an alchemist from one of my stories. "Come over here - and bring me that seed." She pointed at a bag with thei image of a strange-looking seed on it. Grabbing it between my teeth, I trotted over to the cauldron, handing over the bag of seeds.

Pouring the bag into the pot, Zecora passed me a long ladle, telling me to stir. As I did, she went back and forth, grabbing various plants as she did. "Are you an herbalist?" I asked around the ladle.

"Herbs and plants are what I do," said Zecora, expertly pouring some grain into the pot. "As did my mother - and her mother, too."

"Must be nice, knowing how to do something so well."

"I never had the choice you face. I would not change what I do, in any case." It was nice, listening to Zecora talk - the rhymes made it sound like a song.

Finally Zecora told me to stop stirring. The liquid in the pot - more of a cauldron than anything else - shimmered a golden brown and smelled divine. "What is it?" I asked.

"Dinner," she said, passing me a bowl. Blinking - that had NOT been the answer I was expecting - I watched as she dipped hers in the soup. I followed suit before following her to the dinner table.

We ate through several moments of companionable silence before Zecora said "Now... what is this problem before you, that Pinkie Pie thinks I can help you through?"

I ate another mouthful of soup before saying "Pinkie's my cousin. She 'found' me about a week ago and sent me a letter inviting me to come to Ponyville. I was all alone up north - I think I want to stay in Ponyville, but I'd need work to do that. And I don't know what I should do."

"May I see your Harmony Mark? It would help me see your path through the dark."

"Oh - you mean my cutie mark? Here," I said, tugging on my cloak. It was a little warm here to wear it, but old habits die hard.

"Hmm," she said, and I blushed, feeling momentarily exposed. This feeling passed and I continued to eat as Zecora trotted away, returning with some charcoal from the cooking-fire and a piece of dried tree bark. A short time later she straightened, bringing the bark up onto the table. I shook my rear half, replacing my cloak, and leaned over to see what Zecora had drawn.

I had only ever seen my cutie mark at an angle, or in the water, so seeing it here was a new experience. It WAS three leaves, long and slender with small leaves coming off the main stem.

"Those look like ferns," I said, and Zecora nodded. Well - one mystery solved, at least.

"What was the work you did before coming here to visit?" asked Zecora.

"We had a small farm, way up north," I said. "Just growing the food we needed, and bartering our surplus."

"Hmm..." said Zecora. "You work well with the natural world... perhaps in the forest your wings could unfurl?"

I laughed at the imagery - me, with wings! - but still thought about it. I had never been in a forest before today, and had managed to get pretty lost; still, with a little training...

"I think I would like that," I said.

"Good," said Zecora. "We should go to sleep - tomorrow's light has started to creep." And indeed, the first tendrils of light were visible on the horizon.

Zecora offered me her bed, but I declined, choosing instead to borrow some hay and sleep in the corner. As I said before, old habits die hard.

Chapter 4 - Meeting The Mane 6

HSNCTP Chapter 4 - Meeting the Mane Six

I awoke - once again - to the sun high in the sky. Sighing, I turned over... only to see an empty hut. It made sense - Zecora couldn't be expected to drop everything just because I was here - but all the same I felt a tightness in my throat. Sighing once more, I headed outside, reasoning that so long as it was daylight - and so long as I stayed within eyeshot of Zecora's house - I would be safe.

It was a beautiful day outside, with bright sunlight streaming in through the trees and many birds joining in song. I went inside momentarily and returned with cloak and boots safely packed away - it WAS rather warm out, after all, and it being spring it was only going to get hotter. I shook off the momentary sense of vulnerability and went to find somewhere to sit and write.

Zecora, as it turns out, was just beyond the clearing, gathering various plants. She waved and I trotted over. "What are you picking?" I asked, curious.

"Spices and herbs, like those used last night - come, and I'll show you, these plants don't bite." As she spoke, Zecora deftly plucked a short plant and tossed it in her pack.

Laughing a little, I trotted over to Zecora and we spent the better part of the afternoon picking plants. I learned about a ridiculous variety of plants and their uses - which ones were edible, which ones were poisonous, which ones had which effects, which ones made the best spices, which ones could be used for medicinal purposes... fortunately for me, Zecora had a copy of "Supernaturals" - why didn't I pack my copy? - that I could keep, as it was a spare. After a hearty lunch, Zecora walked me to the edge of the forest, where I bade her farewell.

