Spirits. That’s what Princess Twilight spent a full hour rambling about to Mark. Still, he found a lot of what she mentioned to be quite fascinating. Of course in all of his life, he never saw anything like a ghost or spirit. Still, he knew there was far more to the world than what you see alone. Besides, Equestria was home to so many unique species and magical and mythical beings, it didn’t seem so farfetched that spirits could really exist. But why they could or would want to enter the world at this time of year was anyone’s guess.

As the human walked across the fresh layer of winter snow, he turned his eyes to the clearing sky. The moon hung above beaming its soothing light and was accompanied with a myriad of twinkling stars. Mark kept his eyes aloft for a few more seconds, then checking on his bags, continued on his way home. Now that winter had begun, there was less than five days till Hearth’s Warming. At last he could breathe a sigh of relief. The two bags he was carrying had the last of the gifts he needed to complete his shopping.

After a good five-minute walk from the marketplace, he arrived at his roomy Ponyville residence. Work in the services of a princess had its perks along with a generous salary. Though, for whatever reason, the sky drew Mark’s eyes back to it. He blinked his brown eyes as he marveled at the vista sprawling before him. He’d only been living in Equestria for about a year and a half now. Before coming here, it was rare he could find such starry night skies on Earth. Well, at least in the area he lived.

He panned his head around and caught the sight of a particularly bright star. “Wow, I wonder if that’s a planet or maybe one of the stars I heard Twilight talk about. Hmm, if I see it tomorrow night, I’ll have to ask her.”

Mark chuckled as he unlocked his front door and stepped in out of the cold. He placed his bags on a nearby chair, then turned to close and lock his door. He turned on a few lamps and bumped up the furnace. It wasn’t too cold inside his house, but there was a distinct nip in the air. Though it didn’t make his nose twitch like the outside air had.

He saw to plugging in his Hearth’s Warming tree. The lights lit up and added their colorful mesh to the living room. It made the human smile as he saw the pile of gifts he had under the tree. While he wouldn’t really be hosting anypony at his place, he would be taking these gifts to his friends in just a few short days.

He turned to the bags. One had gifts and the other had mostly groceries. He saw to putting his provisions away and cast out a sigh. His home was warm, but still felt somewhat cold and empty. Despite the fact that his friends would each be getting him thoughtful gifts, there was one present he really longed for, but had a sad feeling he wouldn’t get.

He took a seat on his roomy and plush sofa. Mark let out a sigh as he almost wished he had someone to come home to. But, he just hadn’t had much luck finding a special somepony. That’s not to say he didn’t have his share of memorable dates and short relationships with several different mares. Many even led to romantic and playful sexual encounters, yet, none of the mares ever seemed to stay.

Mark pushed up his glasses and looked at his tree. It made him smile as he smacked his lips and noticed his mouth was parched. He tore himself from the couch and lumbered into the kitchen. Overall mark was of an average build for a human and just a bit on the pudgy side. Thankfully, since he started working for the Princess of Friendship he did notice all the running around was beginning to pay off.

Arriving in the kitchen, Mark just decided on a glass of cold water. He didn’t want to drink anything overly sweet or caffeinated this close to bedtime. Mark took a long sip from his glass and enjoyed the cooling sensation as the water ran down his dry throat. “Ahh.”

He made his way back to the living room. Reaching over, he turned off the lamps he had lit. Now, only the tree’s lights were illuminating the room as he parked his butt back on the sofa. “That’s better.” Mark took another long swig from his glass.

Staring at the colorful lights on his tree, Mark just spaced out a little. Best he could figure regarding his joke of a love life. The mares he had been with were simply discovering whether or not they had an appetite for human lovers. Once they made up their minds, they decided to move on and sample others. Well, it was what he concluded anyway. At least he had hope in Equestria. The mares here seemed far more approachable and less judgmental than females of his own kind did back on Earth. All Mark could guess was that something about him was less than desirable, maybe it was his personality.

He shrugged his shoulders as he downed the last of his water and set the glass on a nearby end table. His eyes began to feel heavy as he just managed to make out the face of his clock. “Already after eleven. Yeah.” Mark yawned as he reached for some of the comfy throw pillows. He made a neat pile of them along the one end of the sofa, then lied on his side, pressing his back against the sofa’s back.

