The snow was starting to clear from Maretime Bay by the time Misty managed to make it back again, and Wishyhoof was well and truly done at this point, so things were starting to go back to normal. The ponies living in the Crystal Brighthouse were back to spending their days outside doing fun things, and Misty…
Well. Misty was back to hiding around alleyways watching them for Opaline. She wasn’t allowed to do anything else unless the alicorn told her to, so instead she had to watch them having fun on their own. Watching as they went to a hot cocoa stand, as Hitch broke off from the group once they reached the sheriff’s office, as Pipp got accosted by her fans and Sunny, Zipp and Izzy went off without them to… who knows where.
It seemed like they always had so much fun… she wished she could spend more time with that group, but Opaline had told her to stop wasting time with them, and there was no way she could risk her cutie mark on something like that. Not to mention Zipp seemed pretty suspicious of her now…
She looked back around the corner again, just in time to watch Zipp and Sunny head back towards the Crystal Brighthouse. Seemed like it was business as usual; she'd probably have to report back to Opaline soon, and then she'd have to try and figure out how to get a hold of Sparky again, even though Hitch was always watching the little dragon. And if it wasn't Hitch, it was Izzy…
… Wait. Where was Izzy? She'd just been with Sunny and Zipp but when the two had headed back, Izzy had disappeared. Misty champed her hooves, panicking a little; she had to keep track of all of the main group or Opaline would be mad with her! She rushed around a corner to try and find her missing unicorn, only to run face first into another pony.
Misty fell on her haunches, rubbing her aching muzzle. Standing up quickly, she turned to the pony she'd just knocked over to give a hoof up. "I'm so sorry, I–" Her apology was cut short as she realized just who she had run into. "I-Izzy?!!"
Izzy glanced over, her eyes lighting up in recognition. "Misty?!!" she exclaimed excitedly, quickly getting up and prancing around the other unicorn before leaning in close to her face with an excited grin. "Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you around in forever!! I was worried you might be avoiding us or something."
“Haha… Yeah…” Misty gave a forced smile, avoiding making eye contact. “I’ve just been… ummm… really busy!!” It wasn’t technically a lie, after all.
“Ah yeah, I get that,” Izzy replied, waving a hoof and rolling her eyes. “You plan one trip to Maretime Bay and then suddenly it leads to a bunch of other stuff and now you’re travelling all over Equestria!!”
Misty blinked and tilted her head in confusion. “Um… okay…?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it!! I’m sure you get it!!” Izzy said, laughing and waving a hoof as Misty’s expression grew even more confused. “You live in Bridlewood, right? Did you see the crazy blizzard over Winter Wishday??”
“Oh!! Uh, yeah!!” Misty replied. Fortunately that was something she did actually know about Bridlewood, for once. That blizzard had even reached Opaline’s castle. “Really wild, huh?”
“Oh you betcha!! I had to run all over telling the unicorns to change their holiday greetings!! Apparently ‘frosty wishes’ is a spell, can you believe it?!’” Izzy paused, tapping a hoof. “I must’ve missed you, though. I’m sure I would’ve remembered seeing one of my friends there!”
Misty paled, laughing nervously. “I was uh… away??” She winced at the anticipated question, hoping against hope that Izzy would just believe her. Why am I so bad at lying?!
“Yup, makes sense!!” Izzy nodded as Misty sighed a breath of relief. Just as quickly, Izzy’s smile was replaced with concern. “I don’t suppose you’re here for very long, huh? Otherwise you would’ve said hi sooner!”
“Uhh… yeah!!” Misty replied quickly, seeing a chance to make a clean getaway. “I gotta head home… chores to do, you know…” Like going back to spying on you…
“Oh. Okay,” Izzy said, somewhat disappointed, before her face lit back up again and Misty got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. “That’s perfect, actually!! I needed to head to Bridlewood myself to pick up supplies anyway, so we can go together!!”
Misty froze, looking nervous. “Um… uh…”
—
Why did I do this?!! Misty thought to herself for the hundredth time, the distant shadow of the trees of Bridlewood loomed ever larger in the distance and the unicorn who she’d for some reason agreed could come with her hummed along by her side. This was a terrible idea; Izzy thought she was from Bridlewood!! And now they were going there, and nobody would know her, and then Izzy would know and she'd tell the others and–
Her train of thought was broken as a hoof was waved in front of her face. “Helloooooo!! Earth to Misty!!!” she said. “Did you hear what I just asked you?”
"Y-Yes!? No?? Sorry!!" Misty squeaked, her ears tucking back.
Izzy giggled. “I was asking if you had time to make a quick stop with me before you headed off!! Since we’re coming close to my house soon.”
Misty hesitated. She shouldn’t, but… this would be a good opportunity to get to know Izzy better. Surely she could tell Opaline it was for research??
"I think I can make some time," she said, fiddling with her bangs.
"Really?!" Izzy's face lit up. "Then follow me!! My old house is just ahead!!"
Misty practically had to run to keep up with the other unicorn, who was prancing and humming her way through the thick underbrush. Just as Misty was wondering how spooky their destination would be, the canopy cleared, letting in warm rays of sunlight. In front of them was a massive willow tree, its trunk painted with different colors and a handful of dark windows peeking through the cracks of the branches. The bright colors seemed to glow in the mottled forest light, and Misty stopped walking for a moment to breathe it in, before anxiously following Izzy.
Izzy led the way into the door nestled among the tree's roots, and Misty's jaw dropped at what she saw inside. Everything was lit by wide windows letting the sunlight fill the space, and every way she looked was full of beautiful art.
"You used to live here?" Misty asked, brushing her mane out of her eyes and lifting her head up.
"Yeaa, it's pretty spiffy, ain't it?" Izzy said, brushing her hoof over a series of bells and listening to them. "I made all the stuff you see here myself!!"
Misty took a closer look at one of the canvases, squinting through a pile of glitter and macaroni. Yeah this definitely matched Izzy, alright. "That's neat, I guess. What did you have to pick up here, anyway?"
"Ooh, thank you for reminding me!!" Izzy said, running up to the second floor. "Wait right here!!"
Misty's face only grew more confused, but she sat down anyway. Why would she need Misty to wait for this…?
"Found it!!" Izzy's voice could be heard muffled behind the curtains, and before long she was skipping down the stairs before coming to a halt right in front of Misty. "I know it's a bit late, but Happy Winter Wishday!!"
With a flourish, she passed Misty a small box decorated in glitter, with a small bow on top. Misty took the box cautiously, opening it slowly to reveal a small bracelet decorated with jewels. "What is this?"
"It's a friendship bracelet!!" Izzy said, showing the one she had around her own wrist. "When I was a filly, I always wanted one, so I learned how to make them." She looked away, rubbing the back of her head. "I know that things didn't go… super great at the sleepover, but I wanted you to know you're my friend!! No matter what."
Misty didn't respond at first; she just stared. Tears started to well up in her eyes, falling onto the gift and causing the gems on the bracelet to shine.
"Misty??" Izzy asked, looking worried. "Do you not like it? It's okay if you don't, I just–"
"No!!" Misty said, shaking her hoof anxiously. "No, I– I just…" she hugged the box close to her chest. "Nobody's ever given me a gift like this before."
"So you do like it?" Izzy's eyes lit up, and she leaned in close to the other pony.
Misty nodded, beaming. "Mmhmm. Thank you!!"
"Warm Wishyhoof, Misty!!" Izzy gave her a brief hug. "Did you have to leave now, or is there time to get some hot cocoa at the Crystal Tea Room?"
"I think I can get away with oooone more detour," Misty giggled. "For a friend."