"Farewell, Cold One, wherever you roam," she called out. "Always shall you be welcome in my home."

I set off back down the road to Ponyville, reinvigorated. Sure, the Everfree Forest had been terrifying. I hadn't found my calling yet - I had told Zecora that I wished to examine other possible avenues of work, but in truth the Everfree Forest scared me quite a bit, and I didn't really want to be in there long-term.

I met Pinkie down the street, where she appeared to be involved in some sort of disagreement between two Pegasi, one yellow with a pink mane and another light blue with a rainbow-coloured mane. After recovering from my initial burst of glee at seeing them (Pegasi are the BEST...) I trotted over.

"...Well, maybe if you just tried - just a little - to slow down.." said the yellow one... was her name Butterfly? I couldn't recall...

"Slow down? Slow down?! I'm Rainbow Dash! 'Slow down' just isn't in my vocabulary."

"Ooh! Ooh! Is 'sasparilla'? Or 'habanero'? How about 'donair'?" said Pinkie, bouncing around. Stoppong, she said "Aww... now I'm hungry..."

I laughed, causing three heads to turn in my direction. Immediately I felt my face heating up and I turned away, finding great interest in a flower next to me.

Pinkie came running up on the same instant, yelling "Snow! Snow!" as she did. I was tackled to the ground from the force of it. Dimly, a voice from above - I think it was Rainbow's - said "Geez, and I thought I was fast..."

Pinkie finally disengaged. Gasping for air, I could just make out the sound of the two pegasi laughing. I just sort of lay there, scarlet-faced, until Pinkie finally said "Hey - you all right?"

I nodded and stood up... only to fall back down like a newborn filly. My rear left hoof - which had never quite healed after the Cauliflower Incident - had decided to begin acting up.

To make matters worse, both Rainbow Dash and the yellow one - Fluttershy! Her name was Fluttershy - stopped laughing and grew concerned.

"I'm fine, really," I said, waving away attempts from Rainbow to help me up.

"Holy - she can talk!" shouted Rainbow. "All during the party, not one word! Applejack had me convinced you were some kinda mute pony!"

Something - maybe it was the tension of the past few days, maybe Pinkie's tackle had caused it - gave way inside of me, and I began laughing. Not just the amused titter from before, but a full-on laugh. Pinkie started laughing, too, and before long Rainbow and Fluttershy had joined in. There we were, four full-grown ponies in the middle of Ponyville, laughing like the loons we most probably were. Ponies on their way by stopped and stared momentarily before rushing off again.

Finally, finally, we recovered, standing up and giving way to the odd chuckle here and there. "You're a very odd pony, you know that?" said Rainbow, setting us laughing once more.

"One tries one's best," I managed, quoting from Derving Eddy's The Celestiad and even managing the mock bow that the character used as accompaniment. That got a good chuckle.

The loudest laughter came from behind, where I found Twilight and two other ponies had stopped on their way past. "I didn't know you read Derving Eddy," she said, and I grinned as Rainbow groaned.

"Oh, great, another egg-head," she said.

"An egg-head farmer? Ooh, that would be perfect! You wouldn't need chickens - well, you would, to get a new head after -"

"You're a farmer?" said one of the two ponies accompanying Twilight Sparkle. To my knowledge, she hadn't been at the party - or perhaps we just weren't introduced. "Funny - you don't look the type. What was your name again?" The ponies' attention was on me now. I had a sense that my life in Ponyville would only truly begin now, if I chose it.

I thought, momentarily, of home, of life subsistence farming on tje cold, hard tundra. I also remembered some advice my mother had given me as she lay dying: "No pony, however wealthy or beautiful or talented, is ever truly complete until they share their successes - and failures - with their friends."

The orange pony who had asked the question stood next to Twilight and a white unicorn from the party. On my other side stood Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, with Rainbow overhead. I didn't know these ponies - with the exception of Pinkie Pie - but I liked them. And I liked Ponyville. I might not have found a job yet, or a home to call my own, but for the first time, I had found ponies I honestly wanted to befriend.

Smiling, I said "My name is Snowy Night."