A smile formed on his face as he gazed out at the decorated tree. Just like Christmas trees on Earth, Mark found his Hearth’s Warming tree soothing and relaxing to look at. It stood there with its lights, festive decorations and even candy canes. The tree also filled the room with its delightful pine scent.

Mark’s eyes began to grow heavier and while he turned up his furnace, he didn’t crank it too much. A slight chill crossed his body. He reached up and grabbed the blanket draped on the back of the couch and made a poor attempt to cover himself. Removing his glasses, Mark set them on the end table with his glass, then let his head sink into the pillows. Rest was all he needed and tomorrow, he could wrap the remaining gifts. Besides, there was always the chance one of his friends could introduce him to a new mare. A brief smile formed on his face, before it fell as he nodded off.

* * * * * * *

Mark’s home sat quietly through the night. The stars continued to shine overhead. One in particular continued to glow. It was the one he thought might be a planet, but in fact, it wasn’t a planet at all.

The star continued to glow and in moments began to move. It descended from the heavens and slowly flittered down from the night sky. A foggy mist began rolling in across the fallen snow. The wispy blue star continued trailing along the ground. It moved in almost a random manner, at first, then is started hovering. It glided across the ground, almost like it was in search of something.

It zeroed in on Mark’s house. Something seemed to be calling to it as it flew through the night mists. The wisp landed on the far side of Mark’s house. It’s glow lit up the snowy ground but quickly faded as its form began to change. Like the fog around it, the wisp turned into an ethereal mist and passed through the walls of Mark’s dwelling.

It still gave off a faint glow as it emerged in the human’s kitchen. Slowly, its form began to change, again. The streams of mist collected and rolled into a barrel. Then, four distinct legs formed each one with a hoof. A neck was the next part to form, followed by a head with a graceful muzzle. Lastly, a flowing mass of mist served as its mane and an elegant streaming tail trailed from its flanks. A pair of blue eyes glowed softly as it began to take a few steps. The way it moved was almost like it was learning to walk for the first time.

The ethereal being held up a ghostly hoof and blinked its eyes. It opened and closed its mouth. “H-h-hello?” It spoke in a quiet whispering echo.

Mark was still sound asleep on his couch and had no idea anything was going on in his kitchen. He reached out and pulled up the blanket. Muttering within his slumber he let out a quiet breath and remained asleep.

The wisp, which now had the look of an Earth pony, continued to walk around the kitchen. It blinked curiously as it examined its surroundings with a childlike fascination. It turned toward the kitchen table and found it could pass through it. Though, as it made its way across, it bumped into a small decorative vase filled with flowers. They fell over and spilled. Water poured out and ran onto the floor.

The sound spooked the wisp pony and made her move away from the table and seek refuge behind the refrigerator, along the walkway to the laundry area. She trembled and the edges of her body trailed with misty strings. Turning her gaze toward the rest of the house, she gave a listen. But there were no signs of life.

Curiosity gripped her as she emerged from her hiding place. Looking around, she caught the sight of a colorful glow. She wondered if it was a prism. “Colors.” She spoke in a sweet echoing voice. The wisp pony made her way into the living room. She marveled at the tree and its coating of lights. As she contemplated its purpose, she heard a groan from the sofa. Her eyes widened as she saw the human stir, though she had no idea what he was.

She made her way to the other side of the tree. Standing there, she paused and gave a listen. Cautiously, she peaked around the tree. The creature was still asleep. She looked closely at it and briefly noticed an odd wave of pale magenta light radiating from it. Puckering her mouth she looked at the creature curiously. Her mouth opened again as she attempted to speak. “H-h-hello?” Her voice was clearer and not nearly as echoey this time.

“Huh?” Mark mumbled as he started to stir. He opened his eyes and looked over at the tree. There was nothing there. “Hello?” Mark slowly threw back the cover and sat up. “Is, someone or somepony there?” He put on his glasses, then ran a hand through his dark brown hair.

“I am.” The wisp pony replied as she stepped out from behind the tree.

