Welcome Home

by ZM

Chapters

Chapter 5 - Heated moment
Chapter 13 - I want to touch you
Chapter 1 - A new home
Chapter 2 - Hello, I'm a kirin
Chapter 3 - A lonely evening
Chapter 4 - Isolated
Chapter 6 - Party
Chapter 7 - Watch it burn
Chapter 8 - Care and don't care
Chapter 9 - Golden String
Chapter 10 - Against all odds
Chapter 11 - Golden time
Chapter 12 - Being me
Chapter 14 - My nirik side
Chapter 15 - A night together
Chapter 16 - Two flames
Chapter 17 - Back home
Chapter 18 - Personal fortress

Chapter 5 - Heated moment

The rest of the week was uneventful. I woke up, performed my morning routine, headed to work where Creative taught me how to operate a new machine, talked with some random ponies during lunch, went back to work until evening, went home and spent my time at home alone. The only noteworthy thing that happened was the rain yesterday…

Even though this was my first week in Maren, the days had already started to feel repetitive. There was nothing really special going on. Sure, in Hono, there weren't parties every day either but there it felt different. The feelings and the aura the kirins gave off filled the village up and made the day special. Except during that period, when we were under the influence of the stream of silence. But even then, it felt different. I just couldn't put my hoof on why exactly.

But today I planned to change that. Today was a free day which meant that I didn’t have to go to work. Which means that I have a lot of time to go out and do something fun.

It was shortly after lunch when I left my home. The sun was shining and granting us a hot summer day. But it was clear that autumn was coming soon. But for now, it was a sign for me to enjoy the outside world.

I started by making a little stroll through Maren. Creative had been busy this week and was sadly never able to give me a village tour and now I was too curious to wait any longer. I was sure Creative would understand. We could do something else together another time.

I took the first few steps outside and took in the air. Today it already tasted calmer. Most likely also because many shops were closed today and ponies used the day to relax.

I looked to my right to the house of my neighbour Light. After the interaction I haven’t heard anything from him anymore which, with all honesty, didn’t surprise me. He was so shy the first time we met that I question if he ever will knock on my door. But at least I knew a little bit about him. Unlike my neighbor to the left, who I haven't met yet.

For a short moment I considered, if I should try to knock on their door again but I discarded the idea. Today I wanted to see the other parts of Maren. I would have plenty of time to meet that neighbor later.

I left my property and started to walk through the streets. I went without any goal, nor with clear ideas. Sometimes left, sometimes right.

My eyes always wandering at the scenery around me. While kirins had built their homes inside the trees, Maren had houses. But not all of them were row houses like the one I had. Some were single-family homes in different shapes and sizes and with beautiful gardens.

I strolled around, for I don’t know how long, until I ended up at the plaza. The centre of the village. The plaza was big surrounded by homes and shops. It had trees, benches and a decorative fountain but still provided enough space for ponies to group up and spend time visiting. While Hono had the market, this was kind of like the meeting point for Maren.

It was a welcoming sight for me to see that there were multiple ponies sitting together and chatting. Foals were running around, busy in their own games. Yes, I liked this place. Here, everything felt more welcoming.

I took a seat on a nearby bench. Two mares were already sitting there and talking with each other. They were both unicorns and both a bit older in age. One had light blue fur and a bit darker brushed mane with grey strands. The other had yellow fur and a short faded pink mane. As I sat next to them, they glanced at me briefly, then returned to their chat.

“Can you believe that he would do something like this?”, the blue one half asked.

“No way! he always was a bit careless pony but why he did something so reckless is beyond me”, the other mare said.

I rolled my eyes on the inside. I didn’t know who and what they were talking about, but I still disliked this topic of gossip. Talking about others behind their back while having no real source to stand on. This only tended to spread rumours and lies about other.

Did you hear this, and did you hear that about them? Oh, they did the most horrible things. That’s what my friend has told me, I thought while mimicking a voice in my mind.

“Oh, but did you know the news about Shadowheart and her parents? Rose told me about it not long ago.”

Oh, dear Flames no! I thought and quickly left the bench, fully aware that these two mares will now start talking about me and my strange behaviour of leaving the seat so quickly. Still, it was better than listening to them gossip.

I found a new place to sit down, right next to the fountain. Again, there were two mares. This time a unicorn and an earth pony.

The earth pony was small in size, had white fur, raisin purple mane and wore a bobble hat. The unicorn had pink fur and a blue and white stiped mane. There was also a light green unicorn colt with a yellow mane who was busy playing with the water in the fountain.

“Oh yes, he starts school next year. First year. Can you imagine? It feels like yesterday we two were together in school. I remember that I was really nervous”, the unicorn laughed.

I gave a relaxing sigh. This was a chat I enjoyed much more.

“Oh don’t be like that. I was the same. Guess it makes sense that the two of us became friends”, the earth pony chuckled.

I sat there patiently, waiting for a chance to somehow join their chat. It was clear these two had known each other for a long time and were taking a moment to reminisce. So, I didn’t want to press myself rudely into their conversation. Instead, I waited until a topic that would let me join in came up.

I suddenly felt a very intense stare ot me. I turned my head down to the ground and spotted the green colt looking up at me with very curious eyes. His hooves still dripping wet from the water he played with.

“What are you?”, was all he said.

Surprised, I blinked a few times.

“Palm, don’t be rude!”, the unicorn mare, who I can only assume is the mother, ordered to the colt.

“Oh, it’s alright, miss. It's only natural to be curious at his age. Especially when it comes to a creature like me”, I waved off to the mother and then turned to the colt, whose name seemed to be Palm. “Well, I am a kirin, little one. a creature that was recently rediscovered again.”

“Hm, what exactly is a kirin then?” This time the earth pony mare spoke.

This was the opportunity I was waiting for. Sure,I was a bit tired of explaining what a kirin is, but it was a good icebreaker to lead the conversation futher.

“Oh, a kirin is not too different from a pony. You see…”

It was evening, and I was sitting in the local restaurant. Alone, of course. After I had explained to the two mares and the little colt what a kirin is, I had tried to build up a conversation out of it.

Let’s say, it had not been bad. We had talked about nothing in particular and mostly had answered questions about one another. And still, there had again been this feeling of having a border. The same that I had had with Velvet and Cloak. So, kind of like friendly but I still hadn’t really belonged there.

I had kept up the chat for a while but after a while I had said my goodbye. They had offered me a smile and had wished me a good evening, but I had already known that this hadn’t led to anything long lasting. Maybe one day I might pass them on the streets, and it would be something like: “Oh hello Spring”, followed by a little small talk like: “How are you?”, and “Nice weather today, right?”, and then our paths would separate again while the chat would feel more like a waste of time than actual enjoyment.

I didn’t want to think about it. This whole thing annoyed me more than it should. Maybe it was because this tea I had ordered was such a disappointment like the one I had at work. (The only grey part that tea had was the grey feeling it gave me.)

I looked around the restaurant. It was a lovely building made of wood which a lot of room. The chairs and tables were also polished wood with gave the whole atmosphere an old but calm feeling.

There were also some ponies sitting there. All of them in groups I noticed. Couples, families and some rare friend groups. I noticed that all these pony groups… they knew each other. They had known each other for years. There was no new friendship going on here.

“Excuse me sir, your salad”, suddenly came a voice from my right.

I turned my head and saw the waiter. A large grey pegasus stallion with his mane brushed to the side and wearing a simple suit. On one wing he balanced a plate with a salad which he placed in front of me.

“Thank you very much”, I said happily, to which he replied with an: “Enjoy”, and was gone afterwards.

The salad looked delicious. Colourful leaves with daisies, radish and something ponies call croutons. I licked my lips and started eating right away. These ponies had a lot to learn about tea but at least they could cook.

Something that puzzled me were these two glass shakers I had on the table. One was filled with a white crystal (which I already could tell that it was salt) and the other had a black substance in it. I used my kirin magic to float the black shaker to me and give it a careful sniff. The very familiar smell of pepper filled my nose, and I had to sneeze hard.

That was a lesson learned, I thought.

I placed the shaker back in its place and instead floated the napkin to my nose and blew my nose clear from the pepper. Sure, not the fine kind but better than sneezing it all over my salad.

As I continued to eat, I heard a female voice to my left. Speaking louder than normal.

“Did you see that? First, he sniffs the pepper and then used his serviette as a tissue. How unhygienic!”

My ears perked up. Was this pony talking about me? I gave a careful side glare and spotted a mare and a stallion sitting two tables over from me. The mare also gave me a side glare, not directly looking at me but her eyes told about the disapproval.

“Some just don’t know how table manners go”, the stallion said also more loudly, turning his head slightly, looking at me without really looking at me.

A feeling of annoyance crept through me. These two weren’t talking so loud before. They just started doing it so that I could hear it. Was this the way it worked here? If you get bothered by somepony (or kirin in my case) you don’t stand up and talk with them? You just speak loud enough so that they hear it but without really talking to them? And then you give angry glares but still not really address them? Is this the way of kindness, frankness and friendship?

I felt heat rise in me and my mane started to smell like smoke. I considered if I should stand up and give this couple a piece of my mind. That if they have a problem with me, they can talk with me about it. But I knew this would only anger me more and this wooden building was not very nirik proof…

I stood up, half slammed some bits on the table and left the restaurant. I stomped home on the most direct way without giving a care for my surroundings. This day was ruined for me.

At home I went directly into my bedroom. The neutral aura of the room embraced me and cooled me down like hot iron in water. I took a deep breath and sat on the bed. I needed to meditate a bit.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading.

Like always, feel free to give a review. Positive reviews help to stay motivated and negatives help to improve the story.

Chapter 13 - I want to touch you

Time started to fly by whenever Golden came for a visit and before I realized it the snow was gone and the green of spring could be seen through the window instead. I met that white pegasus more and more often. At least every third day (often sooner) we saw each other.

A very strong bond had grown between us and I was closer to her than I had been with many kirins in my old village. I trusted her and I knew I could tell her everything.

And that also affected the rest of my life. I had found my happy spirit and motivation again. I had started to cook with more love again, ate more, filled my free time (even when Golden was not around), I talked with other ponies… I felt like me. Or even better.

I still wasn’t too fond of Maren, but Golden’s friendship was like a fire that guided me through the darkness.

And little to the surprise it was, that I had started to feel too close to her. I fell in love with her. Her positive aura, her kindness, her joking side, her openness, her smile, her look… Oh my Flames, her look… Golden always had been a pretty mare with her attractive body, blemish free white fur, her long thick golden mane, her devine wings and her deep blue eyes. And the more I started to love her, the more beautiful she got.

But I did my best to swallow this feeling. I still treated Golden like I used to so that she would never know that I loved her. Nor did I say anything. I was just too afraid. Too scared that she might reject me and this whole friendship would become too awkward to keep up. And the risk of losing her, my only and very best friend here in Maren… it was just not something I wanted to risk. I didn’t want to lose my flame and end up alone in the darkness again…

Sure, I knew that I also was her best friend since she had, just like me, trouble making friends with the inhabitants of Maren. But I didn’t think (or better, I doubted) that she saw me as anything else than a friend.

So instead, we two just met and I enjoyed the time we spend together. Drinking tea, cooking something, going for a walk, playing games, helping with daily problems or teaching something to each other. (Not long ago I showed her how to knit.) But mostly I enjoyed her company.

Today was Just such a day. We two sat in the living room opposite to each other. Golden on the sofa and me on a chair. Between us, on the couch table, was a wooden, checked board and several little stones in the colour of black or white. Of course, a cup of tea for each of us was also set.

I used my magic to float a black stone to a free place on the checked board and then removed several white stones.