Chapter 5 - On Relationships, And Related Complications

"Dear, get these six apple fritters to Table 6, please!"

"Yes, Ms. Ca-"

"And take that triple-order of chocolate bran cupcakes out to Mr. Whooves, if you please!" The bakery was sheer chaos. Snowy Night, her funds running low, had approached Mr. and Ms. Cake about work, both to make some money and repay their hospitality; waving down the offer of payment for room and board, Ms. Cake had immediately hired her to fill in for Pinkie whenever she was needed elsewhere (or simply ran of somewhere mid-shift, as often happened). The extra hire had freed up enough time for Mr. Cake that Snow now had a real position; despite Ms. Cake's protests against any sort of payment, Snow had been discreetly leaving portions of her pay in the register at closing.

The first time that Ms. Cake had confronted Snow about it, Snow had been in a truly excellent mood, which had resulted in a pseudo-philosophical speech on how Celestia and the universe were repaying the Cakes' generosity. Ms. Cake had trotted away baffled and hadn't brought it up since, but she seemed to act friendlier towards Snow.

Off work, Snow tried to find other work, with the help of her newfound friends. Fluttershy's animal hospital and Applejack's farm were the first in a long line of attempted tasks, including construction, the library, and a disastrous attempt at cooking.

"Ah still can't believe yuh blew up an apple pie," said Applejack, walking alongside Snow through Ponyville. She and each of the mane six were taking turns in helping Snow find her talent, with Pinkie taking two turns since they were related.

"And I thought *I* was bad at cooking!" said Rainbow Dash, laughing as she flew overhead.

Applejack squinted up at the sky, frowning and squinting up at Rainbow. "Don't you have some clouds tuh move or somethin'? It IS my turn with Snow, y'know."

"Aw, I've got all morning for *that*," said Rainbow. "You're squinting - sun in your eyes, or is it just my AWESOMENESS?!" yelled Rainbow, flaring out her wings.

Applejack rolled her eyes at Rainbow. Snow just laughed - the pegasus was so over-the-top. Snow had wondered multiple times in her diary as to whether or not the two were a couple; behind the bickering, Snow thought she saw some *awesome* chemistry waiting to come to the fore.

The trio were further interrupted by the arrival of Twilight Sparkle. "Oh, hey, guys!" she said. "Umm... bit of an odd place to look for work for Snow, isn't it?"

"Exactly what AH was about t' say," said Applejack, smiling smugly up at Rainbow. Rainbow just stuck out her tongue, drawing another laugh from Snow.

Twilight turned her attention to Snow and said "Still haven't found your talent?"
Snow just shook her head, trying to tune out Applejack and Rainbow Dash who sounded about ready to have quite the row. "No, but we've figured out that - watch out there, Applejack - I can't cook, build, manage books - Applejack, I said *watch out* - deliver goods, dance, sing - hey!" Applejack, who had been steadily backing into Snow as Rainbow continued to antagonize her, finally toppled Snow over, sending the two ponies tumbling head over hoof to the tune of Rainbow's laughter.

The two landed at the bottom of a miraculously short hill, Applejack extricating herself rather hurriedly from the exchange and running down the road to her farm, as red as the apples she harvested.

"Are you okay? Where's Applejack headed off to in such a hurry?" asked Twilight, trotting down the incline. Snow, rather winded from the exchange, didn't answer right away, focussed as she was on standing up.

Rainbow was still at the top of the incline, but in a flash she streaked off after Applejack, despite Twilight yelling "Hey! Leave her alone!" Snow and Twilight watched as the two ponies headed away.

"What was THAT all about?" asked Twilight. Snow just shrugged. What *had* caused Applejack to run off like that?

A mystified expression overtook Twilight's face, followed by dawning comprehension. "You don't think..."

"What?" said Snow.

"Could Applejack and Rainbow... y'know..." Snow DID know, but that was just writing in her diary. Nothing of any true importance or significance.

"It's possible," said Snow reluctantly, cringing at how Twilight's face lit up. "Don't say anything until you know for sure. All right?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure," said Twilight distractedly, still staring down the road after the two mares.

She was surprised, therefore, when Snow stepped directly into her field of view. "PROMISE me," said Snow.

