Snowy Days at the Turnpine Inn

Chapters

Prequel
Chapter 1 - Journey
Chapter 2 - Bad to Worse
Chapter 4 - Trapped
Chapter 6 - The WInter Winds
Chapter 3 - The First Night
Chapter 5 - The Second Night

Prequel

Nearly two moons after the first coming of Winter, Starlight Glimmer had received a letter. It was the kind of day best spent indoors around a fire, reading a book or chatting with one of her friends, a cup of cocoa at her side. Yet, for some strange reason that she could not recall, Starlight had been outside, braving the bitter cold with a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck, blue toque with a pom-pom fitted snuggly over her ears, when Derpy had come up to her, breathless and shivering.

At first, Starlight had expected that the mailmare had delivered to the wrong pony, or was searching for Twilight with some desperate plea from the Princess--which wasn't altogether abnormal when Twilight and Spike were away on separate errands. These hopes were dashed when, after being urged inside the nearby Sugarcube Corner brandishing her rugged sack of mail, Derpy spilled out the reason for her mission.

"Letter for Miss Starlight," Derpy wheezed, brushing snow off her back with a great shake of her body and wings, sending tufts of wet snow across the room and over Starlight's face, "from Sire's Hollow! It says 'URGENT'! So I had to get it to you right away!"

Starlight, brushing snowing off her face and out of her mane, gave Derpy little more than a look of amusement. She recognized the writing on the envelope as being from Stellar Flare, Sunburst's mother. That mare always had a flair for the overdramatic, and any mention of urgency from a mare like that brought little concern to Starlight's mind. Still, something seemed off about the way her writing on the envelope was written with shaky pen, or how it had been sealed hastily. This was unlike Stellar. Most peculiar.

Before she had a chance to ponder this any further, Starlight had become aware that Derpy had been shifting awkwardly whilst still holding the envelope. Realization dawned onto Starlight that she had, in fact, been standing there staring at it, neglecting to actually take it. It was Derpy's turn to give her a weird expression, though one of confusion.

"Erm, of course. I'm sure it's nothing. Thank you, Derpy. Can I get you a cup of hot cocoa, or...something? Awful day to be doing deliveries..." Starlight cleared her throat and took the letter in her magic, tearing it open quickly.

"No thanks, Starlight!" Derpy smiled broadly. "I think I'll take a raincheck on that. Got other deliveries to make, and my little Muffin is waiting for me back home!" Swelling with pride, Derpy turned tail and headed straight back out into the blistering cold, leaving Starlight to ponder over the letter with a growing sense of dread.

Dear Starlight,
Your father has taken gravely ill. The family home has fallen under disrepair and I fear he may not make it through the winter in such bitter cold if the holes in his roof are not fixed. He does not wish to worry you, but I fear for his condition. We are doing what we can, but he will accept our help no longer. I don't know what's gotten into him. Please see to him at once. We worry for him.
Yours, Stellar Flare.

Starlight didn't move for some time after that, her eyes glued to the neatly written signature at the bottom of the letter, a stark contrast to the hurried scrawling on the outside of the envelope. At first, a sense of bitterness rang though her. How could her father do this to himself? Why was he so selfish? It was probably some ploy to see his daughter running back home to tend after his every waking need. No, she wouldn't indulge him. He didn't deserve that satisfaction.

Sipping her tea, Starlight mulled it over for what felt like hours. Her bitterness and rash anger faded away into a feeling that she had grown accustomed to since being under Twilight's tutelage; reservation. She knew well enough now how to control those negative feelings such as anger and resentment, and the irrationality caused by such emotions, even if she faltered from time-to-time. What remained was acceptance, reserving herself to let things simply be as they were, reminding herself that there was little she could do to control it.

The howling winds outside caught one of the wooden shutters and slammed it against the windowsill next to her, waking her out of her mental seclusion and bringing her back to the present. She stared around the room as if she had just woken up from a daydream, where what few other ponies who'd braved the trek were huddled in booths around tea and cocoa, and the fireplace directly across from her. Outside the window, Starlight could see untouched snow piled high onto roofs and on the streets in places that had been bustling with traffic just months ago, but were now all but deserted. Next to the street where snow had been plowed by stallions brandishing shovels just a day ago were large drifts of it, accumulated over time as more and more of it had been piled on.

Once, many years ago as a filly, Starlight had begged her father to take her sledding. This was years after Sunburst had left her life and she had few friends. Her father had obliged and taken her to the biggest and most popular hill in Sire's Hollow. While it was a simple enough event, it was one of the few cherished memories of unbridled happiness in her youth that wasn't beleaguered by sadness or resentment for ponies more capable of making friends than her.

After hours of rushing down the hill on her little wooden sled, squealing with glee, and rushing back up to the top, little Starlight had attacked her father with a few well-placed snowballs to the back. In retaliation the stallion had picked her up in one swoop and dunked her into a nearby snowpile just like the one outside, amidst her fit of giggles. Naturally, she had plopped back out, covered in snow, and pelted him once again. It was a snowball fight he was destined to lose.

The sound of a throat being cleared a mere several feet away broke Starlight's daydream, and she turned to face Cupcake, who was looking down at her patiently from the end of the table.

"I said, did you want another cup of tea, sweetheart? You look out of sorts, how about a cupcake? Just baked it this morning. It's on the house! It'll definitely cheer you up!" The mare smiled kindly, but Starlight shook her head and politely refused.

"No thanks, Mrs. Cake. I think...I have somewhere I need to be."

Chapter 1 - Journey

Starlight left town without another moment’s hesitation, or even a word of her departure to any of her friends. Only Twilight knew, and that was because she was in the way of packing her things.

“This is crazy, Starlight,” Twilight insisted, standing next to the frazzled mare as she packed her saddlebags. “The road west is dangerous. They’re calling for heavy snowfall in that region, and Rainbow Dash says that the factory there is testing a new snow production method. The chances of something going wrong are... are...”

“I’ll be fine, Twi. Honest. Stop worrying about me.” Starlight didn’t even make eye contact as she grabbed her things, methodically laying them out on her bedspread in order of necessity, choosing what to bring and what would have to be left behind.

“But you could wait a week. The train is bound to be running again, and...” Twilight shook her head in disbelief at the very notion of her friend putting herself in such peril. “It’s going to be freezing out there, Starlight. The Equestrian Environmental Department of Weather issued a warning on all travellers not to head west. It was in the paper! You can’t travel now!”

“No, Twi, I have to go.” Starlight sighed wearily, finally giving Twilight her attention as she finished packing, buckled up her saddlebags, and hoisted them onto her back with her magic. “It’s my Dad. Something’s wrong. He needs me.”

“W-well, then at least take somepony with you. You shouldn’t travel alone.”

“I couldn’t ask that of anypony at this time of year, and besides, I don’t want someone hanging around while I work things out with my sick Dad and fumble over our years-long broken relationship to find some semblance of anything but resentment.” She grabbed her scarf and wrapped it around her neck, pulling a toque over her head. It would mess up her mane and make it frizzy later, but she didn’t have much inclination to care about that now. Twilight blocked her exit, standing in the doorway with watery eyes full of frustration.

“Star,” she whispered, “please...”

“I have to. I have to go.”

She brushed past her mentor and dear friend, and without a word to another living soul, walked straight out the front door.

Everything west of Ponyville as far as the eye could see was largely untouched wilderness in a vast open valley. To the south-west was the White Tail Woods, and to the north the Unicorn Range and Smokey Mountains; but due west was nothing but trees and dense forest for miles and miles until one eventually reached Sire’s Hollow.

To get there by train one had to detour around the Smokey Mountains, make a stop near Vanhoover and loop back south. Hardly convenient for a pony on foot. There was a road, more or less depending on your definition of such, that was an ill-fated path for many. True, the unnamed forests swathed across the horizon were not as dangerous as the infamous Everfree Forest, and at first sight it seemed an easy challenge, but for what it lacked in immediate ferocity was its vast nothingness, the long stretch of road that went on for days or weeks depending on how one travelled. Most travellers were either horrifically ill-prepared, tragically lost too far off the trail, or just plain driven mad by the length of travel. Modern ponies just weren’t meant for long trips on the road like they once were.

Starlight knew this road well. She knew the stories, had met many travellers fresh off the winding dirt path and had taken each and every cautionary tale to heart. It was this road she walked on when she first left home, destined to establish her rule over a hamlet of struggling ponies desperate for a purpose. She had walked on this path when she returned home many years later with Sunburst when the Cutie Map had beckoned. But those days were in the summer, during warm days and cool nights when they’d sat huddled around a fire sharing stories of their youth. Now it was winter, and winter on this road was a different beast altogether.

Starlight walked on freshly fallen snow the crinkling sound of hoofsteps breaking through the surface echoing between the trees. In the distance, branches rustled and creaked under the heavy weight. The boughs of evergreens sagged and wobbled, reflecting the glint of perfect white powder into her eyes. She averted her path slight enough to move away from the sun’s glare. She’d heard of a pony who’d gone snow-blind and become lost before, and it wasn’t a fate she desired for herself.

It must have been years since the last time the road had been improved upon. Several months of ice and snow layered one after the other hid the path and made it barely visible. It was no wonder ponies often got lost, though Starlight knew her way home well enough. Still, it wasn’t getting lost that she was afraid of, it was being back at home again.

Her stomach grumbled words of malcontent and the worldly distraction came as a welcome respite from her thoughts. Starlight slowed her trot and came to a halt under a tree that looked like it wouldn’t leave her an icy surprise should she linger too long. Those were stories she’d heard, too, and the lesson was that one could never be sure about falling icicles in the thickness of the Woods.