“Hey! You are not allowed to place your stone there. I have an eye protecting that area. You said that would count as a suicide move”, Golden objected.

“Indeed but by placing my stone on that position your line here gets fully surrounded by my force. It means your eye turns into a false eye”, I explained and casually took a sip from my tea.

“Oh this game is horse apples! It is just like chess but worse and more complicated!”, Golden said.

I gave a chuckle and floated all of the stones into a bag.

“Oh don’t be like that. Sure, Go is not easy to learn, let alone to master it, but it is not a bad game. Lot of strategy involved. If you ever come to Hono then you have to play against Cinder Glow. She is our kirin master in this game. Even Rain Shine struggles against her.”

As I stood up and floated the Go game back onto the shelf, I noticed out of the corner of my eyes how Golden looked at me. Or better my… flank?

“Something wrong?”, I asked, unsure how to react.

“Oh sorry”, Golden was clearly ripped from her thoughts. “I was just wondering… Does no kirin has a cutie mark or is it just you?”

I looked at my own flank and then at hers. Yes, I remember that I had read about this flank tattoo the ponies call “cutie mark”. (In my opinion a very filly like name for it.) It showed the special talent a pony had and everypony magically got one when they were young.

“No. Kirins don’t get cutie marks. To be honest, I often forget that ponies get them. I couldn’t even tell the cutie mark of one of my coworkers. Maybe it is because they are something I am not used to seeing. Or maybe I just don’t check out the flanks of others”, I laughed.

“What a gentlekirin you are”, Golden mocked and also stood up. And then, with a little pose she presented me her flank. “But don’t you worry. You can look if you want. I'll let you.”

Now it was my turn not to stare and I did my best to concentrate only on her cutie mark. On the inside I hoped that I didn’t blush.

Golden’s cutie mark was a bow for a violin but I noticed something strange about the string. It had a yellow colour and was only attached to the top and the rest curved around itself and expanded into a loose fan.

“When I was younger my parents wanted me to learn an instrument. I was not too interested in it but still chose the violin. During a test performance the string of my bow ripped. And since they are made out of pony hair, I came to the idea to fix it myself. So, I cut some tail hair of mine and fixed the bow letting me finish the performance. And from there my cutie mark appeared”, Golden recalled.

“So, I guess it shows how good you are in fixing instruments”, I concluded and wondered what my cutie mark would look like if I had one.

Golden laughed and said: “Yes. My parents first thought that it shows some sort of musical talent, but I knew better. Fixing the violin was way more fun than playing with it. And soon I was playing less and less, and instead focused more on building one of my own.”

There was a moment of silence between us.

“Can I ask you something?”, Golden then said.

“Sure!”

“Your back.” Her hoof pointed at my scales. “Do they have any major purpose? They look so… protective. But then why do you only have them on your back?”

I gave a chuckle.

“To be honest, I don’t know”, I had to admit. “There is an old kirin tale where it’s said that in a fight you have to face your opponent. Making a surprise attack from behind is seen as dishonorable. The protective scales is probably a symbolic image. But I don’t know if there is a real reason kirins have them.”

"Do you mind if I touch them?”, Golden asked with a smile. But her aura told me how she hesitated. Not willing to enter my personal space without allowance. Even though we were so close to each other. Or maybe it was BECAUSE we were so close…

“Sure, if I can touch your wings as well. Kirins don’t have wings, and I always wondered how they might feel”, I said.

Golden smiled in agreement and motioned with a hoof for me to sit down. I placed myself on the floor and Golden took her place right beside me but facing my back. Close enough that I could feel her body heat. She then extended her right wing that reached out in front of me.

With my front hoof I gently took her white wing, carefully touching it like it could break. It was soft. I could feel the strong muscles beneath, but the feathers are what stood out most. Some feathers were big and large, rougher. Most likely these were the important ones when flying. But the small ones where the softest.

At the same time I could feel how Golden’s hooves stroked over my back. Touching my scales. They were thick and hard, but I still could feel every move she made on them. Kind of like when wearing a jacket you could still feel when somepony touched you.

“I bet not even a spear could pierce through them…” Golden half whispered.

Then she suddenly gave a small gasp as I gave a firmer press on her wing. This made me retreat in surprise, and I quickly let go of her wing.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you!”, I quickly apologised.

“Nono. It’s alright. They can be a bit sensitive sometimes. You didn’t hurt me”, Golden said.

“Still, I got a bit carried away”, I returned and quickly stood up to get some space between me and Golden again.

I wasn’t sure if I could sense some disappointment in Golden but even if she felt any, it was quickly gone. But this had most likely just been false hope on my part.

“I guess I'll go now. It is getting late”, Golden said and also stood up.

I wanted to say something but didn’t really know what. I just gave a dumb nod and accompanied Golden to the door.

“Thank you again for everything. It was lovely. It really was. I'll see you again soon?”, Golden meant and looked at me.

“Yes… I nearly forgot. In four days, the kirin new year starts. In Hono that was a huge holiday. Here in Maren, between ponies, it is not known but I still would like to throw a little party. And I would really enjoy it if you would come too”, I offered.

“Of course I will. Wouldn’t want to miss it for anything”, she said with a warm smile.

“Then we'll see each other in four days again. I will set everything up, so you don’t have to bring anything”, I returned and used my magic to open the door.

Golden accepted my kindness and stepped outside. She gave a goodbye wave with her wing, and I waved back with my hoof. But not long after I closed the door and, like a sack of rice, I slumped frontal against the door, hitting my horn in the process, which granted me some well deserved pain.

By the holy Fire… what was I thinking?

Author's Note

Like always, I would like to give all a huge thanks who help me with the story. And I also would like to say thank you to all readers who came this far.
Feel free to give reviews. Positives or negatives, they always help.

Chapter 1 - A new home

Finally I was able to move into my new home.

My name is Spring Frost and I’m maybe the first kirin who left the Hono, the village of kirins, to move to a new place.

when Applejack and Fluttershy first visited the Hono, they not only Freed us from the Stream of Silence, but they had also shown us that there were more creatures outside of our own little place.

Of course, we had always known (or at least suspected) that there was more. But none of us had dared to go there. It had always been like an invisible barrier had kept us from leaving and it wasn't until these two ponies arrived that it finally disappeared.

Since that day I had dreamed of leaving Hono. It was not like I dislike our kirin village, but I wanted to experience more. Have a change of scenery, live in another culture, work on new projects and meet new kirins (or in this case here: ponies).

It was not easy. In the end, it was still a new world I was entering, and I was just as inexperienced as every other kirin in my village.

My plan had been, because of this, not directly move into a big city like Manehatten, Las Pegasus or Canterlot to avoid culture shock. Instead, this small little place called Maren would be my new home. It had some houses, a café, a restaurant, a post office, some little shops, farms, and a very small part that ponies used to call an industrial part. The next closest city was Canterlot but but it was still nearly a day’s train ride away. In other words, maren was a small, unknown, and off the beaten path with just a small hoof full of ponies.

But right now, I was standing in front of my own little house. While kirins build their homes inside a tree, ponies usually construct houses. What I had here was called a row house. Which meant that there were two other houses attached to mine. One to my left and one to my right. These ponies sure know how to build with space efficiency in mind.

These buildings might look a bit thin, but they were way larger when you enter them. Plus, I also had a second floor and even a small garden in front of the house. All in all, it was something completely new for me and also too big for just one kirin to live in. But I had neighbours and was hoping to make some pony friends who help me to make this block feel more and more like home.

I gave a happy sigh andswept a hoof through the top of my dark green mane. I was proud of myself. Taking such a huge step and now being able to stand here and say, “I did it”.

I entered my home and looked around. I actually knew everything was in place and this inspection was unnecessary. But it filled me with such pride to do so.

From the entrance you could go left to the living room, straight ahead into the kitchen or right upstairs. The kitchen came along with the cooking plates, oven, fridge and other cooking essentials. These were, of course, be pony like in build since no kirin (or pony) had expected that a kirin would move in here. So, I wanted to keep the pony touch and only added a table and two chairs. (From there I also learned that ponies have way higher chairs and tables.)

The living room on the other hoof I gave a mix of pony and kirin style. And I think I did it pretty well. With a soft sofa, a kirin style table, two pony style armchairs, pony style library and closets and kirin style carpet, plants, wall paintings and other decorations. The living room was designed to help ponies and kirin to feel more comfortable, in case I got some visitors, which I hoped for a lot.

I decided to go upstairs. Here you could go from a hallway into the bathroom and the bedroom. The bathroom was… a bathroom. It had a toilet, a shower and a sink. I doubted that ponies poo different than kirins…

The bedroom was, unlike the rest of the house, very empty. It had a bed and a closet in it. Nothing else. The bedroom was a place for me to retreat to and be myself. I didn’t want luxury or anything else in here. This was a place filled with an empty, but still calm, aura. And nothing should disturb it. Here I slept, meditate and thought about nothing.

But even though it was already evening, right now was not the time for rest. I still had things to do. Introduce myself to the neighbours. Of course, the plan was not to become best friends with the neighbourhood but at least have a positive relationship with them.

I jumped into the shower and let the water wash over my blue-green coat, king blue scales and green mane to get rid of all the smell, sweat and dirt. I wanted to make the right first impression. When I was done cleaning myself, I got out of the shower and dried myself properly (which is always hard with the manes kirins have). When I looked into the mirror, I saw my dark green eyes looking back and taking in my freshly washed body.

I hope he or she is friendly and doesn't burst into flames very often... Oh wait, ponies don't have a nirik form, quickly went through my mind as I rushed outside, through my garden and went to my left neighbour’s door. It was summer and the warm and bright evening only motivated me more.

As the good neighbor that I wanted to be, I aimed to introduce myself formally. I lifted my hoof and gave a soft knock on the door. I couldn’t tell if any kirin (I have to get used to saying every PONY here) was home and it seemed like there was not. To be sure I gave another knock and waited one or two minutes Still, the door remained shut. But I knew that ponies, just like kirins, can be busy and are not always able to be home.

I didn’t let this get my spirit down and went instead to my other neighbour. The one to my right side.

There I too knocked on the entrance and, to the beginning, nothing happened. Then very slowly and not too far the door opened and this time a lemon-yellow stallion with a light blue mane opened the door. He had no wings and no horn so I guessed that he must be an earth pony.

“Good day, nice to meet you”, I greeted in a happy tone. “I am sorry to bother you. My name is Spring Frost, and I just moved into the house next yours. I wanted to introduce myself to let you know that I am your new neighbour.”

“Oh… yes. Hello mister Frost”, the stallion said slow and careful. He had a smile on his face, but I could tell that he was uncomfortable talking to me.

“No need for formalities. We are neighbours. Spring is fine”, I waved off.

“Ah yes… Nice to meet you Spring. My name is Light Blue”, he again spoke slowly.

A short and awkward moment of silence followed as i waited for him to say more, but he didn't. I quickly tried to react in hopes of breaking the ice.

“Likewise Light. So, if you need something, like the classic cup of sugar”, I chuckled, and he gave a small laugh too. I just couldn’t tell if it was pretend or not now… “feel free to knock on my door and ask.”

“Yes… thank you”, was Lights only answer.

Oh Holy Flame, is this stallion shy. Sure, I am a kirin and something new but it’s not like I'm acting hostile right now, I thought.

But I didn’t give up so easily.

“Oh, the same goes if there is any problem. If I am too loud next door then also don't hesitate to tell me. Along with anything else that bothers you. Often there is no harm in such situations, so a solution can easily be found.”

But again my efforts didn’t get the reaction I hoped.

“Okay. I will.”

I rolled my eyes on the inside but continued to stay polite.

