Strawberry galloped towards the town hall, Sunshine Dancer flew at pace beside her, "How long has the meeting been going on for Sunshine?" asked Strawberry between hurried breaths. Snow was fluttering downward from the sky in a languid and unhurried manner, it was melting the moment it hit the ground. Small splashes echoed through the empty main strip as Strawberry's hooves stuck the cobble stone with haste.

"Oh umm.. I only heard about it a few minutes ago, I came right to you when Summer told me," Sunshine answered with an anxious tremulous tone.

"Bucking Apples!" Strawberry cursed. "What makes Aurora Frost think she can decide on her own authority to hold a meeting like this. I mean I know her marefriend is having a hard time. But to blame it on Katie? to hold a whole bucking town hall meeting, and conveniently not mention it to me. Of all the conniving and underhooved things to do!" Strawberry put her head forward and gave it her all.

It had been several days since the conversation in the kitchen, and just when things were starting to look like they were quieting down, Rocky had moved in, Katie was recovering from the attack, and was giving real consideration to being in their herd. Sunshine Dancer showed up at her door out of breath and scared. She stumbled out what was happening, kind of. Something about a meeting, Katie being kicked out of Hay River, it having to do with the visions cast out from the Cafe. Strawberry left Rocky and Katie behind, telling Rocky to look after the girl and to make sure she doesn't leave the house.

Strawberry reached the town hall building, opening the door a sliver she slipped into the room. It was filled with ponies of many hues and sizes, Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth ponies scattered around, some were sitting in chairs, others were standing, and a few lazily flapped in the air hovering above the crowd. All of them were looking at a dark blue unicorn who's cutie mark was a fur tree covered in snow, she stood up on the stage at a lectern speaking. A few ponies turned to look at Strawberry as she entered, a few had the decency to be somewhat ashamed and turned away quickly.

"The human shouldn't be here, how did she get here? What is she here for? My mare friend says they kill, she saw and hasn't been the same. We don't even know who this filly is. Has she talked to any of you? Has she tried to integrate herself into our town? We agreed to help her, when she arrived, but that was only temporary, it has been long enough! How many of you saw awful things, this human I tell you is disturbing harmony, she is poisoning our town." The last line snapped Strawberry out of the shock induced frozen state she was in when entering, she could no longer keep silent.

"Aurora Frost! you should be ashamed of yourself!" she cried from the back of the room. The whole room turned to look at her, Strawberry was shaking from fear and adrenaline.

"Oh Strawberry you managed to make it," Aurora answered causticly.

Strawberry puffed herself up raising her head aggressively. "I managed in spite not being told about it. Which I find remarkable as I am the pony who has the most experience with this human. You'd think if this assembly was being conducted in a transparent and honest way that would have been addressed." Strawberry began walking towards the front of the room alone down the empty middle aisle, there were whispers and hushes on all sides. She focused her attention on Aurora, who was beginning to look a bit unsettled. Strawberry climbed onto the stage and sat down.

"I will let Aurora finish, then I am going to speak. As the harmony pony of this town, it is only proper," she spoke to the crowd in a quite and determined voice. Strawberry looked to the dark blue mare, "you may continue." Strawberry knew the game, and knew it well, in doing what she did it gave the impression she was running the meeting and was giving Aurora permission to speak at it. Aurora Frost frowned deeply at her and turned back to the crowd of ponies who looked deeply unsettled, it was as if a spell had been broken.

"So as I was saying, we should send this human home, or to Canterlot to the princesses. She is infecting this town with her visions of hate, and violence. I think it is time we do what needs to be done to bring harmony back to Hay River." Aurora's voice was not as strong and not as confident as it was before. The crowd too looked less convinced and some would not even look up at the stage, there was sparse stomping sounds of approval.

Strawberry looked to the mare, Aurora stepped aside inviting her to the lectern. Strawberry grabbed a small glass of water with her front hooves and took a drink. She rose up from the sitting position and made her way to address the crowd trying not to shake doing so. Strawberry hated speaking to crowds, she found it difficult. But in this instance she was propelled by such feelings of annoyance, anger, and genuine disappointment she was prepared to berate the whole town if she had to.