Settling onto her haunches, tail wound tightly between her legs to give some space between her bottom and the cold forest floor, she reached into her saddlebag. She’d brought enough supplies for five days of travel, meaning she’d most certainly have to stock up as soon as she made it to Sire’s Hollow. Still, she had food, mostly protein bars and nuts, a tent, cooking gear, a pot to boil water with, her sleeping bag, a water bottle, and socks for sleeping. One could never be too comfortable on a winter’s night where one’s hooves were concerned, and socks were the only luxury Starlight had made space for.

Starlight munched thoughtfully on a bar of granola as her eyes scanned around the treeline. It surprised her how different everything looked under all that snow. It stood to reason, then, that she hardly knew where she was. That probably should have troubled her more, but she found herself in want for a reason to care.

She watched a small rabbit hop through the snow in search of food, presumably for its family sleeping back in its den, seemingly unafraid of predators or the imminent starvation it might face. As it hopped through patches of snow and checked under trees, it seemed to catch her gaze, stopped in its tracks, and wiggled its nose to pick up the scent of her food. Its ears wiggled and it turned to look straight at Starlight, peering right into her eyes from its spot some hundred feet away. It seemed to try and gauge her as friend or foe before it turned about and hopped away behind a tree.

Back on the road again, Starlight thought about the rabbit, how it hunted through the cold to fend for the needs of others despite the dangers posed to itself. Maybe it saw a kinship in Starlight, recognizing her as somepony who struggled on the same path. Supposedly, the rabbit hadn’t left home full of resentment to terrorize an entire town of ponies into subservience, but maybe Starlight was projecting herself. Okay, she was definitely projecting.

A particular gust of wind that sliced through the air caught Starlight’s back, stinging her with a biting chilliness that cut through her to the bone. She shivered and pulled her scarf. Four to five days on the road, depending on how fast she walked. She might even be able to do it in three and a half if she cut back on sleeping, which was ill-advised, but certainly not impossible.

It had been some hours since she’d been on the road, but it felt as though days had gone by, and the drop in temperature made it feel even longer. She was lightly shivering under her feather-down jacket that had protected her through many a cold day, but none had been like this. Had it ever been so cold in the days of her youth when she’d gone sledding with her father?

Happier times. When she didn’t think about friends, or cutie marks, or Sunburst. Bitterness had been planted in her heart like a seedling, but it had yet to bloom until years later. Her father, before picking up his new job, had taken her to the sledding hill nearly every weekend in the winter. Snowball fights, hot cocoa while resting in his lap. Those were sparkling, joyful memories she held fondly.

Then the new job came about. It was better for the family, he had said, and it was true they could afford more things and objects, luxuries they didn’t have before. Starlight’s little bookshelf in her play room grew and grew as her budding fascination with magic blossomed and swallowed up the room until it was a play room no longer, and her study henceforth. The same room she’d spend sunny, summer days playing Dragon Pit until her best friend had been unceremoniously taken away and her life had been flipped upside down.

The trips to the park ceased after that. No more sledding, hot cocoa or cozying up by the fire with Dad. He was always tired after that, thanks to the long hours of work, and Starlight began to enter her teen years when things really took a turn for the worst. They barely talked anymore. Meals were hardly shared. Outwardly, Starlight despised him for little reason other than his inability to be everywhere at once and teenage hormones telling her that parents were fascists by nature and didn’t understand what being young was like anymore.

An owl hooted far off in the distance and she thought back to the rabbit scurrying through the underbrush. Maybe the owl would catch it and eat it for dinner. The rabbit family Starlight had imagined would almost certainly starve off then. More likely was that they would all eventually emerge from the warren, facing starvation, and subsequently picked off by the same owl.

Starlight shook her head firmly. Not only was she projecting again, she was over-sympathizing with the concerns of rabbits. She was no Fluttershy, and she did not fancy herself the type of pony to fret over the cycle of nature that she could do little to control anyway.

Control—Starlight almost smirked to herself at the irony and sheer amazement that the idea of trying to control the world around seemed so alien, when there was a time not so long ago that it seemed as if that was her only goal. That was a different time, and a different Starlight. She didn’t like thinking about her anymore.

Would her father still see her as the same Starlight? Despite his desperate attempt the last time they’d met at treating her like the cute little filly he so often took sledding on the weekend so long ago, his memory of her was no doubt tainted by that of the horrible daughter she’d been during her teenage life, and for that matter most of her life up until a short time ago. When he saw her, did he see old, controlling, antagonistic and misguided Starlight? Or did he see the new, level-headed, thoughtful and redeeming Starlight she so desperately tried to be?

She was so busy being deep in thought that she failed to notice how far down the sun had gone. Which suited her just fine considering it was her whole intention to stay on the road as much as possible, if it weren’t for the whole absence-of-sunlight thing, and how she could barely see the trees on either side of the path. She also couldn’t see the rock on the ground before she tripped on it with a forehoof, tumbling forward face-first into the cold, unforgiving snow and dirt. Her vision spun, and she landed in a daze.

Righting herself, Starlight busied herself with brushing as much snow out of her fur before it could melt from her body heat and make her fur wet. As she did so, she scanned around to get her bearings. Only the never-ending line of trees, layer after layer, greeted her, all the way from the north and to the south. To the east, road. Or was that west?

The realization that she’d lost her bearings hit her immediately with a sudden force harder than the tumble to the ground a moment before. She looked up to use the stars, only to find Luna’s beautiful night sky obstructed by nothing but grey clouds. She was lost.

It was hopeless travelling the road now in the dark. She could be going in any wrong direction and fail to see wolves, a bear, or worse. She had brought a compass, but in the dark there was no use trying to fumble with one of those. No, the best course of action for any pony with a two-bit brain was to make camp for the night and stay put.

She spotted just off the road a small clearing that had enough space for her tent and a fire but still offered coverage from snow or rain above, and promptly pulled her saddlebags from herself with the intention of setting up camp. The freezing, nightly temperature had really started to set in, and she found herself fumbling, her hooves numb with cold. Items from her bag went left and right into the drifts of snow that she could not see in the dark. She could swear that half of her food had fallen under that tree over there...

It was no use, better to build a fire to warm up first. Had she thought to bring matches, fire-starter, even flint? To her horror she found none of those things in her saddlebags or the surrounding pile she sifted through. She lamented her stupidity for not bringing them. At the very least she was a unicorn with magic, so there was still hope if the cold hadn't numbed her too much. She struggled to grab as many sticks as she could find, a paltry amount by any standard, and threw them into a pile. She yanked off her toque, wincing as she exposed her ears to the biting cold, and tried to conjure a spell.

Funny thing about unicorns in the extreme cold is that their horns don’t work a damn when they’ve gone completely numb. Kind of like when you lose sensation to your extremities, so too does a unicorn first lose their ability to conjure a simple spell, and any scholar of magic will tell you that conjuring fire from the basis of nothing is no simple spell. Starlight's horn sputtered and crackled but nothing meaningful came out.

Starlight slumped into the snow and quietly sobbed as everything fell apart around her. Her supplies scattered around her pathetic attempt at a makeshift camp, her tent in shambles. Before the aching cold could wear her down any longer, she abandoned her attempt at a fire and grabbed the fallen branch of an evergreen, pulled it over herself, and huddled under a tree, hugging herself for warmth.

Dad was waiting out there somewhere, maybe freezing like she was with the family house in such disrepair, if Stellar Flare was to be believed. But he had ponies around him who cared enough to check on him, ponies who were able to help at much less a cost. As Starlight shivered intensely under that tree, she cursed him, cursed his selfishness. The moment she stepped hoof in Sire’s Hollow, she was going to set him right.

Chapter 2 - Bad to Worse

When Starlight awoke, before she’d even opened her eyes, the first thing she knew was cold. Blistering, numbing, painful cold that dug deep into her core. She woke up shivering heavily.

She slowly opened her tired eyes—it had been a restless sleep, after all—and all she saw around her was white. The whole world had turned significantly more white than she last remembered. Memories of the night before flooded back as she gazed around the various lumps of snow around her where her half-baked attempt at a camp had been. Even her makeshift shelter of a pine branch had been blanketed with more snow. Little white flecks of powder lightly danced through the air as they made their slow descent to the ground even still.

Starlight tried to right herself, shoving the branch away with a great kick and brushing away the copious amounts of snow that had subsequently showered over her. She got to her hooves and shook even more of it off. She felt like it was everywhere, in her coat, under her scarf, in her fur. She couldn’t get away from the awful chill of it all. From then on forward Starlight decided she hated the snow.

She went about collecting what she could of the camp, digging away at what lumps she could immediately find despite the numb ache in her hooves. She found her saddlebags where she knew she’d left them. Her compass, thank Celestia, was still inside. Various parts of her tent, enough to make it stand, were strewn about, and she was able to pack them in. To her chagrin it was the food stores that now appeared to have dwindled significantly. She barely had more than a day’s worth now. Her heart rate quickened and she felt her blood pressure rise as panic set in, her carefully-made plans crumbling apart.

Starlight took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Counted the seconds as they ticked by, the sound of snow falling off the trees, the beat of wings, an animal scurrying up a trunk. She focused away from the numbness, the dull aches and pains and instead the feeling of the ground beneath her hooves and the slight bit of warmth her jacket afforded her. She exhaled and opened her eyes, pushing out her negative thoughts, her anger. Just like Twilight had taught her. She felt better now, replacing the angst with a mellow reservation instead. She could do this, accept the world around her instead of losing control of herself. She had a job to do.