“Right… I will let you be now. But you can always come over, and I'll make some tea, and we can introduce ourselves and have a nice chat”, I said as I turned around and gave a goodbye wave.

“Alright. Have a good day”, Light said and slowly closed the door.

As I slowly walked back home, I asked myself what i possibly did wrong. Was I so friendly that it came over as weird or flirtatious? Or maybe he was really just so surprised by the sight of a kirin.

Kirins were only a recent discovery by ponies, and I could bet that many didn’t know yet what these special looking creatures are. Unlike ponies we had a thick lionlike mane, clipped hooves, a leonine tail, a unique horn and scales on the back. Maybe I should have explained what I am and what a kirin exactly is. I made a mental note that I should say this the next time I meet some PONY new.

I went back inside my home. Luckily, I came here with food already in stock. I decided to cook myself some fried rice with vegetables. As I sat alone at the kitchen table, I used the time to reflect about the day.

Sure, Light was a shy neighbour but there was also the other one to my left. Maybe that one was different. Besides, I came from a place where I already knew every kirin. We had known each other for our whole life. And I should not forget the major part I achieved today. I moved in here and already started to get familiar with pony culture and my new home. Now could happily go to bed. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week and the start of my new job, so i need plenty of sleep to be ready.

I finished my dinner, cleaned my plate and went upstairs. After brushing my teeth I snuggled under my blanket and not long after I drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

Hello and thank you all for reading the first chapter.

As you might have noticed, this story is written in first person and the beginning is a bit of… boring. But don’t you worry, the story will build itself up and the more exiting chapters will follow with a (planned) regular update.

Btw, feel free to give any reviews. If you see mistakes or have some inputs let me know.

Chapter 2 - Hello, I'm a kirin

As soon as the alarm clock went off, I jumped out of bed. I was filled with excitement and ready for the day.

I opened the door to my bedroom, and there was my alarm clock, ringing on the floor like it owned the hallway. Like I said before, I didn’t want anything in my bedroom except the bed and the closet. And my alarm clock was not one of the two. So, its proper place was outside of the door so it could still wake me up.

I picked the clock up, turned it off and took it into the bathroom where it would wait until the evening to be used again. I took a soapy shower and went down to make myself a small bowl of rice for breakfast.

My eagerness caused me to finish with my shower sooner than I usually was, and not long after I was out the door and on the way to work. With a smile, I walked along the street, passing by houses and ponies. Some ponies (alright a lot of ponies) stared at me, but I couldn’t blame them. Being the only kirin around since… well... ever, made me stand out in the herd. They just had to get used to me and I was sure after a month they would know me.

After some minutes of walking, I reached my destination. “TEXTILE MILL MAREN” was written in large letters at the entrance. This was the only such factory I had read about so far. As a kirin, who was not used to such huge buildings, I was stunned. And they said this was only a small factory!

I went through the main entrance and looked around. The application had happened only with letters, so this was my first time being in the building. Inside, the building looked even more impressive, since the reception was as big as all of my rooms combined. Everything was clean and bright with barely any furniture. Some seats, a table, a potted plant and the reception desk where a brown mare with a short black mane was gaving me a strange look.

“Can I help you?”

Her voice snapped me out of my daze.

“Yes, sorry. I am the new worker. Spring Frost. Your boss, Pink Cotton, told me I should come here.”

“Ah yes. Please take a seat, Miss Cotton will come soon”, she said and pointed at one of the many seats in the room.
I did so and waited quietly as the mare left the room. Being alone in such a big room was kind of awkward. Especially when you were already on the eager side.

After what felt like an eternity the mare, accompanied by a second mare, returned. The new mare had a pink long mane, tied into a braid. Her fur was light blue, and she wore a fancy purple dress.

“Mister Frost, we’ve corresponded through letters. I am Pink Cotton”, the pink maned mare said as she offered me a hoof. In meantime her companion went back behind the desk.

“Yes indeed. Nice to meet you miss Pink Cotton”, I replied and bumped her hoof with my own. Kirin use to bow to higher ranked (which was mostly just Rain Shine) but luckily I had read up on how to greet ponies before I came here.

Pink Cotton lead me through a door with lead directly to the heart of the facility. Dozens of machines and ponies worked there, creating a sort of organized chaos. I couldn’t tell where the wool was going in and the textile came out, but everything operated like clockwork. My mouth must have hit the floor from the sight. Fortunately, my future boss did not notice as she was too busy explaining about the facility.

“As mentioned into the letters, mister Frost, Textile Mill Maren produces fabric for Equestria. Of course we are not the only textile mill, but we are one of them. We take the cotton and wool mostly from local farms and a smaller part who are further away.

Our facility is separated in three parts. The main part you can see here. Here we produce all kind of fabric rolls in many colours and maybe add a basic decoration. Some rolls will be sold right away, and some come to our second part to become basic fabric items like bed sheets, curtains or protection sheets for farm fields.

But remember that this is not a fashion design with means we only do basic products and not fully clothings. We do sometimes get special requests like a unique fabric, special design or even clothing parts. Things we cannot produce on your standard machine. Such requests we produce in the third part of the factory.

If I understood correctly, you would like to work in the third part. Is that right, mister Frost?”

For the second time today, I was ripped from the trance that the sight of all this fabric had brought on.

“Oh yes, miss Cotton. In Hono, the place where we kirins live, I was a tailor and seamster. We are only a small village, so we didn’t have such huge machines like you have here. Instead, I only got special requests like how the fabric should look or for what it will be used. But I do also have a little experience in making clothing and other similar things”, I explained.

Miss Cotton gave a nod. “I understand. Then please follow me.”

She led me between the machines through the facility. I noticed again how ponies gave me a stare when they thought I wouldn’t notice. But in the end, how often did it happen that a kirin walked though this building.

Me and miss Cotton came to a double door which she swung open. Tt led to another part of the facility. This one was way smaller and had less machines. But they were all different and not connected to each other. It seemed to be more of a small workshop than an area meant for mass production.

“This is the third part of the factory. The creative part if you will. I think it is for the best if I first put you in a familiar environment. Here you can get familiar with our production and machines”, miss Cotton explained and trotted to a dark grey stallion with a short, black, curly mane. He also had wings, indicating that he was one of these pegasus ponies.

“Mister Wind here will instruct you until you are able to work on your own”, she finished.

“Nice to meet you. I am Spring Frost”, I introduced myself and lifted my front leg.

He took my hoof and gave me a polite smile. “Creative Wind. But Creative is fine.”

“Very well you two, with that part done, I will be off to my own work”, miss Cotton, turned around and went to the same door we came through not even a minute ago.

Busy mare, I thought to myself but quickly turned my attention back to Creative.

“Alright let’s get this started. Have you ever worked on a machine like this?”, he asked and pointed at an apparatus three times larger than me. It was made out of wood and some metallic parts while many strings were taut parallel to each other and going along a wheel. A weaving machine!

“Oh yes, I have”, I replied. “I have a weaving machine too and used it very often. Mine is way smaller. I would say that this one is twice as tall as mine, and more modern than the one I have. So, I don’t know how similar they are to each other.”

“No worries”, Creative calmed me, “they work just like the old ones with the difference being that the modern versions do a lot more of the work for you. This means you could work faster and focus more on the important stuff.

Now for today we are doing a fabric with a given colour pattern. This is a common commission we get. In other words, a perfect task for you to get into. Place yourself in front of the weaving machine and I'll show you how it works.”

Even though the first sight of this huge weaving machine had terrified me, it was actually fairly simple to use. You didn’t have to braid the strings anymore and the straining was also fully automatic. You could do it manually, which Creative suggested I do when there were difficult parts, but most of the time I was just standing there, watching the machine do its job and change the strings.

And even though I used to call myself very skilled and fast with a weaving machine, I had, to my disliking, to admit that this full auto product was way faster than anything I could do.

That didn’t mean I disliked working with it. Since the special order requested a special coloured pattern, I had to change the strings a lot. In short, the machine only automated the repeating parts. Braid, push, repeat. But I on the other hoof had to be there for the creative part. In this case, change the colours so that, in the end, the sheet comes out the way the customer requested.

“… so, all in all a kirin is not too different from a pony. We just look a bit different and have another culture.”

While working I also chatted a bit with Creative, who stayed close by, watching me working on the weaving machine in case I needed more instruction. I wanted to tell him what I am exactly, along with some other stuff about kirin. The nirik part I skipped consciously. I didn’t want to scare him like I might have done to my neighbour.

“Interesting. I cannot say that I ever met a kirin before. Even less heard about your kind”, Creative admitted.

“Well, to be fair, our village was very isolated from the rest of Equestria and was only discovered recently thanks to two ponies named Fluttershy and Applejack. They got send to us to solve a friendship problem”, I told him.

Suddenly there was a loud, honk like sound echoing going through the whole factory. Loud enough that I looked around in confusion.

“Ah, that is the lunch bell. Finish the current line you are working on and then we can go eat.”

I did as I was told and Creative showed me how to remove the power stone from the machine to shut it down. from what he has told me, most of the facility runs on pony power via treadmills or something he calls a "hamster wheel". But some rare machines work with power stones.

Creative lead me to the cafeteria. It was a big room for all workers. It was filled with long tables and benches which were filled with many ponies. The room had small decorations like potted plants, paintings and some large windows. There was also a stand with simple food like fruits or bread topped or filled. (In Hono bread was very rarely made so I didn’t know the name of such products.)

Miss Cotton had written me in the letters that the cafeteria provided simple food free for taking. But it wasn’t much and if I wanted to have a more filling meal, then I should bring my own food, like many ponies did.

“If you want you can eat here. Some ponies, me included, also tend to go home to eat lunch. But it is up to you. You can also take something from the stand but be sure that others also get their share before taking too much”, Creative explained.

In Hono I was used to eating at home since I also worked in the same place where I lived. Here in Maren, I didn’t really have such an option. It would be quiet a while for me to fall so far behind in my work that would have to rush through lunch, so I could be back in time for the afternoon shift. But I didn’t complain about it. Here I could dine together with my other coworkers and have the chance to introduce myself and make new friends. So far, I only knew Creative but here were a hundred more ponies I could meet.

“Thank you, I think I will stay here and talk with some kir- I mean ponies”, I said to Creative.

“Alright, see you after lunch then”, he meant and gave me a small goodbye wave.

I trotted over to the stand and took myself one of these breads which had a filling of egg and cucumber. After a quick peek around the room, I spotted an earth pony mare with plenty of room to sit. She had orange fur, a long tail and a short mane that was done up in a ponytail. The mane and tail were purple with a red stripe in it.

“I am sorry, but do you mind if I join you?”, I approached her.

She must have been deep in thought because she winced at the sound of my voic and looked up at me.

“Uuuum… sure!”

She gave me a shy smile and avoided eye contact as I took my seat vis-à-vis of her. After an awkward moment of silence, I decided to try and make the first move.

“My name is Spring Frost. I am the new worker here.”

“Oh, that explains why I have never seen you here…”, the mare half whispered, more to herself than me. “I am Quick Rush. Welcome in the team, I guess.”

She again gave a shy smile and dared to take a look at me.

“Thank you”, I said and used my magic to float the bread to my muzzle. I gave a short sniff before I took a bite from it. The taste of egg and cucumber filled my mouth, along with the not so familiar taste of bread. It was way different than what I had before, but it wasn’t bad at all. I actually can imagine getting very used to the taste.

When I broke my thoughts from the food, I realised that Quick was ogling me.

“I am sorry. It's just that I am completely new to pony culture and I have never had such food before”, I apologised.

“What? You mean a sandwich?”, Quick asked confused. “They are very common in Equestria.”