"All right, all right, I promise!" Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief when Snow stepped back. Friends they may be, but Snow could get very... intense, at times. "I guess that's it for today's talent search, huh?"

"Looks like..." said Snow, glancing down after Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were visible only as specks on the horizon. "Maybe we could search the library again, see what I haven't tried yet...?"

"Sure!" said Twilight excitedly, rushing off towards the library at all speed with Snowy Night in tow, who just grinned. If anything could get Twilight's attention off of something, it was books.

The library was nice and quiet, as usual except for when Pinkie was throwing another party. Snow and Twilight spent the afternoon poring over books, Snow not really paying attention to what she was reading except to flip the page every now and then.

"Hey, I think I have something," said Twilight, causing Snow to look up from her book on *Applied Taxidermy*. "Remember when you tried working with Fluttershy with the animals?"

"Sure," said Snow. "It was great, until we got that wounded rabbit in." Snow shuddered. "That still gives me nightmares."

"Yeah, but you were still *good* at it," said Twilight. "And working with Zecora went well too, right?"

"I don't really want to live out alone in the wilderness again, though," said Snow. "That's what brought me to Ponyville in the first place."

"You're missing the point," said Twilight, rolling her eyes. Snow frowned. "What I mean is - hold on..." Twilight stuck her nose back in her book before continuing. "It says here 'What is a Cutie Mark, or Destiny Mark, other than an expression of a pony's talents, or that at which they are good?' You worked well in two outdoor jobs."

"So... what, look at parts of jobs that I *was* good at? This should be quick..."

"Wha... what are you two doing?" said Spike, coming downstairs fresh from an afternoon nap. He stretched as another yawn hit him.

"Spike! Perfect timing," said Twilight, drawing a groan from the baby dragon. "I need you to write something down for me."

"Again?" said Spike. "But you sent that letter to Celestia yesterday!"

"This is different," said Twilight, glancing at Snow for a brief moment before saying, "We need a list of Snow's strengths so we can help her find a job."

Spike walked the rest of the way downstairs, grumbling all the while. Snow had to suppress a giggle as Spike pulled out a scroll and a quill pen, sitting down next to the fireplace rather moodily.

"Okay. So far we know you work well outside... what else?" said Twilight. Spike began to write as Twilight spoke, yawning once more.

Snow forced her attention towards Twilight and said, "working at Sugarcube Corner has gone all right... I don't like it very much, and I don't know that I'm *good* at it, but I haven't been fired, yet."

"Okay... so what do you *like* about it? Anything?"

"Hmm... I like the various tasks I have to get done, all in the right order, with prioritizing being a factor as well."

"Sounds like a good strength for anypony to have. Okay, what else?"

"Well... there has to be some variety, too. Otherwise it'll be too boring."

"Good. What else?"

"Hmm..."Snow thought for a minute before saying, rather quietly, "I like writing..."

"I didn't catch that. What did she say?"

Twilight didn't answer Spike - she was too busy looking at Snow, jaw agape. When she finally found her voice, she said "Well why didn't you say that in the first place?!"

"I-" Snow began, but Twilight wasn't to be stopped so soon.

"All this time spent planning who could help you when, and who in Ponyville would take you, and who could teach you what..."

"TwilightI'mreallysorryIjust-"

"Five weeks!" said Twilight. "Five weeks I spent helping you! Do you know how much time it's taken? I'm behind on everything! Dear sweet Celestia, I - I - I have to go figure out SOMETHING about Friendship from this whole mess..."

Snowy Night was not a particularly reckless or daring pony. Every pony she'd met prior to coming to Ponyville had called her "too careful"or something similar. But when Snow got upset or agitated, one of two things happened: she either ran off crying, or - often when there was no way out of her current situation, for social or physical reasons - an often-dormant impulsive side would rise to the fore, clouding Snow's better judgement and often her memory.

So it was that a very confused Snow came to, lips locked with Twilights, whose eyes were wide open in blank shock. Snow squeezed her eyes shut, unsure as to why Twilight would kiss her.

Twilight slowly pulled her head back from the kiss... only to move right back in. Snow dimly remembered stepping forward to kiss Twilight in the first place, but these thoughts were soon swept away in a simple, elemental ecstacy.

