Unpolished Gems: A Concept Collection

It was a great day to go to the game, my favourite game, hoofball. The weather was just right, and the sun was grey. Perfect. As always, she purrs so musically into the microphone, announcing who would be playing today. Rony Fells vs Shah's Subtropical Adhesives. This match up always makes me want to play the game, so fast paced and intense. It's like a work of art, just like her.

She's amazing, little miss Ghoti. With her pure white feathers and coal black fur, your eyes are just drawn to her. I mean, have you ever seen any other griffin with that colouring? Nope! She's one of a kind.

I sigh and watch the ponies duke it out on the field, kicking the ball too and fro. I keep getting distracted though, as she fly's above the field, giving a running commentary on the game. It's a very close game, and the crowd is going wild. I cheer loudly, stomping my hooves with the rest of them. One of Rony Fell's attackers leaps up and spikes the ball into the goal a second before the buzzer goes off. Victory is theirs!

The fans rush onto the field to congratulate them, but I stay put, closing my eyes as I relax. You would think being a spectator would be easy. It's surprisingly not. You get invested in the game, riding the ups and downs as your team of choice battles for that coveted win. It's nice to sit back and unwind after a close game.

"Every game, I notice you all alone up here after the game ends. I've always meant to ask, why? The rest of the attendees ether go home or run onto the field to celebrate together."

I open my eyes and look at the speaker. To my surprise and delight, it's Ghoti. "Miss Fish! It's an honour to meet you." I fidget and quickly run a hoof through my mane, hoping I look presentable, "Why I stay up here? Mostly to relax. These games can be intense, what with all the back and forth and kicking and passing and scoring and jumping and, um, I, uh." I blink as my thoughts fall apart, shattered by her beauty. I probably look like an idiot, and sound like one too.

"You're so cute when you're flustered, why don't we talk about how intense these games get over supper. I'll pick you up at eight." She winks at me and kisses my cheek, then flies off, leaving me standing there like a grinning looby.

My watch starts beeping and I look at it, frowning. Eight o'clock already? That can't be right. I don't even own a watch. I step forwards—

and fall out of bed, hitting the cave floor with a crash. My roommate laughs and hits the snooze on my alarm.

"Dreaming about this fishy girl again? This creature with 'wings' who flies in the 'sky' with the 'sun'?" He laughs and helps me up, "I don't know how you think up all these imaginative things. All I can imagine is finding some nice gems, maybe an opal or two."

"Because I'm a teacher, and you're a digger," I grumble and set about cleaning up my side of the room. But Daryl is right. I really should stop wasting time on things that don't exist. All there is, is us diamond dogs and endless dirt, clay and rock. Ghoti is just a wish.