This was a short pause when Quick seemed to hesitate. But in the end her curiosity won. “Can I ask you… what exactly are you?”

I quickly swallowed my bite of these sandwich.

“I am a kirin. A creature that lives in Hono, a small hidden village in Kirin Grove. Our existence hasn’t been known since a long time, until two ponies, called Fluttershy and Applejack, came to us to solve a friendship problem… ”

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading. From now on the story will have a weekly update. Maybe not always on the same day but there will be always a new chapter coming.

Like always, feel free to give review and comments with help to improve the story.

Chapter 3 - A lonely evening

“… and I guess that is the long and short of a kirin. We might look and act a bit differently than ponies, but we have a lot in common.”

With those final words I also took the last bite of my egg cucumber sandwich. During that time Quick was patiently listening without interrupting. Even though I could tell how uncomfortable she felt.

Ponies around us kept glancing over. Well, mostly at me but sitting right across from me, Quick also fell their line of sight.

I disliked how ponies stared but I could understand them at least. I was a kirin. A creature they had never seen before. It was only normal that I stood out. Quick on the other hoof was only the center of attention because she happened to be sitting with me. And I guessed that she was not used to being in the spotlight.

“But enough about me. What about you? Which section of the facility do you work in?”, I asked Quick in the hope that some talking would distract her a bit.

“Me? Oh, I uuuh… I work in the first section. Mostly, I keep the treadmill going while running in the hamster wheel. But when they need more ponies, I also help out by folding and packing”, Quick answered shyly.

“Oh really? That sounds interesting! Can you explain something about it? Like how does the whole procedure work? I barely know anything about this facility yet and I am eager to know how this huge production works”, I tried to continue.

“I mean… it’s rather simple”, Quick explained. “You often work together with another pony. One is folding and the other is packing.

Depending on the size and the material the fabric gets folded or rolled up. And then they get placed into cardboard or wooden boxes. You just have to make sure the right products go into the correct boxes. Afterwards our couriers will carry them to the train station for shipping.”

I gave a nod. It felt nice to have this conversation with Quick. She seemed like a kind mare. A small peek at the clock told me that there were still some minutes left of the lunch break.

Back in Hono, I usually had a cup of tea after lunch and my mind was asking for one now too. A small, hot cup to settle my mind before returning to work sounded perfect.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but is it possible to get tea here?”, I asked Quick.

“Yes it is. Just next to the food stand is a small table with hot and cold water. Tea bags are just next to the hot water.”

Tea bags? My mind was clearly confused by Quicks words, but I was sure I would figure out what she meant once I saw it.

I stood up from my seat and trotted over to said table. And indeed, there were two metallic barrel looking dispensers on the table. One with HOT written on it, and the other with COLD. (Not hard to guess which one held the hot water I needed.) And next to the hot barrel was also a box with little bags inside.

I was confused and grabbed one of these bags with my kirin magic, floating it to my nose. But a sniff gave the unmistakable smell of tea. These ponies packed their tea in such little bags.

I guess that is one way to do it.

I chose a bag labeled “Berry Lover” and dropped it into a cup along with hot water. When I returned to my seat Quick was already gone. Maybe she wanted to get back to work a bit sooner.

I felt a bit disappointed but still placed myself back on the seat. I still had some time left before going back to work and wanted to enjoy my tea. I took a sip from it and let the liquid wander through my mouth. The taste was rather bland and was nothing compared to a real tea leaf. If that was what ponies were drinking, then they haven't had good tea yet.
I made a myself a note to plant some tea bushes in my garden. Just in case.

When lunch break ended, I met again with Creative, and we both went back to work. The afternoon passed without much excitement. I worked on the weaving machine to finish the product and Creative worked on another project on a different machine. Occasionally, I needed his help, but overall, I felt like I was getting the hang of it. At the end of the day, I had the fabric done, just in time for the honk to sound off again. This time not ringing for break, instead the end of the work for today.

I was proud of myself so far. Sure, I was not as fast as somepony who had more experience with this kind of weaving machine, but speed will come with training.

“Alright, what are you guys doing after the end of work shift?”, I asked Creative while we, along with the other workers, left the facility into the still bright summer evening.

“Oh? Well, I don’t know. I personally head home. I guess most ponies here do”, Creative answered.

“Why? Is there nothing to spend their free time on?”, I wanted to know.

In Hono we kirins often spend the evening together. Chatting, going for a walk, gardening, cooking together, going to the theatre, playing some games or simply doing some chores. Everything felt better when having somekirin by your side.

“I don’t know. I guess most ponies here are happy when they can go home. You know what they say. Home sweet home.”

I guess…

Sure, I liked home too and wanted to have my time alone but just going to work and then straight into your own four walls, sounded a bit boring to me.

“Well, would you like to do something then? We could go for a walk around the village. I am still new here and barely know anything about this place. A tour guide would be helpful right now”, I smirked and bonked Creative with my hoof on his shoulder.

He gave a laugh. “Maybe next time but not today”, he waved off.

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that”, I sighed with a pinch of disappointment.

Creative lived way closer to the facility than I did. When our ways separated, I waved him goodbye and also went home. Again, ponies looked at me when I was walking along the streets, but it already felt like less did. Or were they just less staring and more unnoticed observing?

When my home came into view, so did the one of my left neighbour. The one who wasn’t home yesterday. I decided to give another try. So, before I entered my house I turned one entrance sooner to the door of my neighbour.

Just like yesterday I used my hoof to give a knock on the door. And also, just like yesterday, no pony opened it. I waited a brief moment before I knocked again. Yet, no pony answered the door again.

Maybe that pony works in the evening. Like in a restaurant for example, I thought.

I turned around and went to leave. But as soon as I had my back turned towards the door, I couldn’t help but get the feeling of being watched. Not the way when ponies from the street or at work stared at me. This time it was different.

With a sudden move I turned my head and looked at the house of my neighbour. Was there a brief movement at the window? Was this just my imagination or was there actually somepony at home?

My eyes stood fixed on the window for a moment, but nothing gave the sign that there was or had been somepony. Still, I was sceptical. I planned to let it be for today but to make an investigation in the future.

When I opened the door to my home, my stomach made itself known by growling. Maybe just one sandwich for lunch was not enough to get trough the day. I went straight into the kitchen and to make myself some dinner.

I brought some water to boil and added noodles in it. While this cooked, I cut some bell peppers, carrots, zucchinis and garlic. Cooking has always been a passion in my life, something I always loved to spend time doing. Even when it was just for me.

the whole meal only took a few minutes to prepare, but it still ended up to a tasty and good-looking bowl of fried noodles. Since I didn’t know how to cook pony dishes, I wanted to stay with the food I am familiar with. Maybe I could find somepony who would be willing to teach me in exchange for learning some of my recipes.

I happily ate my fried noodles and cleaned the dishes. When I checked the clock, it told me that it was still early in the evening. Still, I had nothing more to do… In Hono, even after work, there was always something to do with your fellow kirins.

Maybe I should go for a stroll to explore the village a bit myself. But on the other hoof, Creative said he would show me around on another day.

Maybe it was not too bad to spend the rest of the evening just hanging around. I went into the living room and let myself flop on the sofa. I used my magic grabbed a book from the library and lazily leaned it on the arm rest.

"The Friendship Journal". This book was a gift from the Equestrian princess when I had made my announcement to move here. I had actually already read it but I wanted to do it again. It was written by non-other than Twilight Sparkle, who seems to be the princess of friendship (whatever that title means), and her five friends. It told about the adventures these six had had and how their bonds of friendship had grown stronger.

But it also taught me how ponies were. Ponies were not so different from kirins. They also had their problems and arguments, just like kirins, but they were also kind, joyful, caring, funny, open and valued friendship.

I gave a sigh. Today might not had lived up to my expectations. It was an interesting new world I was in, and I loved the place. I hadn't really gotten to know anypony yet, let alone try anything together. But maybe I was just impatient. This was only my second day here. Who knew how it would all develop further.

Author's Note

Last of the boring chapters. From now on they will get more emotional.

I still hope you all enjoyed to read it and like always, feel free to give reviews. Negative reviews help to find mistakes and positive help to motivate.

Chapter 4 - Isolated

The next day went pretty similar. I got up in the morning, cleaned myself, ate my breakfast and went to work.

Today Creative showed me a new machine. Something that got filled with cotton and it weaved it into a fine thread. A spinning wheel in other words. Just that it was way more automatic again. You had to support the machine, but it was doing a lot of the work by itself.

“Yellow tea is also called snake tea. Kirins say it got the name because a kirin farmer once was busy collecting tea leaves when a snake emerged from the bush. He dropped the tea leaves and ran away. The leaves laid in the grass exposed to the sun until the kirin came back in the evening to collect them. There, the leaves had fermented slightly and developed this yellow colour when brewed.”

While I worked, I also talked with Creative a bit. Trying to tell a story but maintaining the main focus on the task in hooves.

In Hono I had been the only tailor. This meant that I often had worked alone. So, I was not used to talking while working, which lead to several pauses in our conversations. Still, I enjoyed it.

Creative and I talked about everything and nothing at the same time. Our family, the past (I skipped the part about the Stream of Silence), likings, the village, culture and so on. It felt like I bonded a bit with him. Of course, we had only known each other since yesterday, so we weren’t best buddies, but it was a start.

“Interesting. I can’t say I am much of a tea drinker. It is good but-“, Creatives words were cut off when the honk sound called for lunch.

“Oh wow? Already that late?”, I questioned.

But the clock was not lying and the ponies around us laid down their work or finished the current task they were doing at the moment.

“Alright, let’s go eat something. I assume you can find the cafeteria on your own now?”, Creative wanted to know.

“I will. I guess you'll go home again to eat?”, I asked in return.

He gave a nod. “Indeed. I will see you after lunch.”

Creative waved as he walked off and I made my way alone to the cafeteria. Again, the room was filled with ponies. But unlike yesterday, they weren’t staring anymore. Or better, they weren’t directly staring anymore.

Before, it was more like curious staring. The fact of having a kirin, a completely unfamiliar creature, in the same room. But this time it was… some sort of sideway staring? The focus was on something else but they still followed every step I took. It actually made me feel more uncomfortable than it did before...

But I didn't want to let this feeling get in my way. As I walked between the tables I looked for a free seat with access to some coworkers.

After a quick look around, I spotted two stallions sitting together and talking with each other. One had a green, prickly hedgehog mane and a red coat while the other had his dark brown mane styled to the left side and a light brown fur.

“Do you mind if I join you two?”, I approached them.

The two stopped their chat and looked at me surprised while they tried to catch themselves again.

“I mean sure. We don’t mind”, the brown stallion was finally able to get out.

But I could tell that it was not fully true. There was a reserved tone in his voice and a bordering aura coming from both of them. Separating me from the two. It gave me a feeling of not being fully welcome here.

Still, I didn’t want to turn down the opportunity and sat myself next to the red coated stallion and opposite of the brown one.

“Sooo… guess you are the new worker here? The kirin?”, the stallion next to me asked.

Word travel fast. I just started yesterday and today they already know that I am a kirin, went through my mind. But it only made sense to me that in such a small facility any newcomer is the word in town… or facility. Especially when the newcomer is a different creature.

“Yes, I am. Spring Frost is the name. Nice to meet you two”, I said. “And you two are?”

“I am Cloak, and this is Velvet.” This time it was the brown stallion talking who used his hoof to firstly point at himself and then at his friend on the other side of the table.

“Happy to finally meet that kirin who everypony talks about”, Velvet added.

I gave a nod. It seemed like the tension faded away a bit. But only a bit.