Mark’s eyes widened as he saw her. Giving her a solid look, he could swear he could see partially through her and she seemed to be giving off a pale blue almost white glow. “What?” Mark pulled back and shook his head. “I’m not seeing this.” He wasn’t sure if he was awake or dreaming, but regardless, there seemed to be a spirit or ghost of some kind in his living room.

He rose to his feet and was glad he hadn’t managed to kick off his shoes yet. Though, the wisp pony just stood there. She cocked her head to the side and gave him a puzzled look. “Why are you scared?”

Part of Mark still wanted to run, not that he was sure where he could run or if he even could outrun a ghost. What made him stay put was the tone of its voice. From ghost stories he heard and shared in the past, ghosts or spirits that intend harm don’t usually speak gingerly. Of course it might be a ploy.

Shaking his head, Mark finally spoke, “Who or what are you?”

“You are scared…I, I am sorry.” She lowered her head in contrition.

“No, it’s okay. Are you a ghost…spirit…something?” Mark stood there a little more at ease.

“Yes…wisp.” She made eye contact with him.

Mark’s eyes widened for a moment and his head felt funny for just a second. “Whoa.” He held his hand over his face.

“I, I see. Yes.” She spoke a little softer and with even less of an echo. Her body glowed briefly and her form changed a little, but still had a very ethereal quality.

Mark looked at her again. “Whoa. You changed.” He took a few timid steps toward her and gave her a thorough look. She was still the same pale blue almost white color, but her mane and tail were now a flowing electric blue. Her eyes were a very pale shade of green and seemed to be glowing. Her face had softened and she looked like a semi-transparent pony now. His eyes were drawn to her flank where he could make out what looked like a cutie mark. “Huh, a thin cloud over a bell?” Mark blinked.

She took a few cautious steps of her own over to him. “Greetings.”

“Uh, hi.” Mark placed a hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. “I’m Mark.”

The wisp pony nodded her head. “Hello, Mark. I am, Mistybelle.”

“Mistybelle. Wow.” He blinked at her. “That’s a pretty name for…uh, what are you exactly?”

“I’m a wisp pony.” Mistybelle smiled.

Mark swallowed hard; he was still trying to make sense out of all of this. Mostly he figured he must have been dreaming. “Is that like a ghost or spirit?”

“Yes, more or less. And what are you, Mark? You aren’t a pony.” She looked him over curiously.

Mark placed a hand on his chest. “Me? Oh, I’m a human. My kind is, sort of somewhat new to Equestria. Yeah. Do you understand where you are?” He blinked.

Mistybelle nodded, offering Mark a sweet and welcoming look. “Yes, I’m in your home. When we made eye contact, I touched your mind.” She briefly lowered her head. “Please forgive the intrusion, but I wanted a chance to know where I was and to make communicating with you less…intimidating.” She turned her head, her mane fluttered around along the back of her head. It reminded Mark of the princesses Luna and Celestia.

“That’s okay, I guess. It’s not like you meant any harm…right?” He smiled nervously, doing an internal facepalm. He was hoping he wasn’t making too bad of a first impression on this spirit.

The sweet look remained on her face. “No. I was merely curious. In fact that’s why I came down here.”

“You came here because you were curious…about my home…this place?” He looked around and then back to her. “But, why me?” His mouth hung open and a dumbfounded look was on his face.

She smiled again. “Because, you looked up at me. And I’d never seen anyone like you before.” Mistybelle continued to look his way.

“I looked up at you?” He gave her a puzzled look, then his mouth dropped open. “Wait…were you in the sky…like a star?”

She smiled and nodded. “Yes. Spirits, or wisps can often be mistaken for stars when we drift high enough in the night sky.”

“But, why were you out tonight? I’m still a little confused.” Mark sat back down on the sofa and blinked.

Mistybelle giggled as she walked more calmly toward him. “So full of questions. I see you’re just as curious as I am.” Her smile grew. “Well, this is the time of year when the veil between the world of spirits and your world thins to the point that we can cross over. Many of my kind like to visit your world each year.”

Mark looked at her with due fascination. “Wow, it’s just like Twilight was telling me earlier tonight. But why do you spirits cross over?”

Mistybelle shrugged her shoulders. “Eh, I can’t speak for other spirits, but I find your world quite fascinating. And the window is only open for…how would you say it? A few weeks, yes. From just before the day you call ‘Hearth’s Warming’ till a few days after the New Year begins. And there is so much to see in this world. It’s hardly enough time.”