Chapter 6 - Confrontations and Confounded Expectations

Applejack and Rainbow Dash both hung their heads as Fluttershy marched them towards the library. "You two aught to be *ashamed* of yourselves," said Fluttershy. "Tackling Snowy to the ground like that. You're going to apologize and mean it, too."

"Boy, Snow and the egghead must really be getting into those books," said Rainbow.

"Yeah," said Applejack. "Wonder if Snow's found her talent yet ."

"They must have, by now!" said Rainbow. "They've been in there since *yesterday*!"

"Well - what do you think, Fluttershy?" Aplejack turned to see Fluttershy hovering several feet behind them, her face crimson.

"What do you know, Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow, grinning.

When Fluttershy didn't respond, Applejack said "C'mon, Flutter. Jus' like we talked about - take a deep breath and then just say it."

Fluttershy took a deep, slow breath. Both Rainbow and Applejack leaned forward, intent.

Both ponies quickly fell back, however, as Fluttershy yelled "I THINK TWILIGHT AND SNOWY MARED LAST NIGHT!"

Both Rainbow and Apple had fallen back from Fluttershy's volume, but now Applejack stood up. "You're foolin'."

"Hold on... what do you mean, they 'mared'?" asked Rainbow, still flat on her back.

Applejack turned to face Rainbow. "It's... well, cloppin', only... well, with two mares doin' it."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. "So THAT'S what it's called!" Further discussion was impeded, however, by commotion further in town.

Applejack shook her head. "Flutter, we gotta work on that volume problem o' yours."

Rainbow had already rushed towards the library. By the time Fluttershy and Applejack arrived, she was standing outside waiting, uncharacteristically.

"What're y'all waitin' for? Let's go in already!" said Applejack.

"What? No way! I'm... uh... waaaaay too cool to be seen entering the library ALONE. You go first."

"Nuh-uh, sugarcube. Ah ain't fallin' for it. We'll be right behind you. Go on."

Rainbow was about to argue further when Fluttershy pushed past her, muttering something about silly ponies. She opened the twin doors and entered the library, with the other two close behind.

The library was a mess. Books were scattered everywhere, with Spike sleeping atop one pile, snoring. Fluttershy nudged him gently with one hoof, waking him.

"Where's Twilight? And Snow?" asked Rainbow.

"How should I know?" said Spike. "Wait... they're upstairs." Spike shuddered. "Twilight said something about 'research' and chased me out. It looked like she was *eating* Snowy Night's face." Rainbow and Applejack exchanged glances while Fluttershy's face reddened. The three started to walk upstairs, but Spike moved between them and the stairs. "Twilight said she didn't want to be disturbed."

"But we need to talk to them! Her! Whichever!" said Rainbow, but Applejack stepped forward, forestalling further argument.

"That's all right, Spike," said Applejack, looking at Rainbow as she did so. "We'll just wait down here until they come back downstairs."

It wasn't long before the sounds of hoofsteps could be heard upstairs. Rainbow put down a Daring Do book and looked intently at the stairs. Twilight emerged soon enough at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh - hello, everyone," she said, staring around at the three ponies. "What're you doing here?"

Both Rainbow and Applejack seemed lost for words. Fluttershy said "These two are here to apologize to you and Snow for their awful, foalish behaviour yesterday." She then rounded on Rainbow and Applejack and said, "AREN'T you?" The two ponies nodded sheepishly. "Since Snow didn't return home last night, we thought she might have stayed over."

Twilight took a moment to answer. "Yes, she's upstairs, uhh...putting the books from...our all-nighter away." Applejack's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Snow came downstairs and blinked at the four ponies' sudden appearance before her. "Oh! Uh... hey, guys."

"Did-" began Rainbow, but Applejack put a hoof over her mouth and smiled guiltily at the other assembled ponies.

"We just wanted t' apologize for how we acted yesterday. *Don't we, Rainbow?*" added Applejack. Rainbow could only nod, as her mouth was still full of hoof.

"Well, um, apology accepted, then," said Snow.

"Well, glad that's settled," said Applejack. "Won't happen again, promise. Be seein' ya." With that, she dragged a silently protesting Rainbow out of the library, closing the door behind them. With a squeak, Fluttershy got up and ran out after them.

In the silence that followed, Spike said "Wow. I never thought I'd see Rainbow NOT want to leave the library!"

