Hidden Magic

Lolli had Gimmer read the directions as they made salad and hay burgers for lunch. She even let Glimmer toss the salad after Lolli prepared everything. Once it was done Glimmer set the table and Lolli set out the food. Lolli watched Glimmer as she straightened chairs and fixed plates. Lolli smiled, happy to see a smile on Glimmer's face.

Glimmer ran up to her.

"Miss. Lolli everything's ready. Is there anything else you want me to do?" Glimmer asked.

"You don't need to call me Miss, Glimmer, and no. I'll call everyone to eat, you just take a seat." Lolli smiled. Once Glimmer was sitting she called out. "Time to eat! Get it before it wilts!"

In less than a minute twelve sets of hooves came running, well more like eleven, one set of hooves came in trotting last. The owner was a pure white unicorn filly with a rose colored mane and tail.

"Hello Razzle, glad you could finally join us." Lolli remarked, smiling.

"I've told you to call me Dazzle." the filly replied.

Razzle Dazzle, the white filly's full name, was an orphan. She and her parents had been traveling on a mountain when there was an avalanche, her parents had covered her with their magic, but forgot about themselves. They were found too late and Dazzle was brought to Lolli. It had only happened the previous winter, so everyone tried their best not to bring it up.

Dazzle looked at Glimmer, then at Lolli, "What if I started calling her Teardrop? Hmm, I doubt she would like that, even if she's constantly crying." Dazzle smirked at her.

Lolli stared at Dazzle, "Dazzle I will not have you bullying Glimmer, or anyone for that matter. Not while you're here."

"Well, I'm sure I'll be leaving soon. My aunt and uncle will come for me, once their down with their business trip and vacation." She sat up straight, pleased with herself.

Lolli looked at her, she wanted to believe that Dazzle would be able to live with somepony she knew, but she never tried to raise anyone's hope too high. "We'll see." she replied.

"Hmph." Dazzle replied.

"Well, dramatics aside let's eat." Lolli exclaimed, passing the hay burgers around.

The foals with magic helped the other kids that were younger, or couldn't reach. This was how Lolli raised her foals, they were taught to help each other.

Glimmer stared at her plate, thanking the pony her placed a burger on it without looking up. Dazzle had always picked on her. Glimmer didn't know why, but she thought it had something to do with the fact Dazzle knew she had been left here.

Slowly Glimmer ate her burger and when she was done she drew and imaginary smile on the plate, one only she could see. It smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Thank you." the smile said.

"Why?" Glimmer asked. Her imaginary things always spoke to her, though not all thanked her.

"You smiled at me, no one smiles at me, you're very kind." it smiled back.

"I'm not that nice, but your welcome." she saw the smile fade, "are you leaving already?"

"Yep, but you can see me whenever you like, I like you."

"I like you too Smile." Glimmer smiled as if vanished, her imaginary friends always faded slowly after she talked to them.

Glimmer froze, she could feel everyone's eyes on her. Her ears picked up some not so quiet whispering. "She's talking to nothing again." Dazzle remarked.

Glimmer looked up at Lolli. "Can I be excused?" she asked.

"Of course, I'll have Dazzle help with dishes." Lolli replied.

"What?!?" came a startled yell.

"It's your turn." Lolli replied.

"No, it's Cookie's turn!"

"Which Cookie?" two fillies asked. They were identical twin earth ponies, but only one was named Cookie Swirl, the other was Sugar Gumdrop.

Dazzle stared at the twins she slowly pointed to the one on the left. "You, you're Cookie!" she cried triumphantly, looking smug.

"Nope!" the twins sang in sing song and left.

"Hey!" Dazzle cried, getting up, but she was stopped by Lolli getting in her way.

Every other pony had quickly vanished. "We have a table to clear." Lolli remarked, gently nudging Dazzle toward the table.

"Fine!" Dazzle sighed, using magic to stack the plates.