“Yea, guess I can get used to that name. The Kirin. Being the first kirin among ponies might make me famous just for existing”, I chuckled. “Anyways, sorry if I interrupted the chat, you two were having.”

“No worries. We weren't talking about anything special”, Velvet waved off.

“What was it then?”, I dared to ask.

“Oh, we were just planning about this evening. We two plan to meet another friend of ours and play cards together”, Cloak answered.

My ears perked up. “Cool. Could I join too? I don’t have much experience with card games, but I would love to learn. Besides, I don’t have anything important planned after work, so it would be nice to have some ponies to spend the evening with.”

The two stallions shared a short look with each other. Immediately the left out feeling fully returned and I already knew the answer before one of them spoke it out loud.

“I am sorry, but I don’t think we can. We would love to, but this is more something between us friends. We've known each other for years and it would be strange to bring somepony we just met”, Cloak said with a shy smile.

I swallowed my disappointment because in the end I could understand them a bit. If you had something planned with your best pals it should continue to include just that group.

“Alright, I do get it. But what do you say if we do something together another day? I’m still new here and I don’t know anypony.”

“Maybe. When we have time”, Velvet said to my words.

I gave a nod and took out my lunch, leftovers from the fried noodles, along with two chopsticks. Unlike yesterday, I brought some food with me. I chuckled a bit when I saw the confused look of the two ponies.

The rest of the work day was uneventful. Just me and Creative chatting and before I knew it, it was already the end of todays shift.

Since I again had nothing special to do, I decided to go shopping. I could use some vegetables and fruits along with some plants for my garden. In Hono we had markets where we got our groceries (or we visited the kirin at home since we all knew each other) but Creative told me that markets were not too common in Maren. Instead, they had shops to go in and buy the needed products.

Sadly Creative was busy this evening and couldn’t accompany me. But at least he pointed me in the right direction, where I would find the most shops. And indeed, not long after I stood in front of the first ones.

Unlike when you had a market and already could see what the kirin (or here pony) would have to offer, I could only see as much as I could spot through the showcase window. Sure, I doubted that in the shop with the name “Featherbrush’s pen and paper” were any groceries but I was still curious what these ponies had to offer. My muzzle was pretty much glued on to the glass whenever I walked past one. But when the sun slowly went down, I was reminded that I had to hurry a bit or else I might miss the opening time.

The plants I will get another time. Let’s just focus on the food for now.

Luckily the grocery shop wasn’t too far away anymore, and I swiftly went in.

The inside made me once again speechless. A huge room filled with shelf after shelf, filled up with all kinds of food. Vegetables, fruits, milk products, oils, spices, herbs, eatable flowers, straw and hay, in all kinds. Everything was presented in a way that seemed to scream: “Take one of me.”

There was also a hoof full of ponies walking around and buying their products. But the sight wasn’t like anything I would have expected from ponies.

Everypony was minding their own business. Avoiding each other and keeping a big distance from the next. Maybe it was because this was a shop and not a market but for us kirins the marketplace was the number one hotspot to chat. In here, everything was dead silent.

There was even a unicorn filly, looking interested at an avocado on the shelve but even she wasn’t saying anything. No surprises since the whole aura here felt like you should look for yourself and not interact with somepony else.

This whole atmosphere in here gave me the chills and I didn’t want to stay longer than I have to. I quickly grabbed everything I needed and was standing in the queue for the cashier in record time. In front of me was the little filly from before together with her mother.

The small one was fully focused on me. Sanding in front of me and looking up with her large eyes that only a foal at such a young age could have.

I could tell that she was a playful, adventurous filly. Not backing away even when such a strange creature like me stood there. I gave her a smile. With magic I took a carrot out of my bag and let it float around, showing the filly that we kirins were able to use magic, just like a unicorn. She was stunned by it and followed the carrot with interested eyes. Then with a swift motion I booped her on the snoot with the pointed end. The filly was taken by surprise and just stared at the carrot like it was the most unnatural thing ever.

I had to chuckle a bit but stopped when I saw the look on her mother. She didn’t say anything, but her look seemed to go straight in my soul. I quickly dropped the carrot back in my bag and waited quietly in the queue until it was my turn.

As soon as it was my turn I paid the cashier (who, of course, was also dead silent) and left the store in record time. Never ever had I done my shopping so fast.

Why was everypony so in there was so… standoffish towards each other, I thought while taking a deep breath.

As I walked home, the bag with groceries in my magic grip, I couldn't help but notice that this feeling in the shop was something I had felt before. No wait, felt multiple times before. This aura of scepticism, distance and shyness towards each other… But I could only recall one event and that was when I was talking to Light, my neighbour.

He had also been very shy, barely able to talk to me. Firstly, I had thought that it was because I was a kirin or because I maybe had approached in the wrong way, but after being in this shop, I realised that this wasn’t because of that. These ponies were also very sceptical towards other ponies.

I shook my head. This was nonsense. Ponies were kind, open and valued friendship. Applejack and Fluttershy were the best proof for such. The lone reason they came to the kirin village was a friendship quest! And they weren’t scared of us even while they were surrounded by kirins. (Alright, Fluttershy was, but even she was not so standoffish with us) Not to forget all with the books that I read about ponies and their culture.

I was most likely just a bit impatient of making friends here.

Chapter 6 - Party

Nearly a month had passed since I almost had my near outburst at the restaurant. But since then, my live hadn’t changed. Every day felt the same. Get up, work, spend the evening alone, go to sleep. And somewhere in between I would have small chats with coworkers or passersby on the street. But it was always the same. This reserved aura they kept up non-stop.

I had realised that this is what the ponies here were. Shy, sceptical, distant and scared of something new. They were friendly, indeed. They always smiled when talking with me, but this was just a façade they put on.

At least I knew it wasn’t because I was a kirin. They were scared of other ponies too. I had noticed during work or my free time, that they only talked with the ponies they knew and others found it hard (or better said, impossible) to join their circle. It was possible to have some small little chats, but nothing more. But how could I, as a complete stranger, get to know somepony then if they don't let me? It might take years of trust and tries for me to finally get a friend.

This standoffish aura… I had felt it everywhere. My neighbour Light (from the other neighbour I still hadn’t heard anything) had this, my coworkers, the ponies in the shop and the ponies in the plaza. It was just that I hadn’t noticed it on the beginning because I had been too excited and motivated.

And to some extent, I still was. Because in a few days, there would the Ruishou day. A very special holiday for my kirin kind. A day where we celebrated luck, peacefulness, justice and the blessing of foals (don’t ask). A day kirins wore costumes, played music, performed traditional dances, ate, and laughed.

And here in Maren I planned to hold up to this holiday. Of course, just a little bit smaller. I planned to invite some ponies to my home and cook something for all of them. I had already given an invite to Creative, Velvet, Cloak and some other coworkers. to be honest, they were all still giving off a aura of having a border, and I was on the outside, but I hoped that at least this party would lead to a more open feeling.

“Of course, you’re invited too. Why wouldn't you be?”, I asked Quick Rush, the mare I had shared lunch break on my very first day and even some days afterwards. Like right now, were we sat together again during our break.

She was a nice little mare. Just like every pony in Maren she was shy and distant but also cute and I was able to have more than one chat with her.

“Oh… I mean thank you. Very kind. When will the party be?”, Quick asked me.

“In ten days”, I answered. “I set in on a free day, so we will all have time to be together. Oh, and don’t eat anything before. I will make sure there will be plenty of food.”

“Alright… well, maybe, when I have time, I will come too”, Quick said with a shy smile.

“Well, I hope you do. I really look forward to it”, I said optimistically and turned my focus back to the spring rolls I had made myself for lunch.

“Ah… well I appreciate it, but I sadly cannot come. I’m already busy that day.”

Work was over and right now I was standing in front of Light’s front door and had offered him an invite to my Ruishou party too, which he rejected. On the inside I raised an eyebrow because his excuse of “being busy that day” sounded a lot like a lie. But I wasn’t disappointed at all. In fact, it would have surprised me if he had said yes. For the fact that he is my neighbour he still hadn’t exchanged more than a hoof full of words with me.

“Alright. At least you now know that I will have some visitors on that day. But I don’t think we will be too loud”, I said, trying my best to keep up a polite tone.

“Okay… thank you”, was the only thing Light said to that leading once again to an awkward round of silence.

“Well then, that was all from my side. Have a pleasant evening”, I gave as goodbye.

“Yes, you too”, the earth pony said and closed the door.

I gave a heavy sight as I made my way back to my own home. From all the ponies in Maren, Light was one of the more scared ones. My eyes fell on the house of my other neighbour.

But there might be somepony who is even more scared, went through my mind.

Since I had moved here, which is already over a month ago, I've NEVER even seen this other neighbor. I knew that somepony was living in there. The house felt way too alive. And mail in the mailbox also disappeared every day.

It had been a while since I had last tried to meet this neighbour of mine. Maybe that pony was just never home when I knocked on the door but deep inside, I knew that this was not true. This pony was just too scared to meet me.

Just as if fate wanted, there was a movement to be seen through the window. Somepony definitely was at home at the moment. This was a sign for me to try again.

I walked up to the door of my neighbour. This time it was not really to introduce myself, nor was it to give an invite to my party. This was more a confirm that this pony would ignore my call again.

I lifted my hoof and knocked on the door. And waited. And waited. My eyes were more focused on the windows than actually on the door itself. And indeed, one curtain moved very suspiciously while the door remained shut.

I left the property of my neighbour with an angry wave of my tail and the air around me felt dangerously warm. The fact that I was right had filled me with an unpleasant feeling of anger and I quickly went home before I turned into a nirik.

I went straight to my bedroom and sat on my comfy mattress to meditate. I had to do that more often lately. For reasons like sadness, disappointment or annoyance. Hopefully this all will change in ten days when I host the Ruishou party…

The day has come. Today was the day of my party. Since early this morning, I was awake and preparing. Cleaning the house, cooking and decorating. I had set the start time of the party for this afternoon, and I wanted to be fully ready by then. I even had a bottle of my limited rice wine Sake ready. I normally wasn’t much of a drinker, but this day called for celebration.

To eat I made a ramen soup. It was something that took time and work (since it had multiple steps, like when you poured in the vegetables and left them to brew like a tea) but didn’t require more work if made it for multiple kirins. (Or ponies, in this case.) It was also a very loved dish, especially during events, so I was convinced that ponies would like it too.

I had also prepared a variety of different food to add to your soup. The ramens, which I made myself, were the most important ingredient in the ramen soup but there were also more. Tofu slices, soft-boiled eggs, roasted nuts, coriander, fresh chilli, scallions, cut vegetables and beans. Everything stylishly served in kirin styled porcelain bowls.

Next to the food I had also spent time to decorate the living room with flowers, colourful cloth and these things I read that ponies use for parties. Balloons they call them.

All in all, I was ready and not too early it seems because when I looked at the clock it was already past noon. Now it was just a matter of time until the first visitors came. I placed myself on a chair in the kitchen and waited eagerly. I checked the food one final time, just to make sure everything was ready. Yep, everything was set. Everything was ready for the first pony to come. I just had to wait.

Some time had passed, and I was looking out of the window.

So far, no pony had come. I passed the time by watching the ponies walking by. But none of them were the ponies I invited. I gave a worried sigh. I was most likely just a bit nervous and impatient for the guests to arrive. In the end, I invited them over for the afternoon. And it still was afternoon. Nopony (or kirin) said that they had to arrive right at the very beginning. They would come soon.

I was sitting at the kitchen table again and snacking on the roasted nuts. Less because of hunger and more out of boredom and to calm down my nerves. When the guests arrived, I could always make new ones. So far, nopony had arrived yet. Even though the afternoon was slowly passing. To keep the food from going bad I had placed everything in the fridge and had taken the soup off the heat before it all boiled away. It could be heated up again quickly if needed…

How many ponies did I invite? A dozen? They can not all be late, can they? I thought and chewed on a nut. Still, I waited.