"Spike, could you go upstairs and gather up the books we used?" asked Twilight.

"But you just said that Snowy -"

"I stacked them, but they'll still need to be put away," said Snow. Spike, grumbling, stalked upstairs.

"Oh, dear," said Snow calmly. "It seems they know."

"Or they think they do," said Twilight, shaking her head. "Sorry again about last night, I -"

"No, no," said Snow. "I acted on impulse in the first place. No hard feelings."

"This may seem like a strange question, but... ARE you into mares?"

Snow looked out the window for a moment before answering. "I believe so," said Snow. "I've never given it much conscious thought."

"Still, at least we found you a Talent," said Twilight.

Snow grinned wryly. "A Talent still needs nurturing before its potential can be realized. She looked again at her Cutie Mark - not three leaves, as previously thought, but three feather quills. Writing implements. "I need to get going - Sugarcube Corner awaits."

"See you," said Twilight, and Snow made her way to the door. Before she could leave, however, Twilight spoke up, saying "It's almost a shame we DIDN'T end up... well, you know. Would have been an educational experience - for both of us." Snow just nodded as she exited the library.

Chapter 7 - On Parties And Dwellings

How Snowy Night Came To Ponyville Chapter 7 - Of Parties and Dwellings (Release by: Nov. 21, 2012)

Full Circle's hooves seemed to fall into the same steps taken a thousand times before by a thousand different ponies. It felt good to come home even if only to

"No, no, no," muttered Snow to herself, crossing out a word before writing it out again. Having fallen off of writing prose, Snow was having a hard time writing without the structure that rhyme and meter provided. "Come on, girl. It's just like free verse, only... longer." Snow's corner of Pinkie's room seemed to be shrinking by the day due to the sheer volume of paper, both written on and blank. Snow shook her head as she surveyed the mess. No way around it - she was going to have to get her own place.

Snow silently thanked Celestia that she had not quit her day job - for the short time that her mother had indulged her writing talents, Snow had written exactly one page. It was far easier to write, Snow realized, without the burden of expectation that came with writing full-time.

Which was probably why Snow was having such a hard time right now. Ms. Cake, upon hearing of Snow's newfound Talent, had insisted that two hours be set aside every evening - with significantly lowered volume from downstairs - for writing. Snow doodled idly, thinking irritably - though not ungraciously - that more writing would get done on a sunny day outside in Ponyville than in this room, at this time.

Snow thought, not for the first time, that she should buy her own place.

A knock on the door brought a relieved sigh to Snow's lips. She glanced down at her page, seeing a couple of bits worth keeping after all, and opened the door.

"Finally!" said Pinkie. "You were in there FOR EVER. You must have at least twenty stories! Or sixty. Or a hundred!"

"It's good to see you too, Pinkie," said Snow. Looking out the window, Snow saw it hadn't been long at all since she'd started writing.

"Come on! I'm... uh... I mean... Twilight..."

"What about Twilight, Pinkie?"

"She... needs you at the library! To help her! With books!"

"Books, huh?"

Pinkie nodded vigourously, mane bouncing up and down as she did so. "Yuh-huh! Now come on!" Snow laughed as Pinkie half-led, half-dragged her out of the room.

"Goodbye, Mr. Cake," said Snow helplessly as she went through the door. Mr. Cake just smiled knowingly and waved them out, along with the two other ponies currently in the store.

Snow barely kept up as Pinkie set a breakneck pace, all while walking. "Why... are we..." Pinkie just smiled and sped up a little before Snow could gasp out her question. Shaking her head, Snow slowed down - she knew her way around Ponyville well enough to get to the library, after all. There would be plenty of time to get there.

Snow wasn't exactly surprised when all of the ponies burst out in the library, but she was pleased, nonetheless. The party was just getting into full swing when somepony asked Snow, "So, what are you working on right now?"

"Oh! Uh... you know, a little project, just to... get my skills back up to speed."

"What's it about?"

"It's really silly," said Snow, inventing furiously. "There's a daffodil that decides to go on an adventure..."

"Sounds pretty silly," said the other pony. "Well, be sure and let me know if you release it!"

"I - I will," said Snow, releasing her breath as the pony walked away. At that moment, however, Pinkie's head stuck out of the applesauce and said, "ooh! I bet he asked you out! Did he? Did he? Huh? Huh? Did he?"