He smiled and nodded. “Wow. So curious, huh? But, just because I looked up at you?” Mark gave her fascinated look.

She swayed her head. “Well, not just curious. I sensed loneliness in you and a strong longing or yearning if you will.”

“From all the way up in the sky, just from my looking up at you, you sensed all that?” She nodded and his face filled with intrigue. “Wow, that’s incredible.”

“I guess it could seem that way. You’re one of the few individuals that I’ve ever come down and spoken to.”

Mark’s eyes slanted and he tilted his head. “One of the few…because I’m lonely?”

“Well, I can leave if I’m being a bother.” Mistybelle looked to the ceiling and the sky.

Mark held up a hand. “No, that’s okay. You don’t have to go, you aren’t bothering me.” He pushed up his glasses.

She looked back his way. “There isn’t much I can do, but I thought maybe I could help if I paid you a visit.”

“Well.” Mark smiled at her. “It’s nice to have someone else here. And even though you're a wisp pony, I don’t feel as alone, now that you’re here. But, don’t you have more important things to do?”

“To do?” She asked placing a ghostly hoof to her chin.

“Well, what do spirits do?” He held up a hand and gave her yet another intrigued look.

“We ‘do’ a variety of things. But mostly we just watch from afar. Sometimes we can help to influence and offer advice or wisdom.” Mistybelle sighed. “It can be somewhat isolating. Not all spirits enjoy hanging out together. And there are so many places in the universe a spirit can travel.”

“Wow, I hadn’t thought about that.” Mark paused and recalled what she just said. “Wait, you said it can be ‘isolating’, right?” She nodded. “Then, could my loneliness have drawn you here.” He looked her over. “Because, you’re also lonely?”

She shyly held up a hoof. “Oh, well, I hadn’t thought about that. I mean I wouldn’t say I’m…then again.” Mistybelle turned her head to the side. “I have felt lonely more than once.”

Mark sat there lost in thought. He was still trying to wrap his head around all of this, let alone know how a lonely human and a lonely wisp pony could really do anything about their combined loneliness. Then, he cast out a yawn. Mark was still tired and glancing up at the clock, confirmed it. “Wow, I was only asleep for a little over an hour when you arrived. It’s almost one.”

She followed Mark’s eyes to the clock. “Oh, the clock…time. Right, time doesn’t hold the same meaning to spirits, as it does to mortals like you.”

“Yeah.” Mark yawned again. “Oh and I’m still sleepy…especially now that I know you’re a friendly spirit.”

Mistybelle giggled again. “Yes. Did you want to go back to sleep?”

He nodded weakly. “Yeah, but what about you, do spirits sleep?”

The warm look remained on her face as she stood beside him. She partially closed her eyes. “Spirits or wisp ponies like me don’t exactly sleep. However, we do go into a dormant or rest state. We do this to contemplate a great many things, mostly from our encounters. The form of rest we take also allows us to replenish spiritual energy from the ether or air if you will.”

“Wait.” Mark rubbed his eyes. “You have spiritual energy? For what?”

“A variety of things, because even we have limits. We exert energy when we interact with mortals, use any of our abilities or travel great distances. That’s why we go dormant from time to time.”

“Do you need to go dormant now?” He asked as he rose from the sofa and enjoyed a good stretch.

“Well, not really. Hmm.” She placed a hoof to her chin. “You rest in your room, right?” Mark nodded. “I could stay in your room and keep you company or at least keep watch over you as you sleep.”

Mark swayed his head a little then nodded a few times. “Yeah, that would work. But, you’re sure it wouldn’t be any trouble?”

Mistybelle went to place a hoof on his hand, but it passed right through. A pale red glow encompassed her cheeks. “Sorry, I forget we can’t physically touch mortals.”

He shook his head. “That’s okay. Um, my room is this way.” Mark slowly made his way over to the hallway and lumbered back to his room.

Mistybelle followed him, stepping gingerly as she looked around. “Your home is rather big.”