The nuts had gone empty long ago and I felt like I could smash the bowl on the wall. I was still sitting at the kitchen table. The sun casted an orange glow through the window. The afternoon had long since passed. And nopony had showed up. Not a single one!

All this preparation, all the invitations, all this bucking excitement I had was for nothing!

Of course they didn’t show up! Why should they?! I am somekirin who was outside of their friend circle. Somekirin new! And everything that is new is scary!

Emotions grew up in me. Disappointment, sadness, anger, hate. And I let it all flow through me. I felt my body ignite. My fur became coal black, my eyes a blind white, and my mane burst into hot blue and red flames. I let the nirik in me out.

Bucking Maren! Bucking ponies! Creatures of friendship and harmony, my flank!

The kitchen table and chairs ignited up and started to burn like I was. I was enraged and not able to control myself. In fact, getting this emotion out felt like just the right thing to do. I released the nirik in me and gave a roar. Fire came out of my mouth as if from a dragon and set more of the kitchen on fire.

I hate this place! I hate these ponies! They just hide themselves behind fake smiles and uninviting chats. And no matter what you try, they never wanted to open themselves! Never wanted to start a friendship! Never wanted to spend time with me! They never wanted to come today, but they were too scared to actually say no! Only keeping up with their bucking maybe!

Now that I recalled it, every time, they use the word “maybe” for no. Every time I asked anypony to spend time together in the future, they just gave a “maybe”. Creative always gave a stupid “maybe” whenever I asked him if he wanted to spend time together later. But had we ever done something? No! These Maren ponies couldn’t just say no! They might act friendly, but they are actually just a bunch of scared, sceptical and isolated creatures.

My nirik fire continued to rage and I let it ho. Everything was smoke, heat and flames, with me at the centre of it all. Only a nirik like I was could survive in here. But everything else around me was already burning. But I couldn’t care less.

This whole village should burn! Why should I care? They don’t care for me neither!

Author's Note

I should say here that this story got a lot inspired by real life. Well, I didn’t burn down my home (luckily!), but just like Spring Frost here I also moved from one home to a new place. Just like in Maren, persons are also very shy, afraid and reserved. And even though I tried, making friends was really really hard. Even building up a conversation became a challenge.

But I don’t want to get too much into details. I just wanted to say this to tell that this story is inspired by real life in cases you also feel a lot like Spring Frost here.

Chapter 7 - Watch it burn

A stream of water hit me in the face with such force that it knocked me off my hooves and threw me to the floor. It was less the cold water more the sudden surprise that doused my anger and extinguished my fire. Turning me from a nirik back to a kirin. As soon as my rage was gone, I was finally able to think clearly again.

I looked around. All of my kitchen was burning. The furniture had long since burned to nothing but ash and coal. The flames had spread to the walls and even the cooking platforms, which were made out of straight iron, was damaged by the heat. And in the meantime there was a stream of water coming through the window, aiming at the flames. The window itself had no more glass. Most likely it had shattered by from the heat.

I had to get out of here. Being a kirin made me immune to fire but it would not save me if this whole building collapsed. I rushed out of the kitchen and opened the door to my house, only for it to hit somepony in the face.

I was at least as surprised as the pony that just got hit by a door and was now laying on the ground, dizzy. The pony had an orange full body fire protection suit on, so I couldn’t even tell if it was a mare or stallion. But their plan had most likely been to get inside.

I took a look at my surroundings. There was a lot more going on. Ponies with orange helmets were running around. Firefighters. One of them, a unicorn, was holding a hose in their magic grip and was shooting water through the kitchen window. The hose was attached to a huge water tank on a cart.

And there were also onlookers… Ponies standing in a half circle around the whole event to see what is going on. I recognised some of my coworkers standing in the crowd but none I would know by name.

“Sir, get away from the house!”, a voice yelled at me.

A fire fighter was coming at me and pushed me away from the entrance. I just did as I was told. I felt like I was in a trance. my brain already felt tired from the rage I felt earlier, and this whole scene just made me feel even more exhausted.

“Is there anypony else in your house? Do we have to send somepony in to save them?”, the firefighter asked me. It was a male voice. Demanding and clear. But I couldn’t tell much more about the pony.

“No. I was the only one in there”, I got out of me. My gaze drifted to the ground.

“Are you sure?”, he followed up.

Of course I am! This is the whole reason why my house is burning now! Because I was hoping so much that somepony would come but nopony showed up!

“Yes. Yes, I am sure.”

I think the firefighter gave a nod. In any case he turned away and gave some new orders to his colleagues.

At that moment I just plopped my rear onto the street. I just couldn't feel angry anymore. I was too tired for it. The fuel for my nirik fire was fully burned out and it just left behind a tired and empty kirin.

At one point a firefighter placed a warm blanket over my shoulders. But that was the only comfort I got. The firefighters were too busy to nurse me, and the onlookers didn’t even make an attempt to reach out to me. They were just here for the show.

It was just me. Sitting there. Alone. Watching my home burn.

It wasn't long before the fire was extinguished, and the only thing left of it was a bit of smoke. Now, even that was gone. I was standing in my house again, and looking at the completely destroyed kitchen.

After an inspection by the firefighters, they have declared the building safe, with no risk of collapsing. It was my good luck that the fire didn’t spread out further than the kitchen. Of course, the stone walls had helped preventing the fire from spreading.

But it was only a little happiness in this misfortune. I still felt broken, sad, depressed. As the fire was brought under control, the herd of ponies slowly shrunk until there was nopony left except me and the firefighters. They had asked me how the fire had started. I hadn’t been in the condition to lie. But some parts I had left out. I hadn’t mention anything about me becoming a creature of fire.

I didn't want word of my nirik side to spread about town. I already knew that tomorrow everypony else would gossip that the house, the one that belongs to the kirin, had burned.

Ididn't want to stand in this blackened kitchen any longer. Like an empty shell I made my way upstairs, to my bedroom and just threw myself on the bed.

And there I cried. All my emotions came up in me again and even the calm bedroom aura was not able to fix this wound. The pain was just too deep.

I was not angry. Not anymore. I was just sad how everything had turned out. How my efforts to make friends here was for nothing. How my hopes got shattered along with these efforts. How nopony cared. How lonely I was now…

I woke up late the next morning. I actually had to go to work, but I couldn't care less. I didn’t have the strength to stand up. I just continued to lay on my side in bed, starring at the wall and being lost in a depressed state of feeling nothing.

Maybe the ponies at work wondered where I was. But I assumed that word of the fire yesterday had spread through the facility. From one friend group to the next. And if that is not a reason to stay at home, then I would just call it a sick day.

I wanted to meditate, to ease the negative emotions in me a bit. But that seemed like too much effort right now. Besides, it wouldn’t have helped anything. The pain I felt was still too present for me to be able to calm myself.

It wasn’t until the late afternoon when I finally decided to get up. Mostly because my bladder called…

After visiting the toilet, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen to take a detailed inventory of the damage I had done.
The door already looked like it would soon fall apart. It had only been pure luck that the fire hadn’t spread into the other rooms, causing more destruction.

The walls and ceiling were completely black and will need restauration. All the furniture, decorations and cabinets were nothing more than ash. The plates, glasses and cups which I kept in the cabinets were shattered just like the window. The kitchen stove, sink and tap partially melted and became nonfunctional. They also need replacement… The fridge was broken and didn't look any better from the outside than the rest of the kitchen.

I opened the fridge. Somehow the food that I had prepared for the party had survived my arson. But the ramen soup, which had been outside of the fridge, was not anymore. That one burned away just like the pot, which now was a molten pile of metal.

I took the bowl with the tofu slices out of the fridge. I held it in my magic grip as I ate some slices. I didn’t feel hungry. I just ate it for the sake of eating at least something. It tasted like nothing.

I had such a good life in Hono. I had friends there. Kirins who I could have time with, talk to and who were there for me. And I gave it all up… Just because I wanted to have a change of scenery. To experience something new… And now I wanted nothing more than to go back. To my real home.

But the truth was, I couldn’t. I still had to pay back the credit to the Equestrian Bank before I could think about moving away again. Not to forget that moving back to Hono would also cost some bits. And on top of that there was this kitchen which now had to be repaired. The costs for this would be enormous. The whole room had to be renovated.

Sure, I could just move away and tell them to kiss my flanks but that wouldn’t solve the problem. I would still be in debt, and they still would have the right to ask for my payment. And in Hono I wouldn’t make enough bits to pay anything back…

In other words, I was stuck here. I still had to work here. I still had to live here. A place I didn't want to be. A village, that only depressed me. A home where I didn't feel welcome. And that for a long time…

Author's Note

Sad kirin noises…

Like always, feel free to write a comment. Positive comments help me to be motivated and negative comments help me to improve the story.

Chapter 8 - Care and don't care

The next day I went back to work. I didn’t feel motivated for it but I knew I couldn’t play sick forever. And I didn’t want to risk losing my job. Especially now since I need an income more than ever.

Of course, nopony asked me during work about the fire. They just all gave me side stares. Stares which told me that they all knew what had happened. And still, nopony came to me and asked about my well-being. But why should they. I was just a random kirin to them. And staying silent while assuming something was so much simpler than actually talking with me about it.

But I preferred to be alone anyways. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with some half hearted friendliness. The positive attitude I had was completely gone. Even during lunch I picked myself a place, away from any other pony while they, like always, sat in their own little groups, isolating themselves from any others.

How could I have once been so blind? My optimisism had given me the feeling that this was a place to make friends and meet new ponies. Instead, I could now feel the stares and distance everypony put between myself and them.

Velvet and Cloak also just sat together in their own little place, along with every other coworker I had ever talked with. Even Quick Rush preferred to sit alone at her table. None of my so called “friends” came over and asked me how I was. Not even to say sorry that they didn’t show up at the party.

I was just alone there and eating my sandwich I picked from the stand since I had no kitchen at home to cook something. I didn’t feel too hungry anyways…

After lunch I had a task to do at a special silk knitting machine while Creative worked on the sewing machine. The problem was that these two were right next to each other and we felt each other's presence the whole time.

But Creative also didn’t talk with me. And I also didn’t see the need to do so. We just worked, side by side, while the tension on his side started to grow. He knew that he had to say something. He knew that he owed me an apology more than any other pony. And he knew that I knew. But of course, he was too shy for it.

Because giving an apology would actually require courage. It is easier to just ignore your mistake, I thought.

But with each passing moment the tension grew, and it started to press more and more on Creative. And the nonstop silence and cold aura I gave off didn’t help at all to calm his nerves. And then it reached the point where he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Hey… uuuuh… I heard your house caught fire yesterday”, he said out of nowhere.

“Yeah”, was all I responded. I didn’t even bother to look up from my task and continued to work on the silk knitting machine.

“Yes… I heard about it yesterday. Is it bad?”, he asked me.

I could feel that he tried to build up a chat. A chat where he could smuggle an apology in between to clear his conscience. But I was unwilling to make it that easy for him. If he wanted to say sorry, he could finally get some balls and say it properly.

“Why do you ask?”, I coldly gave in return, still not making the effort to look at Creative.

“Well, I can imagine that it is kind of a shock when your house burns. And I want to know how you take it. I care about you after all.”

At his words I instantly felt the air around me heat up. The nirik in me called again. But the last thing I wanted was to cause another fire.

I swallowed my anger and finally turned my head in Creative’s direction.

