Ethereal Chaos

   Rainbow Dash flew in through Twilight's window, the first time the unicorn could recall her not crashing into something. Something seemed a bit strange about the blue Pegasus, though. She seemed a bit dazed, and had a vacant look in her eyes. However, it was quickly replaced by her more typical personality after she shook her head clear.

   “Twilight,” she said. “I just met somepony amazing. He seems so mysterious.” Twilight leaned over, intrigued. Anypony, especially a stallion, to get Rainbow’s attention must’ve been something special.

“So, what’s his name?”

“Infernalo.” Rainbow Dash noticed Twilight’s confused expression. “Why? You know him or something?” Twilight nodded.

   “He and his sisters have been staying with me until they can do something about an incident that happened at their homeland of Seldreinia; they’re part of a long-forgotten and very powerful pony race called Trossels. It's all right here in these books Infernalo left.” Rainbow Dash nodded, half-listening to her. Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly one for romance, but she was smart enough to be able to read between the lines.

   “Twilight,” she said, trying to be subtle about the issue. “Do you like him or something?” Twilight glanced away from her, thinking of a response.

   “Well,” she said. “Infernalo does seem a bit rough around the edges, but I think he could be a really nice guy; as a friend, of course. N-not that I wouldn't want to see him...that way, but...” Twilight turned bright red, struggling to keep her composure. Rainbow Dash just scoffed. “Alright, Twi, I’ll catch you later.” Rainbow spread her wings left through the window. Twilight finally got her head clear of that, but then began thinking. Why would that be such a difficult question to answer, she thought. I've never felt that way about any other stallion before. She chose to do the only sensible thing: search through her books to find an answer. She pulled down a book from the top shelf and started scanning through it.

   Frostburn and Steelmind trotted along through Ponyville, Leafwind in close proximity to the Ice Trossel. Frostburn stopped and looked down at the filly, as she stared innocently and eagerly back up at her. Frostburn usually didn’t mind Leafwind hanging out with her, but there were a lot of times where she wished that Leafwind had a few friends of her own so that she could have some time alone with Steelmind.

   “Leafwind, sweetie,” Frostburn started. “Don't you think you should hang around ponies your own age?” Leafwind thought for a brief moment before answering.

   “I don't know anypony my age,” she said finally. “They're all too busy with their own friends for me Don’t you like hanging out with me?” Frostburn melted under the pale green’s filly large orange eyes.

“You know, it’s a little disturbing how good she is at that,” Steelmind chimed in.

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” she chirped.

“Leafwind,” Frostburn said. “Leafwind, I just think that maybe you want to play with fillies your own age.”

“Well, what about colts?”

“I don’t think you’re old enough.”

   “Snowflake,” Steelmind said. Being a Thought Trossel, he could telepathically communicate with somepony, mostly for situations like this. “She is becoming a bit of a third wheel. Just leave her with Zephyroak; she is her cousin after all.”

   “Because they never get along,” Frostburn explained. “Leafwind just needs some friends.” Down the opposite path were two ponies walking side by side. One was another Pegasus, this one yellow with a faint pink mane and tail, and a freckled orange pony with a blonde mane tied behind her and a cowboy hat. Trotting alongside the orange pony was a filly with a bow in her rose colored mane, who looked about Leafwind's age. The two Trossels didn't seem to notice because of their mental conversation before finally turning their attention to the two.

“Howdy,” the orange mare said. “I don’t reckon I seen you ‘round these here parts.”

“We’re…from out of town,” Steelmind said quickly.

“They know that we’re out of town, silly,” Frostburn said, playfully pushing him. “There aren’t any Trossels in Equestria. Are there?” the two shook their heads.

“Not that ay ever seen.”

“I’m Frostburn, and this is my boyfriend Steelmind, and my sister's best friend's cousin Leafwind.” Leafwind looked up at the Pegasus, who met her gaze with a bit of unease.

   “Nice to meet y'all,” the earth pony said. “Name's Applejack, that's Fluttershy and this here's my little sister Apple Bloom.” Leafwind trotted over to Apple Bloom uneasily as though approaching a cobra.

   “Hi,” Leafwind said shakily, Frostburn coaxing her on. “So, you want to…well, what do you do for fun around here?”

   “Well, aye can show ya,” Apple Bloom said. “C’mon.” she half-dragged Leafwind away, the two others parting ways.

   “They seem friendly enough,” Steelmind said. “Now that Leafwind has a new friend, I guess that just leaves you and me, Snowflake.” Frostburn giggled and heard a barely audible sound in the distance. “That can't be good.” Frostburn's expression shifted from her perky demeanor to hallow and glum. “Snowflake, it's not your fault. It could've been anypony.”

   “Yeah,” Frostburn said, her mood only sinking further. “It was me, though.” Steelmind tried to comfort her, but didn't really have much luck calming her down as her sister did.

“Zeph,” Stonebolt asked as the two stopped walking to rest for a while. “Why don't you like hanging around Leafwind?”

“Long story,” Zephyroak said dismissively, stretching her legs and lying back against a tree.

“C'mon, Zeph,” Stonebolt pleaded. “I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything. Besides, Leafwind seems like a really sweet filly.” Zephyroak groaned.

“This again,” she snapped, more general than at Stonebolt directly. “'Leafwind is so sweet;' 'Leafwind is so perfect,' 'Leafwind is so adorable.' Newsflash: Leafwind isn't your daughter!” Zephyroak slumped against the tree in annoyance as Stonebolt just sat next to her in shocked silence. She'd never seen Zephyroak like this before. Cautiously, the Earth Trossel cleared her throat and spoke.

“Wow, Zephyroak,” she said astonished. “I'm...I've never seen this side of you before. You never actually said why you never want to hang around Leafwind.” Zephyroak looked up, seeming more collected.

“Stonebolt, do you know why I consider you my best friend,” she asked. Stonebolt opened her mouth to speak, but Zephyroak continued. “It's because you're the only pony that I can trust. All my life, ever since my stupid cousin was born, all everypony has ever done is say how great Leafwind is and how adorable she is, even when I'm doing something ten times better. I was always the smart one, the pretty one, but none of that mattered to my parents once they met Leafwind. I can't even remember a time they congratulated me or even acknowledged me as their daughter. It's always 'why can't you be more like your cousin?'“ Zephyroak uttered those last words in a whiny mocking tone. “When Leafwind did get her powers, all my family did was praise her and tell her how great her new cutie mark was. It wasn't until I slammed the door to my room they even knew I came home.” Stonebolt was completely motionless. She could tell Zephyroak was long past the point of caring whether or not she was still listening, but Stonebolt felt that her friend needed to get this off her back. When Zephyroak finally finished, Stonebolt inched closer to the Sky Trossel to comfort her.

     “It's weird,” Stonebolt thought out loud. “I always seem to be the one playing Therapist with my sister, my brother, now you. Maybe that could've been my special talent.” Zephyroak's expression wasn't too phased by her light-hearted joke, though. “You need some time to think?” Zephyroak shook her head at first, but then nodded. Stonebolt got up and walked off, almost swearing that out of the corner of her eye she could she Zephyroak crying to herself.