Gathering up what little supplies and courage she could muster, she drew her compass out of her bag, held it out with her magic that, thankfully, finally worked again, and set her sights west.

If snow had been a problem on the path before, it was tenfold now. Everywhere she could see had been covered in another layer of the stuff, making trekking on the path a difficult task. Since there were no trees directly on the road to keep it clear it also had no cover from the elements. Her hooves fell a solid two or three inches below the surface with each step. Ice clung to her fetlocks as snow melted and refroze. She couldn’t stop from shivering all the time.

Looking up, the sky was cloudy and grey. It looked like the snow would continue forever and it looked gloomy. Starlight felt another twinge of panic before she took a breath, focused her thoughts, and continued her trek forward.

Twilight had been right. All those anecdotal stories of ponies on the road, her own personal experience; none of it meant anything now. She briefly considered heading back and taking the train in a week like Twilight had said, she wasn’t more than a day’s journey along, certainly not even halfway, but she pushed the thought aside. No, Starlight was too stubborn for that. She had set her mind to something and would see it through.

There was an Inn somewhere along the road that ponies would stop at. A sad little establishment that had never seen its heyday and was in a sorry state of disrepair, but it was the only point of safety and warmth along the road, and the only stopover point. Starlight had never been, but she’d seen it from afar. She was always in too much of a rush to make it as quickly as she could to Ponyville or Sire’s Hollow to even considering resting for long, let alone paying the bits. Now, it didn’t seem like she had much choice.

Starlight walked and walked for hours. Walked until she forgot about the cold, her mind racing over the possible scenarios of what was going to happen when she made her way back home, and what she would say to her father for putting her in such peril. Sure, there was resentment, but she had pity, also. Mostly, she wanted to spend as little time there as possible. See him sorted and leave the moment the train was back up and running.

The snow never stopped falling as the day wore on. It started light and fluffy, reminding her of better times, but became heavier as the sky grew cloudier. The wind picked up, howling and whistling between the trees and blocking out all of the peaceful sounds that had put her mind at ease before. Now all she had was the uncaring winter.

The weather ponies in these parts must have been crazy to make weather like this. It had been a long time since Starlight had seen anything this cruel and unforgiving.

By about midday, when the sun should have been at its highest somewhere through all the clouds, and the snow and wind had gotten so bad Starlight could barely see what was in front of her, she had reached the hill.

She knew this place from her various journeys. It rose up out of the valley and entered into the highlands where Sire’s Hollow was. She was still days away, but somewhere on the other side of the top was the inn and her only hope for something warm. She wanted nothing more than a hot cup of cocoa to warm her insides, and a hearty fire for her outsides. Everything else was secondary to the need to warm up.

It was so cold. So cold she couldn’t feel her hooves. Her horn had numbed and stopped working an hour ago, and her stomach groaned with hunger, but she ignored all other desires. The wind had gone from its occasional howl to unrelenting screams as it weaved between the trees and seemingly picked her out as its only target. She fought back against the headwinds that threatened to push her all the way back to Ponyville. Under all the ice and fur, her heart raced with determination. She pressed on despite her body begging for a break.

The slope of the hill had never been much trouble for her before. When she’d walked with Sunburst they’d taken a little break at the bottom, and then at the top to eat. She didn’t have that luxury. A small fear had started to root itself deep within her, growing and feeding itself the colder and wearier she got. It was the fear that she wouldn’t make it out of this forest alive, that Twilight was right in so many more ways than even she knew. Starlight had ignored her pleas to wait until it was safe and now Starlight was going to pay the ultimate price.

The headwinds pushed her down as she trudged forth up the slope of the hill. It had never seemed so steep, so foreboding like it did now. She kept her head down, wincing as icicles started to form on her eyelashes. Her pace slowed to crawl and in her mind she focused herself on walking forward one hoof at a time. One step, two step, three step, four. One, two, three four.

It was a slow ascent. The slowest Starlight had ever travelled anywhere. She kept telling herself she could do it. She wasn’t like those other ponies who got lost on the road and never made it home. That wouldn’t be her. She wouldn’t allow herself to be another cautionary tale for future travellers to remember. The mare who got lost in the cold, too stupid and impatient to wait until the train arrived in a week.

One step, two step. She stopped and wheezed, gasping for breath. The shrill winds had made it difficult to breathe. Three step, four. She trudged forward, her hoof slipping into deep snow and she nearly fell before righting herself. She was halfway now, hot cocoa and a warm fire beckoned her. Almost there.

She was so stupid for risking her life like this. Nothing was worth that. It wasn’t as if the relationship with her father was about to get worse, that had already been about as bad as she could imagine it.

One step, two step. She could see the trees at the top. A gust of wind pushed her to the side and she nearly slipped on a patch of ice. Three step. Somewhere, a tree toppled over and let out a creeeeeeak crash. Then apart from the howling of the wind, silence. The forest carried on one tree less, uncaring and unsympathetic. Fourth step; the top. She was nearly there. A few more steps and...

Starlight collapsed into the snow and ice, face-first, her body shivering as she huddled up and whimpered pathetically. She’d never known cold like this before. The snow just kept falling, coming down from the sky in a nonstop flurry. She was in a blizzard and she was trapped. It occurred to her, then, that nopony was going to come to her rescue in this. Not for days at least.

Prying herself from the cold, cold ground, she stood on shakey hooves and walked forward, one step at a time. As she rose over the top of the hill, through all the grey she saw smoke, a chimney, then the rest of the inn came into view. Her salvation.

Several ponies and a gryphon were huddled around a fire, chatting quietly amongst themselves when the door suddenly burst open. Their peace was disrupted by the howling wind, and a snow-battered Starlight who collapsed on the rug.

Two ponies immediately jumped to her aid as soon as she fell. A third shut the door as they brought her in, dragging her near the fire.

“Move outta the way, squirt. Let ‘er rest here.”

“Is she gonna be okay, Momma?”

“Oh my gosh, how long was she out there?”

“Give the mare some space already! Somepony grab a blanket. Melody, the tea!”

Voices echoed all around her before she was wrapped in a blanket and placed near the fire. Somepony held up a mug of tea and she drank eagerly. Warmth settled in, the cold dissipated. Starlight curled up, too busy shivering to say much.

As soon as the warmth had started to set in, and her hooves regained some of their feeling, Starlight opened her eyes. She was in front of a great big fireplace that crackled and licked at the air, its emanating heat thawing her body. She wiggled closer, as close as she dare get, and lifted her head to look around her.

Three ponies, a little foal, and off to one side, a gryphon, sat around her. A cup of tea sat steaming to her left. The foal, a wide-eyed little colt, sat nestled between a young couple on an old sofa, his mother petting him gently while his father prepared himself a pipe. The gryphon sat on a chair off to the side, staring into the fire with little care for the commotion around him. Next to the couple, a young mare about Starlight’s age peered at her with a face full of worry.

“Th-thank you. For the help,” Starlight croaked, breaking the silence. Five sets of eyes turned to peer at her, and she swallowed nervously, “My name is Starlight, and I am--”

“A damned fool for travelling out in that storm. What were you thinking?” interrupted the gyrphon crassly.

“Gideon, please spare us your negativity,” The stallion had finished with his pipe, bringing it to his lips in a magical aura before lighting it. He turned to Starlight, “You’re lucky to be alive, way that storm is raging. Looks like you’re stuck here with the rest of us.

“Stuck?”

“The storm,” Interrupted the stallion’s wife, “In all my years as a weatherpony I’ve never seen anything like it. The factory must have suffered a near-total catastrophic failure. At least a month’s worth of weather pouring out all at once. That’s why...” She beckoned to a rattling window on the other side of the room. “Horrible business.”

“But I can’t stay. I have to make it to Sire’s Hollow. I have to...I have to be there.”

“Only way you’re getting there now is as an icicle. Trust us, better to wait out the storm here, where it’s warm. It’s only just begun and it’s about to get a whole lot worse.” The mare persisted. The colt, having started to sit up on her lap, looked between Starlight and his mother.

“Is she gonna be an icicle, Momma?”

“No, honey. Not if we have anything to say about it.” She soothed the little foal with a shushing sound. He went back to his spot between his parents and gazed at Starlight watchfully, as if afraid she would burst into ice at any moment.

A new face emerged from the dim shadows behind the couch. It was an older stallion with a long grey beard and a tired face. He carried with him a bowl of soup, some bread, and more tea. He set them down on a coffee table next to Starlight.

“Here, lass, drink. Leftover from supper. Afraid it’s all I’ve got at the moment, but there’s enough food for everyone here to last at least a week. We’ve got extra blankets, too. You ought to stay.” His voice was deep and patient, wise from all his years.

Starlight wanted to protest, to insist upon leaving, but her senses got the better of her. It was no use arguing when she’d been out there, seen the storm herself, and if the mare was too be believed, it would only get worse.

“Name’s Huck, this here is my establishment. You’re sittin’ in The Turnpine Inn, grandest hotel this side of Equestria for miles around. You stay here and make yourself comfortable, and we’ll all wait out the storm together, least until things clear up.”

“If you’re wondering, he calls it that because this is the only hotel. Easy to be the best when you don’t have competition.” The gryphon Starlight had come to realize was named Gideon remarked.

“Easy there. Ain’t no shame in having a little pride in one’s work.” Huck grumbled.

“You’re not seeing the point here, grandpa, there’s no room for her. All your rooms are booked. To us.” The gryphon gestured around the room. “ I count three rooms, and they’re all being used.”