"Pinkie!" said Snow, laughing. "He didn't ask me out. He asked me - how did you get in there?"

"Get in where?" asked Pinkie, coming out from between two layers of cake.

Snow looked at the applesauce, then the cake, then back to the applesauce. Snow looked about to say something, but then she paused, shook her head and trotted away.

"Silly Snowy," said Pinkie, diving back inside the cake... or so it seemed.

The party was fun, but Snow was keen to get away from the questions about when the book would be completed. Snow made her way alone to the center of town, sitting down in the middle of the park; she pulled out a candle, lit it, and began to write. She wrote three and a half pages, blew out the candle, and trotted back toward Sugarcube Corner, thinking about her present situation.

Ponyville wasn't a very large place, but it had been around for a very long time. Enough ponies had wanted to move there at one point that Celestia had made a Royal Edict that Ponyville stay a certain size - if it grew over time, it grew, but Celestia seemed to think it important that small places like Ponyville existed right alongside places like Canterlot and Cloudsdale.

So it was that few new houses were built - current ones were redone, renovated, and added-on-to by new residents. At the moment, there were only two places available - one small apartment and a cottage. The apartment was too small for Snow, and the cottage was really too large, and cost quite a lot to boot. Snow knew that the answer was in sight, but it eluded her all the same.

Snow entered Sugarcube Corner and went straight to her room, keeping as quiet as possible - it really was quite late. Pinkie was still at the party - and likely would be all night, showing up tomorrow morning for work - so Snow tried to get some writing done. Despite feeling somewhat claustrophobic in her small corner of the room, Snow managed to get a page done on her latest story before giving up, As she drifted off to sleep, Snow wondered if one's talent was supposed to be this... difficult to use.

"I'm making up for lost time," said Snow to herself, softly. "It's going to take a while to really, truly get writing." Allowing herself to be convinced, Snow drifted off to sleep, mind going through various possibilities for the storyline.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" said Pinkie. Snow instinctively jumped out of bed and backed away, startled, but recovered quickly, laughing as she got out of bed and headed downstairs.

During the day, Snow was surprised by Zecora's arrival, in the middle of four different orders as she was. "Zecora!" said Snow, dropping a plate off at Bon Bon's table. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I had to stop in town and buy some herbs, to help a bird to fly," said Zecora. Snow smiled as she heard Zecora's seemingly effortless rhymes again.

Snow set down another dish, picking up one to replace it and said, "I thought Fluttershy usually took care of injured animals."

"True, but the bird needs attention and rest enough to recover and be its best. Have you discovered that which is your greatest test?"

"Wha...? Oh, my talent. Apparently - I'm supposed to be good at writing." Snow blinked and swiftly delivered two meals, picking up three meals and glancing around to find where they were to go.

"Storytelling is an honoured craft. But why do you work instead of draft?"

"Well, I can't write very well when I sit down and try to do it. The only way I seem to really be able to write is when an idea strikes - then I sit down and begin to write. Besides, I need some way to pay for my place here."

"You could always come into Everfree, and do your writing safe with me."

"Thanks," said Snow, panting as she tried to get all the orders out - Zecora had come at a particularly busy time of day. "But I don't think I want to live that far away from other ponies again. It gets pretty lonely."

"Well I know of loneliness," said Zecora, moving in and helping with a couple of dishes. "It pulls at anypony's heart. So why not live at forest's edge, away from Ponyville - yet not apart?"

Snow blinked. "Do you know of a place like that?"

"Long has stood a lonely shack along the forest's end. I use it sometimes when I come to town, as today for that bird to mend."

"Oh, right - the bird! You need to go," said Snow, as she and Zecora moved around one another to deliver the plates. Just then Pinkie walked in, and Snow breathed a sigh of relief. "Go take care of that bird. We can meet later - when are you heading back into the forest?"

"Since I am in town, I thought I could buy some things not found in the wood." Zecora stepped back as Pinkie stepped in and delivered all of the backlogged orders to general applause. "I'll meet you in the park when work is done and it is dark?"

"Sure," said Snow. "I've got to go in back, now - they'll want me to do some baking." Zecora smiled and quietly stepped out as Snow moved in back, mopping sweat from her brow as she did.

