That Bring Our Hearts Together
The hum of the sewing machine filled the room and a mare hummed along with it. Some ponies could listen to the ocean all day, others preferred natural sounds of birds and small critters, and a special few found comfort in the bustling of a city like Manehatten; but for Coco, the thrum and hum of a needle perfectly piercing and threading a piece of fabric was the most soothing thing in the world.
Or, rather, it was the second most soothing sound when the gentle turning of a page and steady breath of a mare she loved wasn’t there with her.
Coco’s head bobbed, dipped and swayed as she lost herself to the machine’s dull roar. She became a dancer when working, moving to the music only a few ears could hear, gently, gracefully, manipulating the fine fabric and watching her threaded creation come to life.
It was not always a long dance, nor was it always a short one, but it was one she enjoyed.
Her hoof eased off the pedal and the song softened, quieting until the room was still with the absence of noise. Coco held her breath, afraid of breaking the fragile air of her sewing room. Her heart thumped in her chest, but slowly, it too calmed and from her muzzle came the softest exhalation.
The dance was over for now.
She pulled on the fabric to separate it from the machine, a lovely dress suit of maroon, and cut the thread before placing it on a table and rechecking her measurements.
Her ears perked at a knock on the door, and she turned to face it before calling out, “Yes?”
It opened and her boss, Rarity, walked in, floating a package behind her and announcing delightfully, “Mail call~!”
Coco’s eyes widened and she had to restrain from jumping across her table to scramble at the poorly wrapped brown package. She only knew one pony who wrapped a box like that, and judging from the size of the box, she knew what was already inside.
Rarity chuckled and floated it over, “Careful Coco, I don’t think Moondancer would appreciate you breaking your neck over a simple package.”
Coco’s face exploded with a brilliant blush as she grabbed the parcel and held it against her chest, mouth opening enough to let out a series of squeaks and embarrassed mumbles.
Rarity sighed wistfully, “Oh, to be infatuated again, to feel my heart thunder at the mere mention of my beloved’s name and the blaze of heat on my cheeks at the thought of them.”
Coco’s lips quirked, “Of course, like you never swoon when Twilight sends a chariot to whisk you off to dinner.”
Rarity rolled her eyes with a giggle as a dainty blush warmed her cheeks, “Touche my dear, but it’s not a bad thing to be hopelessly in love.”
Coco nodded, looking down at the box in her hooves. “No, no it isn’t.”
Rarity chuckled again, “Well, I know a ‘I need to be alone’ smile when I see it. Have a good evening fantasizing darling, it’ll make her next visit all the sweeter.”
Before Coco could respond, Rarity retreated and closed the door.
Coco let out a soft huff but could do nothing to stop her smile. She could never be truly mad at Rarity after all, especially when she brought gifts like this.
Coco walked over to a table and with a sweep of her hoof cleared a spot. Then, reverently, she placed the package from Moondancer on it. She ran a hoof down the creases, haphazard pieces of tape sticking out everywhere.
She closed her eyes and envisioned Moodancer wrapping it, her tongue stuck out and brows furrowed deeply. She would grumble, curse even at the ‘infernal stickiness that is tape!’, but never would she truly lose her temper. No matter how infuriating the wrapping process was, she was always careful to not damage the goods inside.
Coco opened her eyes and began to carefully peel away the tape and paper, revealing a simple cardboard box. Inside the box, exactly as Coco expected, was a book.
The book’s case was weathered, lovingly worn down in spots and with fraying edges and yellowed pages. The title, written in what was possibly once a dazzling metallic gold paint, was rusty, faded, reading, ‘Fairy Tales of Olde’.
She opened the cover and, much like many times before, was a folded letter.
Dear Coco,
I hope you aren’t too discouraged with the shape of the book, I’ve had it since I was a foal and it’s been a comfort for me for a long time. Don’t worry about the juice stains or the ink drops on the pages; each one has a story and played a part in my life and I just can’t see getting rid of them.
Under the book should be enough cover to refurbish it, and I’ll be bringing the ink to rewrite the cover with me. It’s a very specific shade, sold only in one shop in Canterlot and I want to make sure it’s accurate. I’ll see you in a few days my dear.
Coco lifted the book out of the box and picked up the carefully folded cover material, nodding in satisfaction at the feel of it. It would be an easy refurbishing, like many books before it, but she would be sure to take her time and do it carefully.
She placed the book and material to the side, tossing the box over in her ‘trash’ corner to be taken out later, and returned to her sewing machine. Knowing Moondancer and her connection to this particular book, she would probably want to do it together.
Coco smiled at the thought, the two of them sitting together, working intently on something close to both of their hearts.
She let out a deep breath and started the machine, letting the musical hum fill her again. For now, she had another project to attend to, a fitting distraction for the sudden ache in her heart at the absence of her partner.
With a wistful sigh, she began to dance.