The grizzled old stallion frowned.

“I suppose that’s true, but we’ll have to make due. Suppose maybe one of you could--”

“I’ll share.” A single, faint voice cut through the tension. A voice that had been silent up until then, sitting on her side of the sofa, watching the goings-on, and Starlight, curiously.

“Well how about that,” the old stallion chortled, “That’s awfully kind of you, Vapor. Miss Starlight, meet Miss Vapor Trail. The two of you ought to make best of pals.”

“Good. So long as I don’t have to share, I don’t care.” Gideon shrugged and dropped back into his chair.

Starlight finished her soup while she watched the bickering, unsure of how to respond. Truth be told, the grumpy gryphon didn’t exactly seem the welcoming sort, so she relished the idea of sharing bunk with him. Vapor Trail seemed much more agreeable, and Starlight had to admit, far friendlier.

“That’d be really great. If you don’t mind, Vapor.” Starlight finally spoke, and all heads turned back to Vapor.

“Of course not. Couldn’t let you freeze out there in the cold. Besides, I’m a small pony and it’s a big bed. Lots of extra space.” Vapor offered a grin.

The room returned back to what Starlight assumed had been its previous state. The other mare was reading a story to the young colt, who yawned and nestled into his mother. His father smoked his pipe thoughtfully. Gideon resumed staring into the flames. Huck, for his part, took up Starlight’s empty bowl and resumed into the kitchen in the darkness.

“C’mon, Starlight. You must be tired. Our room is this way.” Vapor got up from the sofa and helped Starlight with her saddlebags that had been resting against the wall near to the fire to dry off.

Starlight, too, rose to her hooves and for the first time had a good chance to look around. The inn was quite long. The grand fireplace took up nearly half the back wall of the inn, and cascaded the entire room in flickering lights. The door she came in was across the room in the corner. On the same wall, two large windows with curtains drawn in front of a large dining table that took up a large part of the floor space. On the other side of the table, the bar and small kitchen where Huck was cleaning dishes in the dim light. A door near to him must have lead to his own personal chambers.

Starlight followed Vapor away from the sitting area and to the furthest corner of the inn from the front door. Huck waved as they walked through the bedroom door.

“Breakfast’s at sunrise. Don’t be late, ‘less you want cold food.”

Their room was rather small. It had barely enough room for a bed, a dresser, and a small mirror. Vapor set Starlight’s Saddlebags on the floor by the door and climbed up onto the bed. Starlight felt her body and eyelids grow heavy as the need for sleep tugged at her.

“Bathroom’s out there, other side of the room. Last door on your left,” said Vapor, pulling herself under the covers.

Starlight followed suit on her side, turning to face away from the middle of the bed out of courtesy. The warmth and softness of the bed felt as if she’d never been in one before, soothing her aching muscles and lulling her to contentment.

“So you were really out there in the cold all on your own, huh?” Vapor whispered. Starlight let her question hang in the air for a few seconds.

“Yeah, but it was stupid of me and I shouldn’t have tried it.”

“We all make mistakes, I guess. I was trying to fly back to Stratusburg when the storm started. It’s way worse up in the clouds.”

Starlight muttered something incoherent under her breath, eyelids starting to close. She could have sworn that Vapor said something else, but her body had other plans as sleep drew her in. She dozed off instantly, snoring quietly as she huddled the blankets.

She dreamed of her father, the icy landscape outside, a lonesome rabbit, and of her bed at home.

Chapter 4 - Trapped

Starlight had a warm, restful sleep. It was just after sunrise when she awoke, little fragments of light shining through the curtains. For a brief moment she thought it might have been sunny, and the disastrous day before would just be a far-off memory, but then a gust of wind brought her back to reality. The storm was still raging outside, and as she opened her eyes and craned her head, she saw nothing but grey and white through the spaces in the window where light broke through.

She was still pressed incredibly close to Vapor Trail, the proximity barely even registering at first. Bringing up a forehoof, Starlight rubbed sleep from her eyes and yawned, remembering how she’d found herself here: how she’d arrived, the dangerous journey outside, waking up in the middle of the night, the softness of Vapor’s fur.

Despite the chill of the room around them she was still warm and cozy. After such a good sleep she almost didn’t want to pull away, but she did retract her hooves enough to put an inch or two between them. Vapor Trail started to stir awake, letting out an enormous yawn and blinking away sleep. Her wide blue eyes peered at Starlight and there was a moment of silence as they lay there, gazing at each other.

“Morning, heh. Sleep okay?” Vapor was the first to speak, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Yeah, I did, actually. I really, really needed that. I had no idea how exhausted I was.” Starlight, suddenly much more aware of how close together they were, started to wiggle herself away. She missed Vapor’s warmth immediately. It was so much warmer next to her.

“Brrr...it’s really cold.” Vapor shivered. Did she think so, too? “Huck said the heater was on the fritz but it’s way worse than I thought it would be. Good thing I had you here. I probably would have frozen all by myself!”

Starlight had started to scoot herself back inch by inch until she was at a respectable distance. Vapor’s words caught her off guard, and she blinked in surprise.

“Uh, yeah, totally! You know what they say, keep close to somepony to share body heat. Perfectly normal thing to do!” Starlight could have sworn she saw Vapor smile wryly, but who was to say that wasn’t her usual smile? The other mare started to sit up, stretching her hooves and her wings while she yawned again. Starlight looked away, somewhat flustered. Being so close to her in the middle of the night, when it was dark and she was tired, wasn’t the same as waking up that way. Now it felt like a tension was hanging in the air. Had she done something wrong? Starlight perished the thought.

“M-hm.” Vapor kicked away the covers and wiggled out of bed, the sound of her hooves hitting the wooden floor a soft clip-clop. She was careful to smooth out the blankets on the bed, leaving it as neatly made as she found it. “I’m gonna go get something to eat. Smell’s like Huck’s got oats going. You coming?”

“Sure. I guess I could use something to eat.” Starlight tried to be casual but her stomach groaned. She’d smelled it, too: the wonderful smell of freshly cooked oats and fruit. Starlight rose from bed and attempted to follow suit. Her hind hooves were stuck a little further under the covers then she’d realized, down where the blankets were tucked neatly under the bed. She started to wiggle her body out and to the side, prepared to land on the floor gracefully like Vapor had done. She swivelled her body, turned to the side, and her hooves got stuck. Instead of the graceful turn and shuffle she’d been anticipating, she rolled out of bed, panicked when she got stuck, flailed her hooves, and flopped head-first onto the floor with a thud.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Vapor rushed to her side, concern written all over her face. Starlight looked up at her upside-down, blew a strand of mane from her eyes, and laughed awkwardly.

“Uh... I’m fine. Nothing hurt but my pride!”

Vapor Trail held back a snicker, her face turning from concern to mild amusement.

“Oh, well, I recommend getting out of bed before rolling out of it. Tends to work for me.” Vapor giggled.

“You know, that’s not a half-bad idea. I’ll try it sometime.” Starlight replied with a deadpan expression, and began to unravel herself from the mess of blankets and sheets. She managed to reorient herself onto her hooves, hurriedly remaking the bed with her magic.

“That sounds like a good plan,” Vapor smiled wryly, turning around and trotting out the door to get breakfast. She stopped, glanced at Starlight to see if she was joining her, and continued on.

The first thing that Starlight noticed when she walked into the inn proper was the smell of the food. Oats, berries, toast with jam, freshly-squeezed orange juice. Such simple foodstuffs smelled heavenly in her state of hunger. Her stomach growled again.

The food was all laid out on the enormous oak table which as positioned under two large windows, across from the fireplace and sitting area. The curtains were pulled open to allow some sunlight in, but all that one could see outside was the raging storm and wind that piled more white snow up against the glass. It made Starlight think of her father in Sire’s Hollow and she relished the thought of being out there now.

To her right, Huck was in the kitchen on the other side of the bar table, making extra oats and washing fruit. He smiled and nodded politely as Starlight walked past, drawn by the smell of food. On her left, the mother with the young colt, who was all bundled up in star-patterned pajamas and looking adorable, ate together on the sofa. Neither the gryphon nor the stallion were anywhere to be seen.

Starlight filled a bowl with oats and some manner of fruit, and poured herself a coffee. Vapour had made herself comfortable by the fire, so Starlight followed her there.

“Hope the cold didn’t bother you too much last night.” Huck joined them with a mug of his own coffee, taking the large lounger where Gideon had been sitting the night before.

“The heater, I heard.” Starlight acknowledged. “It, uh...wasn’t too much of a problem.” She avoided Vapor’s gaze, turning to look in the opposite direction. Suddenly her oats were quite interesting.

“Right you are. Old girl’s had her best years behind her. Meant to replace it years ago but never could get around to it. Ain’t easy bringing a new one all the way out here. Wouldn’t have dreamed we’d see a storm like this, though.” Huck sighed. Starlight could see he was proud of what he’d built here, and not being able to provide for his patrons must have weighed heavily on his mind. Starlight sipped her coffee and picked her words carefully, trying to change the subject.

“Where are the other two?” Starlight glanced between Huck, and the little family on the sofa next to her.

“Papa’s chopping wood!” The colt announced proudly.

“And Gideon’s probably still sleeping. That gryphon sure likes his beauty sleep,” said Huck. The little colt seemed to find that incredibly amusing, as he cackled loudly.

“Yeah, he’s a big sleepy head!”