Chapter 8 - On Muses And Meanderings

HSNCTP Chapter 8 - Of Muses And Meanderings

Snow grinned as she looked over the sheaf of paper. Done. The story was complete. Granted, it wasn't Snow's best work, but hopefully it would be good enough to impress Twilight's publisher friend.

As Snow made her way to the Ponyville library, she saw a pegasus overhead. She smiled and stopped to watch. Granted, the flying wouldn't win whoever it was any prizes, but there was a simple practicality about it that (Snow felt) showponies like Rainbow Dash or the Wonderbolts could never hope to replicate.

To Snow's surprise, it was the same messenger pegasus as before. "Delivery for... Snowy Night?"

"Yes, that's me," said Snow, watching for any sign that he recognized her. None was forthcoming, however, but as Snow watched him fly away, she realized it didn't matter. She had other friends now, ponies she loved and trusted.

The package was from Frosty Lake, the town where Snow had gone at least once a year to trade what little grew at her little farm. It'd be overgrown by now, unless someone else had taken it over. The package was full of a type of brittle cookie that kept for long periods pf time. Snow closed the package back up and smiled as she anticipated sharing these with her friends, particularly Pinkie Pie.

Snow knocked on Twilight's door and entered inside - Twilight was chatting animatedly with a unicorn whose cutie mark appeared to be a pile of books. Snow trotted inside and sat down, drawing the unicorn's attention.

"Ah, yes," she said. "You are the pony of whom Twilight spoke?"

"Yes," said Snow, grabbing her story and giving it to the pony. "Here's my story."

"Excellent," said the pony, using her magic to levitate the pages. She flipped through them rather quickly, causing Snow to wonder whether she was actually reading or not. When she was done, she said "do you intend for these two to be published together?"

"These two?" Snow opened the makeshift book up. The first two-thirds were taken up by the story she'd given her - the one of how she'd arrived and settled in Ponyville - but the last third was a rather private "bedroom story" Snow had written more to keep writing than anything else when the muse wouldn't come.

When Snow didn't respond immediately, the unicorn - Livre Beau was her name, Snow recalled - said "I must say the second story almost surpasses the first, in narrative if not in scope."

"R... really? Do you think people would read it?

"I know they would," said Livre Beau, almost dismissively. "I mean, we might not sell any in Ponyville, but places like Canterlot and Manehatten would be perfect."

Just the names of these places sounded like fairy tales to Snow's ears, let alone that people there might read her stories. "I didn't mean for th... for them to be published together," said Snow.

Livre Bon nodded, shutting Snow's pages, duplicating it almost effortlessly onto two ready-made blank book and speaking all the while in professional clipped tones about commissions and book signings. Snow barely heard anything. She was too happy that someone actually liked her story, that it would be read by ponies in ridiculously far-off places. That led Snow to ask...

"Hey - could you see to it that the first, longer story is published in Frosty Lake, up north?"

Snow returned home jubilant. The one-time abandoned shack was looking great, and soon enough Snow might be able to furbish it and make it a true home. Along the way, Snow stopped in Sugarcube Corner.

"Well, if it isn't our resident author!" said Ms. Cake. "Written anything good?" Snow shared the news about Twilight's friend wanting to publish the book, along with one of the cookies. "That's wonderful, dear," she said between mouthfuls. "Mm... not a bad cookie. May I see the recipe?"

"Maybe later," said Snow, trying to remember the recipe. "There's other ponies I want to tell -"

"Oh! Of course," said Ms. Cake. Snow bought a blueberry muffin and left.

It didn't take Snow very long to tell the few ponies she knew about the good news - mostly because Pinkie was third and she insisted on an immediate party - and as Snow laughed with the other ponies, she chanced a glance out at the night sky and thought of her mother, wondering if she'd be happy with what Snow was doing. Then Pinkie started a conga line and Snow found herself caught up in the festivities.

A/N: Sorry if the ending seems a bit abrupt. I hope you enjoyed the story; I know it wasn't the best, and certainly it wandered into Mary Sue territory more than once, but I feel I got my feet wet with this - it got me writing again for the first time in a good while, and actually made me complete a story. Please comment below - any comments will help me make the next story better.