"You know every filly and colt finds their way in harmony. How they do so is up to them, and that is ok. Some ponies though they would presume to carry it all, not only their's but other's too, so much so they would say to a crowd of ponies, I am the mouth piece of harmony itself, and that fillies and gentlecolts is not ok." Strawberry looked right at Aurora Frost. "You know what I think?" she paused a moment to collect her thoughts. "I think the only pony spreading visions of hate and violence is in this room." There was a collective intake of breath. "Harmony is not this passive force that acts on ponies and we must sacrifice our elements to it in order to pacify it. Harmony is what we as ponies make of it. Tell me has Katie hurt a single pony? Has she shown any aggression?" Strawberry looked around the room daring a pony to contradict her.

"Ponies sing at the cafe all the time, and we see all manner things all the time while there. Why should we as a community judge this filly for doing what we all have done at one time or another? What is the difference between someone mourning the loss of a granny and her memories, it is only a matter of form not substance. They are upsetting, they are unnerving, and they are foreign, but that is the point isn't it, she's not from here. Do you remember the first time a griffon sang at the cafe? It was exciting, the whole town tried to cram itself in to hear, we talked about it for months everypony wanted to hear from those lucky few that were there. What has changed? Oh you didn't like what you saw? Did it occur to you that perhaps that little filly doesn't like it either? Or are we all to busy judging how best to be rid of creature that makes us a little uncomfortable to restore harmony. The very point of harmony is to work together, to work with what we have. If we get in the habit of rejecting any pony or creature that is a little off key what do we get, one sad sorry note," Strawberry paused catching her breath.

"I'm sorry, but I am disappointed in all of you here tonight. Katie is not going to go unless she wants to, we are not going to be kicking her out, and I swear to Celestia if you try I will fight you all the way. I would expect no less from any other pony in this room, for any other creature of this town. You know why, I strive for harmony, not a single sad sorry note. Good night."

Strawberry stepped down from the lectern and down from the stage. Trotting past Aurora dusk she flicked her tail in dismissiveness. Moving for the door, ignoring all the voices, she held her muzzle high and did not look back. Sunshine Dancer was standing at the door having listened to the speech she opened it for her friend, and followed her out into the chilly evening air. Strawberry trotted away from the building and around a corner where she stopped and let out a huge breath. It bellowed out in front of her like smoke from the cold, she started to shake. Sunshine Dancer landed beside and rested a wing along her friends back.

"You ok Strawberry?"

"Yeah, I think I bucked up Sunshine," Strawberry replied

"Nah," the yellow pegsus giggled a little from nervousness. "You did right Strawberry, you should have seen Aurora's face."

"Do you think they were going to?" Strawberry asked quietly, as they both began to walk together. Sunshine kept her wing draped across her friend.

"No, I think most of the ponies in that room were humouring her."

Dear Flowy,

I managed to find one contact in the list you sent me, but sadly he was not able to give me any useful help or information. So I guess we are going to have to figure it out, as it happens. I really appreciated your kind words, things here are getting kind of crazy, I hope this is a sign of stuff settling down. What? A mare can dream can't she?

Oh I have some happy news, Rocky White and I are herding together! I haven't told my mother yet, so don't say anything if you happen to see her. I will tell her soon. I promise. Katie is reluctant to take part, and has back slid a little but I expected that given the things that have been happening. The town has been both supportive and infuriatingly closed minded about some things. I've been trying to keep that from the filly, but I can't protect her from it forever. I'm just hoping to do so long enough to get her settled. I want her to feel accepted enough for her to know she belongs, and that the ponies who say otherwise are fossilized Windagos not worthy of consideration. But I will keep trotting on, what was the saying of one of the founding harmony ponies of Hay River. Take things pleasantly and when Discord empties his chamberpot on your head —Smile and say ‘Well perhaps we will have scheduled a summer shower.’

Rocky, Katie and I will be in Vanhoover next week. Katie needs a proper wardrobe and has asked both of us to take her. I don't know if any business takes you in that direction at that time, I'd love to see you.

Much love
Strawberry Dusk

Author's Note

The actual quote is this;

“Take things pleasantly and when fortune empties her chamberpot on your head —Smile and say ‘We are going to have a summer shower.’

I ran across it reading a biography of Sir John A Macdonald and I found it so humous as I felt I needed to take it, change it, and slip it in. I have strong opinions about certain kinds of behaviours, both politically and personally. I respect no pony who would impose their story and beliefs onto others. Wether it be through gas lighting or political manoeuvring. The trick I feel is to see it when it happens, language is difficult and ephemeral. Many hide the bullying behind minutia and it takes significant work to step outside yourself to understand what you see. Especially if the topic doesn't effect you, or it relates to others whom you have no connection with. Do not give bullies respect, wether they be bosses, politicians, family, or 'friends.' The more you capitulate the more they take.