Starlight couldn’t help but crack a smile, too. She munched on her oats and sipped coffee in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the tranquility of the room around her, admiring how the chaos of the world outside seemed to do little to damper the mood of this happy band of ponies who were just thankful to be somewhere warm.

Control—Starlight couldn’t control the weather. Couldn’t control being stuck here until the storm passed. She made a conscious decision not to dwell on Sire’s Hollow for at least a day. Let the troubles of the world be something to worry about when she could do something about them. For now, she enjoyed her oats and coffee.

“I’m Cinnamon Bun, by the way!” The little colt had hopped up from his mother’s lap, bounded across the sofa, and perched himself right next to Starlight. “I saw you come in last night. You must have been soooo cold out there! Brrrr! I’m not cold, ‘cause I’ve got these really neat jammies, see? Maybe you should get jammies so you won’t be cold, either!” He proudly leaned back on his haunches and balanced there, forehooves spread out to either side to let Starlight see his obviously super cool pajama designs. She had to admit, they did look comfy and warm.

“Hi Cinnamon,” Starlight reached out to ruffle his straw-like mane, “I’m Starlight. Starlight Glimmer. It’s nice to meet you, and yes, it was very cold outside. I don’t have pajamas like yours, but they do look pretty nice!”

“M-hm!” Cinnamon nodded proudly.

“I’m Spring Melody,” Cinnamon’s mother gave a little wave of her wing, “Sorry about Cinny. He likes meeting new ponies. My husband’s name is Emerald.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Don’t worry about it, I like kids.” Starlight nodded in return. Cinnamon had burrowed his way into Starlight’s side, making himself nice and comfy leaning into her. Starlight instinctively tucked a hoof around him. He was a cuddly kid, and that suited her just fine. Off to the side, she heard Vapor Trail give off a soft ‘awww’ sound.

“So how did you end up here in the storm?” It occurred to Starlight that, barring Huck, everyone here was trapped like her, and must have been going somewhere.

“Oh, we were supposed to be with family in Ponyville but got trapped by the storm like you. We decided to play it safe since we have Cinny with us. We’ve been here, oh, three, four days?” Spring Melody tapped her hoof to her chin.

“And Gideon?” Starlight glanced at the only closed door on the opposite side of the fireplace.

“He was here when we got here. I’m not sure, actually.” Melody replied, turning to look at Huck for answers. The old stallion sipped his coffee slowly.

“T’ain’t my business. Didn’t ask.”

“Surely you must be curious, Huck.” Starlight pressed on.

“Sure, but when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, you learn not to ask questions to a certain type of folk.”

“Maybe he’s a spy, Momma?” Cinnamon hopped up out of his comfy spot under the crook of Starlight’s foreleg, hopping back to his mother and sprawling across her lap.

“Hmm, I don’t think so, hon. What would a spy be doing out here?” Melody rubbed the colt’s back.

“Well, how long has he been out here for?” Vapor Trail spoke for the first time in several minutes. Starlight had almost forgotten she was there, on another chair closer to the fire.

“’Bout a week, maybe more...”

“Maybe...maybe he’s a spy who sabotaged the weather factory, Momma?” Cinny piped up, his eyes full of mischief and delight. The adults all laughed, and Cinny seemed satisfied he’d spread more good cheer.

“Don’t think so, laddy. Nothing to gain out of misery like this.” Huck stroked his beard as he gazed out the window. “Ah, here’s Emerald with the wood. My, but look at how white he’s gotten!”

Cinny and Melody both rose from their seats as the front door burst open, catching on the wind and rattling the whole building when it slammed against the wall. Emerald, his coat matted with clumps of fur and ice, wrapped in layers of sweaters, coat, and scarves, trudged in dragging a large bundle of wood in a sled behind him that hooked around his shoulders. He kicked the door shut behind him, pushing back against the wind until he was satisfied it wouldn’t budge.

“Mmf Fffm Feff,” announced Emerald beneath all his scarves.

“Speak up!”

Emerald yanked the scarves from his mouth and tore off the multiple layers of hats.

“I said it’s bucking cold!”

“Honey, language! Your son is right here!” Melody covered the ears of a giggling colt, who had taken up chanting the word over and over again.

“Sorry, dear. Just had to get it out of my system.”

“Buck!” squealed Cinnamon, wriggling out of his mother’s grasp and traipsing across the sofa to Starlight. “Buck! Bucking buck!”

“Well I hope you’re happy. Look at what you’ve done.” Melody crossed her forehooves, and Emerald gave a tired sigh.

“Yes, dear.”

“Buck!”

Huck let out a bellowing laugh.

When breakfast was done Starlight took up some of the plates and bowls and offered to help clean. Huck was grateful, even if he normally wasn’t comfortable with his patrons doing chores, and he told her as much. He was up to his neck in things to do to keep up with the sudden influx of visitors, not least of which was the heater; it was an older model and was years out of circulation. The inside was caked in soot and parts didn’t simply come off without tools anymore. To fix it would be to break it. The old girl had done her time, even if Emerald insisted on taking a look.

“I’m not the handiest pony but I do have my magic. I could at least try. I’m always fixing stuff at home.”

“Ain’t no use, I’ve been working that thing for years. Nopony knows her like I do. She’s up and quit.”

While they cleaned up, Starlight listened to Huck talk about days gone by when the inn was still young. His was a happening place by the way he spoke of it, always seeing visitors and he would scant see a day when all three of the rooms were empty. Those were days when ponies had a mind for adventure and took the trail at leisure.

While Huck talked about the time that Princess Celestia had visited in complete disguise and only he had known, Starlight found her attention drawn elsewhere. Vapor Trail was helping Cinny practice his numbers while Emerald laid some wood in the fire. Vapor’s back was to the kitchen, her voice too low to hear what she was saying. Starlight admired her mane, how it flowed and spooled around her shoulders, wondering if it took her long to style her mane like that, or was it just natural?

“And then I says, iffin it’s fit enough for a Princess, the rest of you lot outta eat the porridge, too. Mind you, the Princess did not appreciate me outtin’ her like that, no siree, but she stood up for me all the same.” Huck finished putting away the plates and gave Starlight a cursory glance. Following her gaze, he cleared his throat, and his tone of voice altered. “Something on your mind, Miss?”

“Huh?” Starlight snapped out of her stupor and turned around, seeing the look Huck had been giving her. “O-oh, it was nothing. Just deep in thought is all.”

“Sure you are.” He chuckled softly, a hearty belly-laugh that seemed to jostle his whole body. “Oh-ho, yes. I’ve seen that look before.”

“What do you--” It was Starlight’s turn to give him a quizzical look, the gears visibly turning in her head while it processed. “Oh no. I-it’s not like that at all. We were cold last night is all. Heater was busted, you know!”

“Ain’t my business so I don’t mean to pry, but there ain’t no use in lying to yourself. That’s what my mother used to say.” Chortling to nobody but himself, Huck walked away, leaving Starlight standing in the middle of the floor, stunned. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and breathed deeply. ‘No, he’s just an old codger. Doesn’t know what he’s talking about.’

A commotion on the far side of the room caught Starlight’s attention. Gideon had swung open his door abruptly, causing a neatly-stacked pile of wood near the fireplace to topple over. Emerald was fuming, mouth opening to start shouting a string of cuss words. Gideon’s wings unfurled aggressively as he stared down at the pony.

“Boys, please!” Melody interrupted, standing between them to defuse the situation. “This isn’t anything worth fighting over and not in front of the kid.” She hissed the last part, mostly directed at Gideon, who got the hint and re-furled his wings. He briskly brushed past both and went straight for the kitchen where Starlight was. No one else seemed to notice, but there was a faint hint of fear in his eyes. Was he afraid of Melody? Starlight couldn’t hold back a small smirk

“Mornin’.” Gideon grumbled to Starlight as he plucked the coffee off the counter and took a swig of the black, unsweetened liquid straight from the pot.

“Good morning. Me and Huck just finished putting away the food but there’s some oats over there.” Starlight nodded to the counter where the leftovers were stored. Gideon nodded appreciatively.

“Thanks.”

Starlight had known enough gryphons to understand that this was the best she was going to get for the time being, and the fact that he’d even greeted her at all meant he was taking a liking to her. Leaving him to eat his breakfast in peace she took a moment to take stock of everything around her.

The big table took up more than its fair share of space around them. Next to the sofa and chairs there was barely any space left for much else, but Huck had managed to squeeze a couple bookcases on the wall adjacent to the front door, and the last door on the left wall which, by what Vapor had told her, was probably the bathroom. Gazing over the various titles on the shelf, Starlight sighed in relief, knowing she wouldn’t die of boredom when there was at least something decent to read. She spotted a few board games tucked in one shelf, even a few she recognized, and made a mental note to bring one out later.

As much as settling in to read sounded like a pretty comfortable plan, a hot bath sounded better. It had been several days since she’d had one, at least since she’d left Ponyville, and though she certainly didn’t smell bad, her fur had started to become matted and a little greasy. She poked her head into the bathroom—there were two stalls with wash basins and curtains hanging from the ceiling for some privacy, and a toilet in a stall of its own.

“Hot water’s limited but it’s hot so long as you’re quick. Or, if you like a cold bath, take all the time you need.” Huck shouted from behind, anticipating her question.

“Got it!” she called back.

She filled the large wash basin with water and slipped in. It wasn’t as hot as she would have preferred but it was still warm, and that was enough for her. She quickly washed herself, getting out all the dirt and grime from the bottom of her hooves and her tail. She ran some shampoo through her coat, getting out some of the matted spots and what must have been sap from the tree.

