The Strange Ponies

The moonlight danced across the narrow path of the forest softly, pale blue light covering the tender beauty of nature in a protective veil. Marble Pie let her tiny hooves carry her across the dew ridden grass much like a feather, her head held down in utter shame of the disaster that took place tonight.

The large red stallion walking behind her in deep thought, his dark green eyes watching the gentle sway of the mare's backside in pity. This night had been a huge mistake for both of them, Big Mac bit his lower lip roughly searching for the right words in his mind.

“Mmhmm.” Marble squeaked as she came to a stop at their final destination.

“Eeyup!” Mac nodded as his gaze landed upon a small old cabin deep within The Everfree.

The side was covered in dark violet vines outlined in thorns, the front overflowing with dust and debris of various forest creatures. The small two bedroom cabin felt chilled and icy, the touch of love far gone leaving it indifferent.

Marble had spoke that this cabin was an old trading post created by herself and Limestone Pie, though the family Rock Farm had never expanded enough to make use of it. Now it sat in silence within the forest patiently, waiting to be taken back by nature once more.

Mac knew this place was horrible to leave a delicate mare such as Marble alone, he quickly puffed his chest forward proudly walking to the mare.

“I can't leave you here alone at night.” His voice was strong and reassuring.

“Lime sent a telegram she will be here by morning, I'm used to being alone.” Marble spoke in the softest whisper, ears folding back as she tried to force open the front door.

Mac watched the tiny mare struggle before him, gentle whimpers echoed into the night sky as she fought so hard to hold back sobs. Taking a deep breath he pushed ahead behind the mare, lifting a mighty hoof he simply pressed the door open with utmost ease.

“I'm staying until your sister arrives.” He nudged the side of his friend with his muzzle, Marble sobbed loudly as she rushed inside shivering across her frail frame.

Mac knew this night would be a long one, walking within he noticed the cabin was in disarray beyond repair. He took time to clear off the coffee table and some counters, getting to work swiftly to start up the fireplace afterwards.

Marble could feel her tears burn her cheeks painfully, rushing into the bathroom at top speed she was quick to turn the tub faucet on to cover her sorrows. Curling up on the edge of the tub she cried, watching the water swirl down the drain in a whirlpool of melancholy emotions.

Hours Earlier.

“I just wanted to say Macintosh, I love you...I always have.” Marble blushed a bright pink hue, her monotone hair cascaded over her face shyly.

It had taken so long for her to utter those simple words to her dream stallion, but she planned this night just for them two. A sweet date between friends to the Farmer's Market followed by a picnic, leading to this one moment under a giant oak tree during sunset.

Marble could feel her tail swish in utmost excitement for his reply, her heart no longer cast in cold stone but alive with the wild rhythm of love. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light towards her stallion, his face that of shock and disbelief at his situation.

“I already have a special somepony…” His words shattering the heart of the mare before him.

She had no idea.

She had no words.

She had nopony.

She was utterly ashamed.

Present.

Marble let her tears roll into the clear warm water of the tub, the tiny wet mare soaking her sorrows in the gentle embrace of a long bath. She wished to be a unicorn at this moment, to teleport far away from this place and hide within the abyss.

Her heart was in more pieces that ever could be repaired, the shattered chips of her love turning to stone once again. She had to face her fate in life, she was destined to be alone forever.

Big Mac was in shock of the night to say the least, he knew Sugar Belle would understand completely and hold no resentments. But it was Marble that caused him worry, she had become so distant in such a short time.

Would she be able to move on and find her own happiness, or simply give up and wallow in a growing river of desolation? He drug his hooves across the wooden floor, connecting a nearby battery operated record player in the corner beside the fireplace.

Music would do them both well at this moment, perhaps give him a few ideas on stallion friends of his. If he gave it his all he knew he could find a stallion that was perfect, who wouldn't want a lovely, sweet and elegant mare to find love with?

Searching among the wall of dust covered books to his right, he spotted just one old record of Coloratura atop a faded magazine of Canterlot. He nipped it between his teeth carrying it to the player, soon the cabin was filled with a soft spoken song of love and loss while a dim orange glow radiated from the fireplace.

He had nothing much else to do but sigh aloud, galloping across the room in search of perhaps a bite to eat. The cupboards dusty and bare except for an ancient bottle of hard cider, flipping it onto the side to see it was branded by his farm before he chuckled.

He gently slid the bottle onto the filthy kitchen counter in silence, the damp hoofsteps of Marble suddenly echoed into the air behind him. Her coat moist and mane neatly washed clean, the mare taking dainty steps around the cabin to light multiple candles.

Soon the cabin radiated with calming orange light, the small cramped space became more cozy and welcoming. Both ponies slowly taking seats opposite of each other at the kitchen table, locking eyes after a few seconds as silence grew thicker between them.

“I'm perfectly fine.” She broke the lingering awkwardness with a delicate voice.

“I'm sorry about tonight Marble, I had no idea you felt such feelings…” He huffed in dismay.

“It's my fault, I should've asked if you were single to begin with.” Her eyes fell to the floor embarrassed.

“No, I should've told you from the beginning!” He placed a large hoof atop her tiny one.

“Why didn't you?” She batted long lashes towards the stallion innocently.

“I guess I saw you more like a sis…” A loud knock echoed across the room like thunder, both ponies jolting to attention as they gazed to the front door in shock.

“Is that?” A thunderous knock made the mare yelp softly in place.

“Who would be in The Everfree at like midnight?” Mac scrunched his muzzle before looking to the wall on his left, the small clock ticking silently reading 1:10 A.M.

The knocks would not cease just a continuous line of noise from behind the wooden frame, gathering his courage Mac stomped heavy hooves towards the door, swiftly he swung the door open to the abyss outside.

“Is Cozy Cloud here?” A soft shy voice of a unicorn spoke from the darkness, a mare wearing perhaps a jean jacket stood off in the shadows of the night.

Her mane in a high standing ponytail with bangs over her left eye, cast in a inky black hue of the night. It was hard to make out much other than her horn, the mare hidden away from the warm light within.

“Can't say she is?” Mac spoke in a confused tone of voice, taking a step towards the mare only to have her step backwards.

“....” She stood straight giving a hollow stare.

“If you're lost, you can come inside with my friend and I till morning.” Mac backed up inside offering entry into the cabin.

“...” She stood in silence never moving.

“Is everything alright?” Marble spoke in a soft whisper, walking up behind the stallion with a frightened yet curious gaze.

“...” The unicorn simply galloped off into the darkness, her hoofsteps quickly faded away into the distance.

“Hope she'll be fine…” Mac felt a chill run down his backside, gently clicking the door shut behind him.

Turning around he came to the view of Marble pouring two faded glasses of cider at the table, the stallion taking his seat before smirking towards the hostess of this drink. She let herself flash a cute smirk, tiny hooves picking up the glass before taking a large swig.

Mac was impressed at the large drink taken by the mare, he figured she was the delicate type to nurse a drink for a few hours instead. With a hearty chuckle he lifted his own glass to the sky, toasting his friend with a knowing wink before he slammed down the cider in one gulp.

Marble burst into a fit of melodic giggles at the sight before her, happily pouring them each another glass of cider from the large bottle. Her tail swished once more in a sense of excitement, she had thought things might be forever awkward from now on, yet he still was the same even now.

“Mmhmm!” She chugged her glass in one shot, wincing with the utmost adorable face afterwards.

“Eeyup!” Mac slammed a second glass, laughter soon filled the cabin joyously.