Tempest always avoided other ponies -- or creatures in general. For years, she kept the mindset that if she got close to anyone, she'd be vulnerable. Be caught in the open. But on a snowy night in winter, alone with her thoughts in her room, Tempest begins to reflect on this.

Well, more like her subconscious forces her to talk about it via a lecture Twilight Sparkle would be proud of.

Written for Sane Marbles for Jinglemas 2021

Update 12/25/22: Now has a reading by Flutterpaws!