Turning onto her back, Starlight let her head rest against the edge and closed her eyes, enjoying a moment of quiet while she soaked in the warm water. She tried not to think about the rattling of the windows, and instead focused her mind back home. Twilight must have been worried sick. No doubt word about the weather factory accident had come back to her. Knowing Twilight, she was probably frantically pacing back and forth, trying to deduce some way of reaching her. Starlight made a promise to herself to write a letter as soon as she could and hope that it would reach her quickly.

She wondered if Twilight had told the others, too. Likely they would have reassured Twilight that Starlight was strong and would survive on her own, as she always had. Would Twilight believe them? They would all go back home, worry in the back of their own minds. She hated that she’d put them all through that. Leaving was a mistake, and Twilight was right.

Her mind had started diverting back to thoughts about her father and Starlight put a stop to that at once. She had promised herself she wouldn’t think of that, at least not for awhile. It was nice here, the ponies were friendly, and even Gideon had his gryphon-y charm. Then there was Vapor: kind, sweet-smelling, comfy-to-cuddle Vapor Trail. Starlight’s eyes snapped open.

Not wanting to be alone with her thoughts any longer, she pulled herself out of the tub and levitated over a towel to dry off her hooves one-by-one, then patted down her back, haunches, and tail. She fluffed up her mane as she tousled it around with the towel, running a brush through it after to make sure it was straight.

Out in the foyer, there was quite a bit of activity. Gideon seemed much more awake then he had been before; both claws were gripping the handle of the front door, his back paws at a wide stance as he pulled with all his might. He grunted and panted from exertion.

Beside him, Emerald egged him on, looking panicked and distraught. Melody hugged and cradled little Cinnamon who’d taken to crying and wailing. Huck and Vapor looked on solemnly. Before Starlight had a chance to ask, Gideon let go of the door and dropped onto all fours, wiping sweat from his brow.

“It won’t budge.”

“Well... what’s that supposed to mean? We can’t leave?” Emerald shouted.

“I mean it’s jammed. Won’t move. Frozen solid. Probably a huge drift of snow on the other side.” Gideon glanced at Melody and the colt sympathetically, before looking to Huck. “Old man, is there another way out of this place? A back door?”

“Nope, was never a need for it.” Huck tried to look calm, but there was obvious strain written on his face. Starlight didn’t need to ask to understand that there was not enough firewood to last them for very long.

“What about the windows?” Starlight took a step toward the group, trying to make her voice sound calm and collected even though she was just as worried.

“Tried that.” Gideon grumbled. “Frozen shut.”

“The chimney?”

There was a definite pause. Everyone looked toward the grand fireplace. It was big enough for a pegasus, certainly, but it would be a tight squeeze. Not to mention they wouldn’t be able to wear a snow-coat, and they’d come out covered in soot. Nobody envied the pony who was going to have to endure that.

“I think it might work, but it’d be a tight squeeze.” Melody mused. “Once I’m on the other side, I could--” The colt squeezed his mother tightly and immediately started bawling.

“No Mama, nooo! Don’t leave! You’re gonna turn into an icicle!” He sobbed. Melody tried to soothe him, but it was no use, he was inconsolable.

Silence fell over the room for a few seconds while the colt quietly sniffled. Emerald had moved to their side and was doing his share to quiet him. It wasn’t until Vapor, who had been silent the whole time, got out of her chair and spoke, that the colt stopped shuddering.

“I’ll do it. I’m smaller and I can fit. I’ll go through and clear the front door.” Her voice was soft and delicate, but held a certain confidence. Like her voice would easily be drowned out amidst all the chatter but held a certainty that caused everyone to stop talking anyway.

“That’s all well and good sweetheart, but nopony is doing nothin’ while there’s a fire in that there chimney, and I don’t fancy letting it cool off enough to get somepony through only to have to start it up again. Sides, we’ve got enough firewood to last the night.”

“So, tomorrow then?” Vapor pried her eyes away from the chimney that rose up the roof and toward Huck, the only one who hadn’t left his chair since plopping himself there with his coffee just after breakfast.

“Tomorrow.” He nodded.

The room suddenly felt collectively lighter as everyone took a breath of relief. Gideon mumbled something about needing a drink and wandered toward the kitchen. Cinnamon, having returned to his happy self, was bouncing around between his Momma and Papa.

Starlight took a seat back on the sofa to be close to the fire. Her fur was still damp and had made her a little chilly since getting out of the bath. Vapor was sitting next to her quietly.

“That was...really brave of you, Vapor.” Starlight spoke first, offering a glance over her shoulder in the other pony’s direction. “Offering to go yourself so that Cinnamon won’t be scared. It was...sweet.”

“You think so? It was nothing, really. I figure it’d be easier if she didn’t have to leave anyway. And if anything happened, I don’t have a family to look after...”

That came at a surprise to Starlight. She straightened her expression

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

In a different life, Starlight would have left it at that, unsure of what to say next or where to go, but Student Councillor Starlight took her job seriously, and knew a thing or two about having these kind of talks.

“Is everything okay, Vapor?”

Vapor looked up from the fire and into Starlight’s eyes for the first time. Her eyes were soft, timid—not unlike another pony she knew—but there was also something else. Starlight stopped that idea before she found herself having wishful thoughts and projecting again. She had a habit of doing that. What was it that she wished for now, though?

“I’m fine, Starlight, honest. It was just a dumb joke.”

“Well, at any rate, I think Cinnamon will be much better now thanks to you. Everyone will be.”

“I hadn’t really thought of it that way. I guess you’re right.” Vapor lit up and smiled.

Hours later, after they’d had their supper and dined quietly together on toasted sandwiches made over the dwindling flames, Starlight was packing up the remains of a board game. They’d let Cinnamon win nearly every round, much to his delight. He picked up on it quickly, and toward the end they didn’t even have to go easy for him to steamroll them.

Cinnamon let out a huge yawn and settled into his mother’s lap. He was the first to go, napping peacefully before his parents scooped him up and took him to bed, wishing the rest of the room goodnight. Starlight finished packing up the game and put it away.

Huck was next, the old stallion falling asleep in his chair to loud snores. Gideon gives him a small shove and growled.

“I’m not listening to you snoring for the rest of the night.”

“I ain’t asleep, just resting my eyes, but if you insist.” Huck waved them off and trudged to bed.

The rest of them sat in silence. Gideon in the other chair, Vapor and Starlight on the sofa, enjoying the remnants of hot cocoa and some buttered tarts. The gryphon hadn’t spoken much in hours since the fiasco with the door, and had kept mostly to himself. Starlight remembered the conversation they’d had about him in his absence before, working up the courage to ask.

“So, Gideon, how’d you end up here?”

Gideon didn’t look up or shift his gaze. He let out a small grunt and, realizing the question wasn’t about to go away, exhaled slowly.

“I got lost. Was heading to Canterlot.”

“We’re a long way from there. How’d you end up this lost?” Starlight wasn’t sure if she believed him.

“Look, I’m directionally challenged. The winds mixed me up and I went west instead of east.” He clacked his beak. “I’m not proud of myself for it, but here we are.”

For some reason, Starlight believed him. All the talk about him being a secret spy on some undercover mission were so ludicrous, but she had to admit, they were amusing to think about. Instead, this mysterious, quiet gryphon was merely lost.

Starlight started to laugh. It came as a chuckle, a small sound that left her throat, until she was unable to hold it back. She’d been so stressed with the state of everything around her that she’d failed to fully understand that they were all very much in a similar state as her. No one could leave, no one truly wanted to be here, except maybe Huck. Her fears and worries of the day came crashing down, and the silliness in the idea that such a mean and tough gryphon had gotten hopelessly lost simply caused her to break down.

She was worried that Gideon might become angry or feel threatened. Gryphon’s had a way of doing so whenever their pride was hurt or their ego was shattered. Instead, Gideon started laughing, too. He wasn’t terribly loud, and it was more of a chuckle, but he was laughing all the same. To Starlight’s side, Vapor was snickering as well.

No one said anything further, and nothing more needed to be said. They all understood that in the very situation they found themselves in, trapped in a storm on a hill in the middle of nowhere, they at the very least had each other. Maybe, that would be enough.

Vapor was the first among them to stretch and yawn.

“I think...I’m gonna head in. G’night, Gideon.” She whispered.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Starlight nodded, getting up herself.

Gideon nodded to the two of them wordlessly, bidding them goodnight.

When both Starlight and Vapor Trail had pulled themselves under the covers, and Starlight had made sure to leave her distance from the middle, Starlight stared at the ceiling. Vapor started to quietly snore almost as soon as her head had hit the pillow. Sleep didn’t come so readily to Starlight, but she did revel in how cute Vapor’s snores were.

She thought again about her father, and in the darkness of the night when there’s nothing between you and your thoughts, and you can’t stop it from wandering, your mind does what it will. Starlight thought about him lying awake in their family home, the power shut off and wind battering at the window. His blankets all had holes and were worn from use. The heater barely worked and wouldn’t keep him warm, and he didn’t have enough firewood for more than a day, because the whole town was blanketed in snow and no one could get to him. In her dreams, Starlight watched him wither away and starve, all alone, with no one by his side. She didn’t feel even a single ounce sorry for him.

Chapter 6 - The WInter Winds

Morning crept up on them before they knew it. Sunlight poured in through the cracks and cast shadows on the wall. It must have still been terribly cold, but nestled under the sheets cradling each other, Vapor and Starlight were warm.