“Don't you lie about caring about me. You didn't care enough to come to my party when I invited you, and you definitely don't care about my feelings. You said you heard yesterday about the fire. So, if you ACTUALLY cared then you could have come to me yesterday after work and offer me help, give some uplifting words or just offer a comforting shoulder. But you didn’t care enough about me.

So tell you what. You ponies, you included, are such a fan of this word MAYBE. So, MAYBE I will talk to you another day.”

With these words I turned my head back to my work. The pegasus was speechless for a moment before he turned his attention back to his own machine.

It was silent again between us. But this time it was a different kind of silence. An aura of shame now hung over Creative. And that gave me a little bit of satisfaction.

Creative didn’t talk to me afterwards. And neither did any other pony.

As soon as work was done, I went straight back home. Past the neighbour who was too scared to even open a door. I made a quick stop at my mailbox. A single letter was inside that had ten stamps on it. The return address told me that it came directly from Hono. My old home!

We didn’t have a post office in Hono, since there was no point in sending a letter in such a small village. But I guess they had one now, to send and receive messages from all over Equestria.

I went inside and opened the envelope with my magic and floated the piece of paper out. The hoof writing already told me that it was Autumn Blaze who wrote the letter.

Hello Spring Frost,

I write this letter in the name of everykirin here in Hono.

How are you? We're doing fine. Well, except for winter flame, who hit her hoof on a door frame today, but besides that there isn't anything big going on right now, like a whole village burning. Oh, and we have some new theatre sketches. All thanks to the ponies who gave us some manuscripts. I tell you, thanks to ponies knowing about us, we got so much new stuff from them. Just like this letter. They said I had to put a stamp on the envelope and so I did. They came in a pack of ten, so I didn’t know if I had to put one stamp or one pack on it.

Anyways, I should wrap this up soon since this paper is not very large. While we enjoy a little bit of pony culture you now literally live in it. We, as in all kirins here, hope you’re doing well and have a happy time in Maren, among all the ponies. How is it? Is their culture a lot different than ours? Is it true that they eat with something called “force” instead of chopsticks?

We decided to write you a letter since you most likely won’t be able to come to Hono for the Ruishou holiday. We all wish you a happy Ruishou day and hope that next year you can come back to celebrate with us. Remember that you will always be welcome here. We miss you a lot, but we also know that this has been the way you wanted to go.

With love

And then followed the signature of every kirin in Hono.

I had to smile at Autumn’s text. But it was a bittersweet smile. This letter was a cruel reminder of what I lost by moving to Maren. Hono was such a great place to live, with so many friends of mine. And I gave it all up for the call of adventure…

I read the letter again and again. Trying to find at least a little bit of comfort in the words. After a while, I floated it to the table in the living room as i flopped on the sofa in disappointment.

I missed Hono so much. It wasn’t really homesickness, it was more the desire to be around kirins who loved me. Kirins who write me a letter to ask about my wellbeing and wish me a happy Ruishou day. (Sure, it had arrived a bit too late, but the thought counted more than anything else.)

I floated some paper, along with a quill and some ink over to me. I knew had to write them something back. But I didn’t know what…

What should I write them. I don't want to tell them how bad my life in Maren is and how sad i feel. But I also don’t want to lie to them.

I had to write the letter in a way that their questions got answered but without them start to worry about me. And most importantly, not in a way that they also got the idea to move away. They should stay in Hono. In the happy kirin village.

I continued to stare at the paper, in the hope that this would give me some sort of idea, how to put everything into right words. But I couldn’t think of anything, nor was I motivated enough to do this task right now.

Besides, there were other things I had to worry about. I still had to hire some builder who would repair my kitchen. And it was best done before winter came and it got too cold. Right now, I had just taped a cardboard box where the window once was. This would work for a little while, but it was already the middle of autumn.

I gave a heavy sign. Right now, I just didn't feel up to doing it. I didn’t feel motivated to do anything. I just wanted to lay on this sofa and do nothing.

Chapter 9 - Golden String

A long time had passed. The days had gotten shorter, the leaves carpeting the ground had been replaced by snow and some days ago there had been Hearths Warming Eve.

It was not a holiday we had known in Hono. So, us kirin had never celebrated Hearths Warming Eve. And here in Maren it was no different for me. It wasn’t like I had anypony to celebrate with. So, instead of spending the night with the ponies (or kirins) you love I had been in my home, reading a book and going to bed early.

Now, all this didn't mean that I had reclaimed my optimistic spirit. I was still unhappy about being in Maren. I didn’t smile anymore. I often felt tired, exhausted and unmotivated. I ate less and had lost a lot of weight. And it felt like I was in my own lonely bubble.

But at least it was not as bad as before. I wasn't carrying the nonstop depression, anger, and sadness i was before. It was more that I had found a stable emotionless medium. I had started to accept the fact that I would be living a lonely life here. It didn’t make the situation better, but it made it at least bearable.

I didn’t even try to approach anypony anymore. I ate alone during work and the relationship with Creative was pretty much on ice. We didn’t talk with each other anymore, except when it concerned work. And when I met new ponies, I didn’t even make the efforts to befriend them. I just ignored everypony and they ignored me (besides all the staring and gossiping they did.)

It had also meant that I learned how to use my time alone. This meant cleaning my home, reading a book, meditating, gardening or shopping. All things I could do without anypony else. I had even started to learn Kiranji, the old kirin language that was used by my kind long ago.

Right now, I was taking a stroll in the park through the winter landscape and making the best out of my otherwise boring free day. I liked how my hooves gave a soft crunching sound when stepping in the snow. I wished that I had somepony else by my side to share this moment.

I gave a sigh. It wasn't like I was now against trying to make friends here. But I had given up hope long ago. And that laid heavy on my shoulders.

I kicked up some snow and decided to return home. The sky was grey and cloudy, which meant that most ponies weren't feeling very motivated to go outside. This made the whole picture of me walking along through the streets even more lonely. Just me in my green wool jacket. Alone in the empty street with houses to the left and right and the only sound were my hoofsteps in the snow.

The way home felt much longer than it actually was and when I finally reached my house I quickly clopped the snow from my hooves, rushed inside and slammed the door behind me. I took another sigh. This time it sounded way more exhausted.

I took off my jacket and stepped into the living room. With my magic I floated the book laying on the couch table to me. “Learning Kiranji in 1000 easy trots” was the title. The book I used to learn the old kirin language.

I gave a look outside of the window. Even through the grey sky you could see that soon it would get dark. Daylight was short in winter.

But the days are already getting longer again. With each passing day it will be closer to spring. And after spring comes summer, I thought.

I had already calculated it. If everything went well, I would have my credit paid back in early summer and then I could leave this place. Back to Hono, my real home. This thought gave me the strength to go on. To continue with this battle, knowing that it would "soon" be over.

That was if I didn’t start another fire in my house. Repairing the kitchen had been expensive and a second time would throw me back even further. This meant that I had to bottle up my negative emotions a lot. Even though my depression made it very difficult. My nirik side had called multiple times to get out. I had to keep it in check. No matter how unhealthy it was. I was just scared that one day it might be too much, and the bottle could just not take it anymore. Everything ending in another fire…

Oh, dear Flames, please send me help…

A knock on the door almost made me jump. I had nearly forgotten that doors could make that sound. I had not gotten a knock on my door since I had moved here. Confused I floated the book back to the table and stepped to the door. I grabbed the door knob with my magic and swung it open.

Outside stood a pegasus mare. She had completely white fur and a long, yellow, open mane that had a golden sheen. She also had a dark and light blue stiped scarf around her neck.

“Hello, nice to meet you. I am Golden String, your new neighbour”, the mare said happily.

I was so surprised that I couldn't even tell what was happening. Even after a short moment I wasn’t able to gather myself.

“Uuuuh… what?”, was the only thing that came out when I was finally able to open my mouth.

“Yeah. You know, the pony living in the house to your left who moved away? I just fully moved in today which makes me your new neighbour”, Golden explained.

I leaned my head out of the door and looked to my left. There was the house of my neighbour. The neighbour who I, since I had moved here, never had seen once. And now, without a goodbye that neighbour was gone.

Well, I shouldn’t be too surprised. That pony has been too scared to open the door when I tried to introduce myself.

“Anyways, I wanted to say hi and introduce myself. So that you know who I am”, Golden continued with a happy tone.

I turned my gaze back to the pegasus mare. She was so happy, optimistic and cheerful.

So naïve. She doesn’t know what kind of ponies live here. That they don’t care how hopeful you are, I thought blandly.

“Oh, okay. Hello then”, I said emotionlessly.

There was a moment of silence between us. Her happy expression fell a bit. Barely noticeable but it still was there. I guessed that she was hoping for a more welcoming neighbour.

This struck a nerve in me. This mare was just like I had been. Offering friendliness and getting a cold shoulder in return.

If I reject her then I am no better than anypony else here, I thought.

I gave a sigh.

“I’m sorry. I… had a bit of a rough day. I’m Spring Frost. Would you like to come inside for some tea?”, I offered as an apology.

Like embers that had been fed a new log, Golden's smile returned to full brightness.

“Tea sounds lovely”, she said and entered my home.

I closed the door behind Golden and saw how she gave a curious look through the entrance. I couldn’t read her expression too well, but I assumed that she mostly approved of what she saw. She took off the scarf and hung it on the nearby rack before I lead her into the kitchen.

The “new” kitchen looked just like it was before the fire. Well, except that it was all new and didn’t have any signs of wear. A fresh painted wall and ceiling, replaced fridge, stove and cabinets, a new table and chairs and it had a window and door again.

Golden took a seat at the table, and I started to heat up a metal teapot full of water.

“I’ll be right back”, I said to Golden and went into the living room. There I used my magic to open a closet and took out a tea set. A set I had brought with me from Hono, and I hung on It very dearly. In Hono, drinking tea with somekirin was a high, artistic and honourable ritual.

I went back into the kitchen and floated the set to the table. Two cups, a teapot, a cup with a lid and the wooden tray. Golden looked at it curiously but didn’t say anything.

When the water boiled I took it from the heat and carried it over to the table. Even though kirins have magic, the tea ceremony had to be done only with hooves. It should take in the energy and art you use for it.

I first filled the cups and pot with hot water to clean and heat it up. Afterwards I poured the water from it into the tray (which was specially built for that) and added some white tea leaves into the lidded cup. I then filled it with hot water, careful not to let it fall directly on the leaves, let it steep for a short moment and then used the lid to only let the tea pour into the teapot. And from the teapot I then filled the two cups.

During this Golden didn’t say one word and just watched with interest. Much to my liking because as the kirin performing the ritual, I was not allowed to say anything. Not before I gave a nod, showing that I was done and the tea ready to drink.

Golden took a cup and took a small sip. Not because of scepticism, instead I could sense that she realised that this whole ceremony was not meant to be rushed.

“That tea tastes excellent”, she said.

“Thank you very much. I have the leaves from my garden”, I explained and took the other cup with my hooves.

“You plant tea bushes?”, Golden asked surprised.

“Yes. I realised that there weren’t any places, where I could get some good tea”, I answered blandly.

"Heh, yes. I can imagine. In Manehattan, where I am from, you had to go into a special tea shop to get the good stuff. But I can imagine that a small village like here in Maren doesn’t got such a shop”, Golden said and took another gentle sip.

There was a moment of silence between us. I wanted to say something but the many days of loneliness seemed to have affected my willingness to speak. Instead, it was Golden who broke the silence.

“So, you are a kirin, right?”

This question stunned me for a moment. Nopony I had met so far had ever known that I was a kirin. Let alone had known that something like kirins even existed.

“You heard of my kind?”, I answered and asked at the same time.