“Yeah. There’s even a few rooms upstairs, but I like to sleep down here.” He chuckled as he made his way inside. Mark kicked off his shoes and removed his long sleeves and went to take off his pants. He paused after unbuttoning and unzipping them, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Mistybelle was a spirit, so no reason to be bashful. Besides, he had boxers on underneath.

Mark turned down the covers and crawled into bed, while Mistybelle explored his bedroom. “This is a bedroom, very interesting. I’ve seen rooms like this before, but this one seems different somehow. Maybe it’s because of interacting with you.”

“Could be. You gonna…b-be okay?” He glanced her way, then removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand.

She smiled. “I’ll be fine. You should rest. This is one night you won’t have to worry. I’ll keep a look out for any trouble. But, I don’t sense any other spirits or hostile beings nearby. So close your eyes…and sleep.” Mistybelle just looked at him and kept smiling.

Mark nodded. “All right. Night, Mistybelle, see you in the m-mor-morning.” He pulled up the covers. But, instead of letting himself fall asleep, he looked back over at her. Mistybelle was just standing there along the foot end of his bed. Mark reached over and patted the empty side of his large bed. “You can lie down over here. I’m sure spirits or wisp ponies don’t need to sit per say, but you’d use less energy this way.”

Mistybelle lightly nodded her head and walked over to the empty side of his bed. “I suppose this will work, unlike when I tried to pat your arm.” She placed a hoof along the bed, at first it went through. Then, she tried again and was able to lie down. “Ah, it did work.”

Mark smiled her way. “Good. Now, I’ll see you later.” He chuckled as he adjusted the covers and left his head rest on his pillows.

Mark grew silent for a moment after he fell asleep. It gave Mistybelle a bit of a start. Then, he began to breathe calmly and she nodded her head. “Of course. Silly.” She whispered to herself. Thanks to briefly touching his mind, Mistybelle had no problem communicating or speaking and she had a rough idea about his home, plus a few bits of his memory had leaked out as well. It gave her enough of an idea to make her wonder what he dreams about. Still, she didn’t want to be rude, so she just lied her head down and decided it might be good to go dormant for just a little. There was no sign of any trouble and she would sense anything before it could draw close enough to be a threat.

* * * * * * *

Mistybelle opened her eyes. She panned her head around Mark’s room and saw nothing but darkness. His bedroom door was open and there was just a hint of the tree’s light visible in the hallway. Her focus returned to Mark as she looked beside her. He was still resting soundly.

She turned her head to the side. By now, he must be dreaming. Mistybelle looked around, then back to Mark. It wouldn’t hurt if I take a little peak, would it? Once again, curiosity got the best of her. Just like it influenced her decision to come down and meet Mark, it now fueled her desire to sample a glimpse of his dreams.

Her head drifted back as she channeled some of her spiritual energy. She reached out a hoof and placed it deftly against his head. While she used eye contact to touch is mind before, there was more than one way to make a mental connection to him. Her hoof rested there as images began to flood her mind, mostly a jumble at first. Then, as they began to coalesce, her mouth lightly fell open. Then after just a few minutes, a warm smile formed on her face, until she softly gasped. Her cheeks turned red, but the smile remained and actually changed to more of a contented one, while a somewhat smug look formed on her face.

Mark slept on as she enjoyed just a little more of his dreams. Then, finally, she removed her hoof. Who would have guessed? No wonder he’s lonely, yet he still seems so full of love and desire even though he’s had trouble finding a companion. Mistybelle sighed softly as she lay her head back down and closed her eyes again. She needed time to make sense of his dreams; then maybe she could offer him some advice.

Her eyes opened again. Oddly enough, she felt a cool sensation in his room and noticed Mark hunker down further under his covers. Mistybelle smiled as she moved closer to him. Her spiritual energy gave off a gentle heat. One she hoped might help keep him warm. She reached out to gently pat his shoulder with her ghostly hoof, only, this time it didn’t go through him. Mistybelle felt the oddest sensation, but after going to tap his shoulder again, her hoof passed through. She blinked her eyes and then lied there beside him as she joined him in rest, all the while unaware that her back was pressed up against his and not going through it.

Author's Note

In case any of you would like an idea of what Mistybelle's voice sounds like, check out the video below. Listen closely to the Pegasus pony Star Catcher. Her voice is what I had in mind.