When Starlight’s eyes opened she was greeted with fluffy mane and white fur in her face. Unlike the morning before, she felt no desire to pry away. Vapor shifted, one of her eyes peering up.

“Awake finally?” Vapor mumbled so quietly that a pony standing a mere few feet away would register it inaudible, but Starlight heard it clearly.

It didn’t at all feel like when she’d woken up in Vapor’s personal space the day before. Then, she’d felt anxious and awkward that she’d allowed herself to fall into that position so readily, as if the brunt of the responsibility fell almost entirely on her for doing so in the first place. Now was a stark contrast, remembering so vividly how Vapor had pushed herself into that position in the middle of the night. Starlight did not feel so guilty anymore.

Instead, she blinked away sleep and made no effort to get out of bed or pry herself from the comfortable snuggle. She gave a nod of affirmation to Vapor’s question, but otherwise remained still. Vapor scooted herself back a notch and their bodies were once again pressed so close that their fur intermingled, grazing against each other’s skin. Starlight could feel the other mare’s breathing, slow and calm.

“I feel like I just had the best sleep in ages.” Vapor yawned, bringing a hoof out from under the covers to her mouth. Lifting the blankets for even a second was enough to let the cold in, and she shivered. Starlight quickly squeezed the hoof under Vapor’s barrel, and the mare nestled in.

“Brrr.” whispered Vapor, snapping her hooves back to her sides and clutching Starlight.

“Better now?” Starlight had her muzzle in Vapor’s neck, smelling her sweet, flowery scent.

“Yeah, but... I know a way to make it even better.” Vapor started moving, prying herself away. Before Starlight had a chance to ask, or protest the absence of her warm body, Vapor turned herself around to face her, and brought her body back in.

Vapor’s head immediately burrowed into Starlight’s chest, both hooves tucking around her back. Starlight did the same with her own hooves so that they were holding each other. She looked down, her vision full of Vapor’s wispy mane and strands of white-green hair that jutted out in all directions, tickling Starlight’s nose and face. She scrunched up her muzzle and nearly sneezed.

A soft giggle from below caught her attention and she caught Vapor’s gaze looking up at her with sharp eyes.

“See? Totally better.” Vapor whispered, giving Starlight a big squeeze.

“Much.” Starlight nodded. She couldn’t disagree that it was far more comfortable. She felt a nagging at the back of her mind telling her that something was wrong, but dismissed the idea.

The room fell silent apart from the steady breathing of either mare, the occasional rattle of the windowsill, and the odd howl of the wind outside. It was still early, and perhaps no one else had gotten out of bed yet. That suited Starlight just fine.

They must have laid like that for an hour, sharing no words but mutually enjoying the other’s presence, before new sounds started to rise from the other side of their door. At first, it was just hoofsteps, the sound of somepony in the kitchen. Then a door creaked, voices met and matched each other’s volume, grew louder and louder.

Both Starlight and Vapor knew that the moment wouldn’t last forever. Vapor had, after all, made a promise the day before and still had to fulfill that—there wouldn’t be a toasty fire until the front door was unstuck—but neither seemed particularly in a rush to start the day yet. It seemed like they were challenging each other for who would move first, giving the other a reason to also get up. It was a game neither were going to win. Vapor was the first to snap, starting to stir and wiggle.

“I better go out there,” she whispered again, “I just...don’t want to.” She sighed.

Starlight did something she never in a million years would have seen herself doing, but at the time felt like it was exactly what needed to be done: she started to rub Vapor’s back, her hoof drifting down and following the curve of her spine, then tracing it back up. She felt that Vapor needed some sort of comfort, and even if it was uncharacteristic for Starlight, it’s what she did, anyway. Vapor cooed and laid her head back down, closed her eyes, and remained motionless once again. She relished in the moment and her enjoyment of it was clear.

After some time, Vapor pried herself away most reluctantly with a flutter of her eyelids, giving Starlight a regretful look, and sat up. She stretched out her hooves, her wings, and kicked the covers away.

“I really, really should get out there now.” She sighed.

“Yeah, you’re right, but it was nice while it lasted.” Starlight rolled her hoof in the air and shifted her gaze away, chuckling nervously. She didn’t dare think about what everything was about yet. Not when such pleasant warm feelings were still fresh on her mind.

Vapor and Starlight both climbed out of bed at the same time and smoothed out the blankets. Starlight was far more careful than before, making sure not to make a fool of herself again.

Trotting into the common area, there were only two ponies up and about. Emerald, wrapped up in his coat and many scarves, was trying at the door again. The rest of his family was obviously still in bed where it was warm. Huck was preparing cold fruit and cold coffee, the best he could without a fire.

Immediately upon leaving their room they were hit with a blast of icy cold. Without the fire burning, it had crept into the large room and infiltrated everywhere. Starlight shivered, trying to shrug it off. She caught Vapor gazing silently at the tall fireplace, as if gauging in her mind how this was going to work.

“Are you sure about this?” Starlight asked her, keeping her voice low. “We can try another way.”

“No. It has to be this.”

Huck joined them by the sofa where he’d brought out some extra blankets. Starlight wrapped herself in one, huddling under it appreciatively, and watched as Vapor prepped herself with little wing exercises and stretches. It didn’t take a smart pony to realize she was nervous about this.

“It’s no use.” Emerald, joining them, swallowed back a cup of the awful cold coffee and grimaced. “Door’s still stuck. There should be a shovel somewhere by the shed where I left it. You remember the plan?”

“Get out, get the shovel, clear the door, get where it’s warm.” Vapor nodded. Starlight noticed her shiver and knew she was already feeling the cold. The temperature must have dropped considerably since Starlight arrived two days ago.

“Right. I’ll take care of the wood. Don’ worry about anything but the door.

Vapor nodded again, gave her wings a single lazy flap, and walked under the mantel. Her hooves were immediately caked in ash but there was little she could do about it. She ducked her head until she was under the chimney, and looked up.

“How’s it look? I haven’t cleaned up there in ages.” Huck called from her side.

“...Like nothing but black. Ugh, this is never gonna come out of my fur. I think...I think I should fit.”

“Okay, but take it easy. We don’t need you getting stuck on top of everything else.”

Vapor remained silent as she took a cautious step, leaned back onto her hind hooves, and started to squeeze herself up through the chimney. She was worming herself through, back pressed against the brick and soot while she used her hooves to wiggle herself up. Starlight watched nervously from the sofa. She’d never thought of herself as claustrophobic, but she couldn’t imagine what it was like up there.

Slowly, Vapor disappeared while the chimney swallowed her up more and more. First, her hind hooves ascended into the black. Her tail hung low and flicked for several more minutes, getting dirtier and dirtier every time it accidentally batted against the wall. Soon, all of Vapor was gone, and one could scarcely remember she had ever been there to begin with, were it not for the occasional grunts she let out from exertion and the shifting of her weight each time she went up. Before long even the sounds were gone.

The rest of the room fell into complete silence. Emerald had shuffled himself back to the door, waiting in earnest for the moment he could help. Huck sipped his coffee by the window. Starlight never moved, staring at the fireplace that had swallowed up the mare she had been snuggling so comfortably with less then an hour before.

A hoof fell on Starlight’s shoulder and patted her gently. Starlight looked up in surprise to see Huck staring solemnly down at her.

“Fret not. Vapor’s a strong lass, she’ll be fine.”

“I... you’re right. I just can’t help but worry.” Starlight let out a sigh. Huck simply nodded in understanding before returning to the window.

After an agonizing eternity of waiting, the silence was broken by the soft patter of hooves on the roof. Starlight jumped the moment she heard them. Not long after, Huck started to shout.

“There she is! Up in the air. What’s she doing up there?”

Starlight rushed to his side to see where he was pointing. Like he’d said, Vapor was doing a few slow, unsteady circles through all the wind and snowfall, her eyes locked somewhere in the distance. She didn’t stay up there long, however, as she descended back down to the ground and landed to a running trot. She bolted toward the shed and sifted through lumps in the snow by the shed door until she’d found a wooden handle. Yanking it out, it soon became a shovel.

Rushing back to the front door with the shovel dragging behind her, Vapor started to attack the drift of snow that had piled up there. Starlight could barely see her through the glass, wings beating aggressively at her sides to keep herself warm when she had no coat, trying to shovel it all away while chipping away at ice.

“Emerald, keep trying that door! She needs all the help she can get!” Huck rushed to his side and, together, they kept tugging at the door, trying to dislodge it from its place. Starlight could do little but watch helplessly. She could swear Vapor was getting wearier and more tired the more she went at it, her shivering becoming more and more obvious. The drift must have been mostly gone by now, but the deeper she got the more ice she found.

Big clouds of breath leaving Vapor’s lungs were becoming more and more frequent as she panted from exertion and breathlessness. Her heart must have been pumping but it couldn’t keep her body warm. She gave up beating her wings as ice started to form on her feathers. It was becoming harder and harder for Vapor to keep trying. Starlight felt afraid for her new friend, and for herself. For losing a pony that she already had grown to care about.

She thought about that very morning, how they’d woken up snuggled together; how nice and cozy they’d been, and not just because it was cold outside. Vapor had been kind and understanding, listened to her woes. She thought about every detail of Vapor, how her mane was curly and frizzy when she was sleeping, her cute, gentle snores, the way she squeaked and muttered when Starlight had rubbed her back. A sudden, startling realization smacked Starlight right in the face and sent a shock through her whole system. It made her heart skip a beat and her chest tighten. It wasn’t just about huddling for warmth anymore, it hadn’t been all morning. Something had changed since they’d first met and though it had barely been more than two days, Vapor had stirred something deep with Starlight... and now Starlight felt more strongly about her then she’d felt about anyone in years.