“Well, not much”, Golden admitted. “I read in the newspapers about the kirins. That was during the time when Equestria was under the attack of Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow and creatures all around Equestria were called for help. And one kirin, I think Autumn Blaze was her name, did also appear to fight in the name of friendship. She then gave a veeeeery detailed interview with the news reporters. That interview alone had taken half of a page in the newspaper.

I guess I don't know much about kirins. I know that they look like you and that they are a bit different from pony kind.”

I took a sip of the tea myself and gave a nod.

“Yes, I remember. Autumn Blaze had been called to help during this emergency. There were other kirins as well who went with her, but she was definitely on the front line.

Oh and she loves to talk. I am surprised that they didn’t need a full page to write everything down.”

Golden had to chuckle at my words. (I wasn’t even trying to be funny. I was just honest.)

“Well, why don’t you tell me more about what a kirin exactly is?”, Golden recommended and gave me a smile.

It wasn’t a smile just to be polite, like the ponies here in Maren did. It was an honest smile. Telling me that she was interested, and she wanted to have a chat with me. It instantly filled up my spirit in a way it hadn't been in a long time.

“Well I would love to. Let me start when we had two ponies, Applejack and Fluttershy, have come to our village...”

A long time and many glasses of tea later I finished explaining about kirin kind. Of course, I again skipped everything about the nirik part. I didn’t want Golden to think that I was some sort of dangerous fire demon. Not after she had been the first pony who I actually had a positive relationship with.

“And that is a kirin like I am”, I ended my summarisation.

Golden had been listening the whole time. She sometimes had asked a question.

“Interesting. Your kind seems to have a very different culture but all in all you still are very similar to ponies”, Golden said before turning her head to look out of the window. The sun had set long ago, and it was pitch black outside.

“Oh my Celestia, it is late! And I still have some boxes to unpack! I am sorry Spring to cut this short now, but I should go now.”

I gave a nod in understanding and floated the teacups to the sink.

“It’s alright. I understand. But it was really nice to meet you”, I said and accompanied Golden to the door.

“Indeed. And thank you for the tea”, she said and put on her scarf. “Oh, and in case you need anything, feel free to knock on the door on your left.”

Again I gave a nod.

“I will and if you want you can come again for more tea.”

“Sounds inviting. I definitely will do that”, Golden replied and opened the door to step out into the winter night.

We both gave a short goodbye wave before I closed the door.

My mood was way better now. For the first time, after what felt like an eternity to me, I felt optimistic. But I didn’t want to get my hopes too high. In the end, I had also had the same feeling about other ponies, like Creative. So maybe Golden was just another pony who says that she would show up and in the end never does.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading.

I should say here, that I am not from an Asian country. Everything I write here about the kirin culture is just a mix the Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand culture that I learned from friends or from the internet. Still, it might have some mistakes in it and might not always be 100% correct. So, if anyone knows more than I do, feel free to point out the mistakes. (I really hope I wrote the tea ceremony correctly…)

Chapter 10 - Against all odds

Eight days had passed since I had the surprise visit from Golden, my new neighbour. And even though I loved to think back to the simple but still good time, it fell more and more into the background. Let’s just say, I had little hope that she would come again for tea.

So, instead of looking forward to something that might never happen, I put my focus on my everyday business. Get up, work, spend the evening alone, sleep.

What a life, I thought.

Right now, I was sitting in the cafeteria and eating a canapé and an apple from the lunch stand. The energy it provided was nowhere near enough to get me through the day, but I had lost my appetite a long time ago. That along with much more.

When I had lost my positive spirit, it had also taken my motivation with it. I didn't go outside as much as I used to, put less joy in cooking, spent more time just lying around and paying less attention to my health. Just to name a few things.

I gave a sigh and started to draw with my hooves some invisible Kiranji signs on the table. Freshly learned yesterday. It was something I still did to keep me at least a little bit busy. Mostly because I could execute it while laying around lazily.

I looked up and spotted Quick Rush. Just like me she was also, like always, sitting alone. But I had figured out a long time ago that, unlike me, she had friends. This was more because she had no friends HERE. She actually has a group of friends she had known (of course) for years. The only problem is that they don't work here in the textile mill. All of them worked somewhere else.

So, Quick spent her time here, alone, and after work she could have her social time. And instead of gathering some courage and trying to find some new friends during work, she preferred to spend the time alone and doing something else. Just like now, as she was reading the newspaper.

I rolled my eyes and continued to paint more Kiranji signs on the table with my nonexistent ink. There was no point in dwelling on such things. It wouldn’t make it better. Even worse, it would just depress me more.

After some more drawings lunch time was over and I went back to work. Since I was fully incorporated there wasn’t much reason for me to talk with Creative or any other coworker anymore. This meant that I often did my task alone and in silence. This didn’t mean that we hated each other, but our “friendship” was just based on proximity. We were friendly to each other, were able to have a meeting, helped each other out when needed and had even had some nice chats here and there.(Except with Creative.) But that was all.

And today wasn’t much different. Fulfilling my task until the work hours were over and then everypony went their own way.

Including a single kirin who also makes his way back home, I thought.

And that’s what I did. I walked through the snow filled streets and the only “interaction” I had was the glares the ponies gave me. Sure, I had lived here since summer and everypony had seen me at least once, but these side glares were as much a part of the inhabitants of Maren as swimming is for a Koi fish.

As I trotted past my neighbour’s house, the one Golden now lived in, I gave it a quick examination. It looked exactly the same and nothing said that there was a new pony living there now. But to be fair, I never saw more of the house than the outside.

I shrugged it off and instead made my way to my front door. I stepped inside, used my kirin magic to float my winter jacket to the racket and gave a look through my own four walls.

There was actually a huge mess in my home. Or at least huge by my definition. Dishes laying dirty in the sink, the books I had read were just lying on the sofa or the couch table, the floor needed sweeping and some furniture to be cleaned of dust. Besides of all the things I lost motivation for, cleaning was also one of them. Sure, I never had enjoyed cleaning too much but in Hono tidiness had been very important to me.

“A clear home means a clear mind”, was something I had always said.

I gave a heavy sigh and floated the broom out of the corner (that had also gathered some dust) with my kirin magic.

Better get it done. It’s not like I have something better to do, I thought and started with my chores while humming an old kirin melody.

Cleaning a whole house took a while but sooner or later I had just one room remaining. The bedroom. I opened the door and stepped inside. Like always it was quiet in there. Quiet with a calm aura of nothing. But since that day when I had hosted the Ruishou party, had burned my kitchen down and then had laid here in the bed to cry… Since that day I had my huge melt down and had felt depressed, the aura in here had been infected. There was also this feeling of sorrow and pain now in the air now. Barely noticeable but it was here and broke the silence. Like a dripping faucet.

Since that day it was hard for me to meditate in the bedroom. No matter how much I tried, my mind was unable to find peace in here again. And even though I had tried to fix this aura, balance it with positive spirits, I had never been able to. Most likely because there wasn’t much positive energy, I could give to it...

Since then, I was also not too keen on going into my bedroom. The corrupted aura bothered me more than it should since I didn't enter the room except to sleep. But that didn't stop the dust from settling or the sheets from getting smelly. No matter how little time I spent in here, this room still needed cleaning like every other place.

It would make it all better if I had a more positive mood, I thought.

And as if it was summoned, there was a knock on the front door.

This cannot be! This has to be somepony else! But not Golden! It's impossible, it can't be her! she said that she would show up again, but it can't be her, I thought doubtfully.

But still, deep inside I hoped that it was the happy pegasus mare. I just didn't want to get my hopes up if it turned out to be a ding dong ditch or a firefighter who somehow forgot their helmet in my kitchen. (Even though I was pretty sure this was not the case.)

Still, I noticed an increased speed in my trots as I made my way down the stairs. And indeed. As I opened the main door the sight of a white pegasus with a long golden mane greeted me.

“Hello again Spring. I am here to collect the tea you promised me”, Golden greeted me with a smile.

Her positive mood spread to me faster than fire through a dry forest and I had to smile too.

“I actually didn’t think you would come again”, I said honestly. There was no reason for me to hide the truth.

“Yes, sorry about that. I wanted to come sooner, but the last few days have been very busy. Arrange the furniture, start working on the new place and doing some shopping. You know how it is when moving to a new place”, Golden responded.

“Yes, I understand. It is just that when living here… never mind…”, I broke off my own sentence while giving Golden some space to invite in. Luckily, she stepped inside without questioning it any further.

“Wow, you have it clean in here. Special made for me or are all kirins so proper?”, Golden asked and placed her blue striped scarf, the same one as last time, on the rack.

“Let’s say, you are a bit lucky”, I answered and closed the door.

“Still. Not every day you enter into a home of somepony who keeps order”, Golden said and then made a short pause as realisation hit her. “Wait, Is somepony the right term now? Or should I say somecreature?”

This made me also think a bit. Nopony had ever asked me that. They always had gone with the word “somepony” to me without even questioning it.

“Somekirin, if you want to be correct. But you can also say somepony. I will not mind.” Again, I answered honestly.

Golden gave a nod in understanding and made her way to the kitchen. I followed but not without floating the tea set from the living room with me.

Golden took a seat and just like last time I prepared the tea ceremony. Brining water to the boil, washing out the tea set, carefully combining the water with the tea leaves and then pouring it into the tea pot. That all without the use of magic and without saying anything. And just like last time, Golden also didn’t say a single word. Which was something I was really grateful for.

It wasn’t until I gave a nod with my head that she took up her cup and gave a small sip.

“Different tea than last time?”, she asked.

“Not really”, I admitted. “I don’t have too many tea bushes. This one just had a longer dry process which might give it a different taste than last time.”

Golden gave a nod and another small sip.

“So, how have your first days been here in Maren”, I carefully tried to approach. I was unsure what kind of respond I would receive.

“Oh very different”, Golden started to tell. “You see, I moved here from Manehattan. A huge city full of skyscrapers. This here is kind of the opposite of what I am used to. A small, unknown, half country village. But I guess that is what I was hoping for.”

“How so?”, I continued to ask.

“Well, Manehattan is a great city, don’t get me wrong. But that’s also what it is. A city. It is loud, crowded, stressful and the only tree you will see is when you go in a park. I guess I was just not made for the big city life. So, I have always dreamed of moving somewhere else. To move into a small and quiet village.”

Golden gave me a smile. It was another one of those smiles that felt warm and welcoming. A true smile.

She is so open, friendly, cheerful and always carries this positive aura with her. She is so different from every other pony I have met so far. Very much the opposite of the ponies here in Maren, I thought.

For a moment I considered if I should ask her about it. If she also felt the distance the ponies had here. If this was just here in Maren or if everypony in Equestria was like that and she was just an exception. But I didn’t know how I could ask this in the right way, without making it sound offensive or racist. So, I dismissed the idea.

“And what made you choose Maren?”, I asked instead. But also, with the hope that when we would talk more about Maren, Golden might mention something about the inhabitants.

“Simple! The job. I am an instrument manufacturer. Mostly string instruments but I also have knowledge with other types. And with such skills, it is hard to find a job. Luckily Maren has a small factory where they produce instruments and a very good paying one as well. So yes, I applied for a job and had the luck of getting the house next to yours. And so I ended up here, as your new neighbour.”

I gave a confused look.

“I didn’t know Maren had a place where they produce instruments”, I admitted and refilled our teacups.

I had taken many walks through Maren, but I had never seen any instrumental factory. (Or however this is called.) But maybe I just didn’t pay too much attention. I liked music but it wasn’t my strong suit.

“It’s a small and inconspicuous building. Barely recognizable when looking at it from the outside. Not too far away from here. But well, what is not far away from here? That is the advantage of living in a small village”, