Trotting side by side, the two made their way down the much more crowded streets. In her hoof, Cherry carried a bouquet of bright, vibrant, yellow daffodils wrapped in white wax paper possessing a floral pattern upon it. Alto, while still having a proper air to him, now walked more casually with a bright smile upon his face rather than an uptight frown. He glances down at Cherry from the corner of his eye, being curious as to why she would need them.

“That Griffon, Miss Gardenia was it? She was quite an orderly creature. Such admirable is that woman.”

“Yeah, she alright. Just between you and me I think she’s a little o.c.d.” Alto’s head tilts, as he didn’t understand.

“O.c.d? What is that? If you do not mind me asking.”

“Hmm? Well it’s kinda this thing where creatures are super attentive to certain things to an unhealthy amount. There’s more to it but I’m not a doctor so… eh.”

“Is that so? I do not see what you mean.”

Alto thought back to the flower shop, thinking carefully about what he saw.

“A-ah pl-please don’t touch the vases! Clean your hooves before coming in!”

A frantic griffon, seemly being a mix between a snow owl and a snow leopard, ran around the shop, staring at every stem of every plant she came across. Coming up to a plant she looked at it very closely, inspecting every leaf before carefully taking her garden sheers and snipping off a single leaf. Moving quickly, she snatched the leaf in her claws, refusing to allow it to taint her perfectly waxed, shiny floors.

“Good morning, Miss Gardenia.”

Around this character, Cherry acted very polite, offering only the upmost respect as she cleaned her hooves on the welcome mat before entering the shop. Everywhere was adorned with lovely flowers, each blooming bright and beautifully; even in the middle of winter.

“A-ah! Hellooo Cherry. It has been quite a while since I’ve seen yooou.” She gazed at Alto, giving him a curious, snarky stare as he entered the shop after cleaning his hooves like she had asked.

“And Whoooo is this? He seems tooo be newwww.”

“He is, this is a new friend of mine.”

Alto bowed slightly, giving Gardenia only the upmost respect.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, m’lady. My name is Alto.”

“Pleasure indeed. Hooow looong has it been since I’ve seen a newww face?” Gardenia walked over to a wall where many tools laid organized against it. She hung up her sheers, making her way to the back.

“I have a lovely booouquet of daffodils for yooooou. They just bloooomed a fewww days ago.” As she came out from the back she held the flowers, wrapped them up in some lovely wax paper and brought the to Cherry who delicately took them.

“Oh my, they’re beautiful! How do you do it, Gardenia?”

She closed her eyes, looking up in a prideful manner

“Perfection is my virtue, was there ever any doubt? If it is not perfect I shall make it sooooo.” Cherry giggled.

“Of course, Gardenia, of course. Mom will be really happy with these. Daffodils were always her favorite.” Alto looked at cherry, finding that comment very curious as he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Ahh, yes, Bloom indeed was always fond of my daffodils. Please, give her my regards will yoouuu? I wish I could visit her toooo, however, the flowers need tending toooo.”

“Sure, no problem. How much do I owe ya?”

“Consider it a gift from me. A pleasant way to begin the newwww year, isn’t it ?”

“Aww, thank you, Gardenia! That’s really sweet!” Gardenia smiled, but the smile quickly faded as a leaf fell from one of the plants and began to drift down to the ground. Instantly, in a blink and you’ll miss it moment, Gardenia clenched the tiny leaf in the palm of her claws.

“Well I must get back tooo work. I cannot afford to allow my shop to be tainted with molting leaves.”

“Right, see you again next month.”

The two left the shop, walking down the street.

“On second thought, I suppose she was just a bit… compulsive.”

“It’s just how she is. Just don’t mess up her floors or touch anything without asking and you two are golden.”

“Golden? Oh no, lady Cherry. I am but a shade of cream and her white with gray; it surely would not make gold if combined.”

It took a moment for Cherry to calculate what he said but the moment it registered cherry laughed at him.

“A-ahaha N-no, Alto, it’s an expression. It means you two will get along fine.”

“Oh….”

He blushed, lowering his head as they trekked along. Soon, they reached gates that lead into what seemed to be a hilly park at first glance.

“We’re here…” Pulling her wagon, she entered the park, which had patches of snow covering it’s hills, releasing the harness around her waist and leaving the wagon parked near the entrance.

“You.. um… you can just wait here. I won’t take to long, promise.”

“Oh? No, I wish to meet your mother. Is that not the reason we are here?” She seemed surprised he would infer that.

“How did you?...”

“Back at the flower establishment you had mentioned those delightful flowers were for one’s mother. I, for one, would love to meet the lovely woman responsible for raising such a delightful mare as you. But, of course, if you wish for me to remain here instead I shall respect your wishes.” A look of hesitation was pasted clear across Cherry’s face as she thought for a few moments.

“W-well.” She glances at Alto, seeing him stand there with a intense stare. It was obvious he really wanted to meet her. She sighs, starting to make her way over a nearby hill.

“Okay, fine. Follow me.”

A huge smile spread across Alto’s face as he gallops after her, sticking close to her. However, the moment the two reached the top of the hill Alto’s smile vanished; making way to a frown. He froze; looking over the land he finally understood Cherry’s hesitation.

Carved stones stood in rows, lined neatly among the hills; it became clear to Alto this was no park.

“Alto? You coming?”

He looked down at Cherry, seeing she was already quite a way ahead of him.
“Y-yes…”

He galloped to catch up with her as she continued to walk through the rows of gravestones. A great sadness gripped him as he read some of the stones he passed; it didn’t take a genius to know where Cherry’s mother was.

They soon came to a stone, clean and very well kept, that had some old, dried up flowers at its base.

“Bloom Berry…”

Cherry removed the old flowers, placing the new ones in its place as Alto sat next to her, staring at the stone. Working, Cherry glanced at Alto from the corner of her eye, watching him stare intensely at the stone.

“She was a very sickly pony….” Hearing her speak, Alto looked at her with a started look.

“Two years ago, she became very ill and ended up fainting when we were harvesting some pears. The doctors did everything they could but her body couldn’t take the treatment and she died three days later.”

Finishing up, she tossed the old flowers to her side and stared down at the stone with a sad, but loving, look.

“Those three days me and Blue never once left her side…”

“… I see…”

Alto honestly didn’t know what to say. His heart winched inside his chest from the pity he felt for her. Somehow, he felt like he could relate. The two sat in silence, almost as if Cherry was waiting for Alto to say something but quickly realized he had nothing to say, so, she began to talk instead but not to him.

“Hey mom… I got to see Clair again today… she looks really happy working at herbal café. Gardenia says ‘hi’ or, more specifically, she gives you ‘her regard’ hehe… but still, better regards than being ignored no?”

His heart, it felt so odd, all he could do was stare at Cherry as she spoke.

“Oh, I brought a new friend today. He really wanted to meet you.”

She pointed at him, acting as if she was actually introducing him to someone. It took him a moment to say anything in reply but he wasn’t about to just leave someone hanging.

“Hmm herm…” He clears his throat and gives a slight bow. “It is a great honor to meet you, Lady Bloom. I must say, you have a very lovely, kind hearted and generous daughter. One has done an excellent job raising her into a delightful young mare.”

Cherry blushed slightly, smiling yet keeping her sober look. From the corner of his eye Alto could see her expression and he couldn’t help but want to remedy it.

“I have been informed that you are quite fond of daffodils. That is quite sensible; the daffodil is quite an exquisite flower. As a memento of our meeting please allow me to give you a small token of my admiration of you and of your dear daughter.”

His horn flared a sapphire, fiery aura; sending a stream of magic to a single daffodil Cherry had place upon her stone. After a second he spread the beam all over. Suddenly, from the cold, snow covered earth, grass blades and daffodil buds began to grow, bursting into beautiful flowers surrounding the edges of the stone. Cherry stared in awe as they burst free to greet the world. She was left speechless, tears gathering in her eyes.

“Pardon me, I know this isn’t much of gift. However I-“

“No!” She cried out, her voice lingering for a second. ”N-no Alto… no it’s…”

He looked at her, seeing the tears crawl down her face.

“It’s perfect! She’d love it…. She’d adore it… I mean…”

She couldn’t help herself, in that moment she felt joy so overwhelming, she lunged at him and grabbed him in a tight hug.

“Thank you Alto…Thank you so much.”

It took him a moment, as he wasn’t really keen on the whole hugging thing, but he hugged her back and held her close. It made his heart feel light.

They stayed like that for a moment, enjoying the company for a while. The cold around them nibbled at their skin and blowing through their manes but the couldn’t feel it.

All they felt was warmth

Author's Note

The simple gifts are the ones that means the most