She took a step away from the window, noticing how her hooves suddenly felt heavy and her body was wobbly. She tried to process all of the dozens of thoughts racing through her head at that very moment, but was also acutely aware of what was going on outside. She looked up to check on Vapor, only to see her chipping away at the door. Her eyes had grown extremely tired and she was shivering relentlessly now. She picked up the shovel in her muzzle and started swinging it like an axe, desperate to get through. It took a few good swings before something gave, the stallions on the other side of the door gave a violent tug, and the door finally came flying open.

Huck quickly grabbed Vapor and pulled her in, draping a blanket around her shoulders, leading her over to the sofa to sat her down, leaving her with Starlight before rushing to help Emerald outside.

Starlight wasted no time in throwing her own blanket around Vapor to share, and pulling her in for warmth. Vapor was shivering, teeth chattering and wings twitching, but said nothing. She was eager to press her face into Starlight’s chest again. Starlight decided she didn’t care about anything at the moment other than making sure Vapor was warm again.

Starlight cradled her close to herself and rubbed her shoulder with her hoof. With time, Vapor stopped shivering enough to pry herself away and stare up at Starlight. For the first time, Starlight noticed just how dirty her whole body was, caked in soot and ash.

“T-there’s...s-s-sompony out there. In the trees.” She grabbed Starlight and squeezed with urgency. “We have to...f-f-find them.”

It took Starlight a moment to register the information she was being given but it came as no less a shock. Rising from her seat and leaving Vapor wrapped in her blankets, she considered her options. They needed firewood or they were all going to freeze. Huck was busy shovelling away more snow to clear away the door and prevent anything from happening again. That left one choice.

“Vapor, you’re not going anywhere like this. Where did you see him?” She was already putting on her things and grabbing her coat.

“East, down in the valley. His fur is red so he was really easy to see.”

There was only one door on the far wall that the fireplace shared which was left unopened. Vapor and Starlight’s room, the little family, the bathroom: all those doors were wide open, either from being left like that, or in the case of Melody and Cinnamon, so that they could stay in bed where it was warm and still hear what was going on. The door in the middle was Gideon’s. Starlight went to it and knocked once. She had little patience for courtesy anymore, knocking again, but this time harshly and loud enough it echoed through the whole inn.

On the other side, sounds started to emerge. A groan, shifting of a mattress. Paws on the wood floor, heavy weight shifting back and forth as it toddled to the door. Gideon opened the bedroom door a crack and peered at Starlight with a big, yellow eye. Tired and hazy, it regarded her for a moment, looking her up and down, sensing the urgency on her face before she even spoke.

“There’s somepony lost out there, we--”

“Where.” The door flung open to reveal the room within. Luggage was strewn about haphazardly, some maps and writing material scattered around a writing desk and crumpled on the floor. Gideon had moved back near his bed, was putting on a sweater and a coat. Even big, scary gryphons didn’t risk the cold, not when it was like this.

“In the valley in the east, under a tree. Vapor said he was easy to spot from high up, on account of the colour of his fur. No telling how long he’s been out there. I’m coming with you.”

“Don’t be an idiot, you can’t fly and I’m stronger than you are. I’d just be carrying both of you” Gideon had collected a few things that Starlight realized resembled medical supplies, shoved them in a bag, and flung them over his shoulder. Under his bed, a wooden crate that had been shoved into an enormous bag with a shoulder strap lay crooked and poking out, the blanket from the bed laying partially over it. Gideon caught her gaze, followed it, and abruptly kicked it back under the bed and into the darkness.

“I--”

“Stay.” He growled as he briskly walked past her and shut his door loudly. He glanced at Vapor out of the corner of his eye and headed for the door. “I’ll be back. Don’t even think about going in my room, if you know what’s good for you.” He gave Starlight a mean glare and turned around, heading out the door and taking flight.

“It’s okay. Gideon’s strong. He’ll find the pony.” Vapor’s voice was feeble and especially quiet. “Come back and sit with me? I’m still a little c-cold.”

Starlight couldn’t deny how right both of them had been, but it still didn’t make being left behind and useless while everyone else had something important to do hurt any less. She took off her coat and returned to the sofa, where Vapor was quick to nestle herself against her. They shared the blankets for warmth and she held Vapor tight until she stopped shivering.

“I just wish...I could be doing something important. I feel useless.” Starlight admitted. “I’ve just been watching everypony else save the day while I sat here doing nothing.

“That’s not true. You’re looking after me and keeping me warm. That’s important.” The other mare offered a small smile and it melted Starlight’s heart. Her feelings came bubbling to the surface again, and she felt a tightness in her chest again that was impossible to ignore.

Huck had returned with some firewood and was trying to get the fire started again. A few failed attempts occurred, flames that would ignite and then quickly flicker out, before the fire was finally roaring and keeping the place warm. Emerald came back with enough wood for two days, which he carefully piled someplace far away from Gideon’s door.

By the time that Melody and Cinnamon emerged from the last bedroom, Vapor and Starlight were still huddled together. Not too dissimilar from the morning, when they’d been behind closed doors, with Vapor’s head tucked under Starlight’s chin, her muzzle tilted into Starlight’s chest fluff, but half-poking out to gaze into the fire. Starlight’s hooves clung to the other mare’s back and gave her a slow, gentle rub.

Melody and Cinnamon both took a spot on the sofa next to them and munched on toast while Cinnamon chatted away about how his Papa had saved the day once again. No one drew any attention to the two mares beside them, in their silent embrace, listening to each other’s heartbeats; Starlight felt just fine.

Author's Note

I've always intended for this story to be a little more grounded in real-life emotions and natural-feeling characters. As such, it also has a very natural sort of conflict happening in this chapter, with the characters responding in a way that suited their personalities rather than the show's less-then-consistent way of showing unicorn magic. That is to say, Starlight doesn't exactly show the magical prowess that fit some people's perception of her thanks to the show's inconsistent handling of it, and that's okay. This story isn't really about that. Furthermore, magic is more of a plot device and a convenience for the writers in the way they handled the abilities of characters like Starlight or Twilight.

Chapter 3 - The First Night

White fluff and tufts of fur sprouting in all directions. Small movements and slow, methodical breathing. Quiet snore. The twitch of a hoof, then a shiver. Pleasant smelling, like fresh dew on a spring morning. Soft squeak in her sleep, barely audible: adorable.

Cry of the wind outside that rattled the windowsill. Curtains shut, but no light peeking through. It was the dead of night and the inn was silent; silent and cold. No heat from the fire, barely any insulation in the old walls.

The blanket was warm and heavy but not enough, their shivering bodies huddled together, holding each other for warmth. Starlight nestled into the soft pillow in front of her, squeezing it thankfully for the lovely warmth it radiated. Only, it wasn’t a pillow—it was a pony. It squeaked softly at her squeeze, stirred a little, and shifted toward her. Both of them stopped shivering as their bodies drew close.

Starlight cracked open an eye. She was face-to-face with the sleeping form of Vapor Trail. Starlight’s head nestled in Vapor’s chest while the pegasus cradled her, hugged her back.

It was for the cold, nothing more. The blankets weren’t enough and the chill air was creeping through the walls. The cold permeated everything, slipped under the covers and nipped away at the ponies underneath.

Starlight pulled herself closer, tufts of fur tickling her nose. They’d barely even met, but no, she told herself this was necessity. She’d read somewhere in a survival guide that the best thing one could do in a freezing situation was huddle for body warmth. That’s what they were doing now. She must have turned around sometime in her sleep, wiggled closer. Vapor, for her part, didn’t seem to mind, happily hugging back, if she was even conscious of her actions. If she awoke first, Starlight would just pass it off as an accident, a subconscious action of her exhausted mind.

A gust of wind breezed through the windowsill and sent shivers down Starlight’s body. She pressed the rest of her body closer to Vapor and drew around the covers. Vapor’s hoof seemed to draw further around her, tugging her close.

It was nice.

It was only necessity.

Chapter 5 - The Second Night

When Starlight awoke in the middle of the night, the distance she had left between herself and Vapor was all but gone. Cold had settled in again now that the fire had smoldered out, and it was freezing under the blankets.

She turned around slowly, realizing that it was Vapor this time who had closed the distance. She must have wiggled herself back sometime through the night. Judging by how quickly she’d fallen asleep, perhaps it was an accident? Just like the first time it had happened the night before.

Starlight considered her options. Her sleep-deprived state washed away her inhibitions, and the need for something warm was more important than her pride.

Forgetting the uncertainty of the previous morning, Starlight wrapped her foreleg around Vapor’s barrel and pressed herself tightly to her back. It was much, much warmer together like this. She could feel the heat radiating off of Vapor.

Vapor started to move, scooting herself back and closing what distance there was left between them. Their bodies were now as close as possible. One of her forelegs came to rest on the hoof Starlight had wrapped around her chest. Her rear hoof curled around Starlight’s.

“Thanks, Starlight.” She whispered softly into the darkness. “Much better now.”

Starlight, surprised that Vapor was even awake, just nodded dumbly. Vapor’s head was nestled under the crook of her neck, meaning that Starlight’s muzzle was positioned just above her mane. Her nose was invaded by the sweet scents of Vapor and her shampoo. Starlight sniffed the overly pleasant smells and that earned a small giggle from Vapor.

Starlight curled herself around the other mare, squeezed her softly, and drifted back to sleep. Within minutes, both snored peacefully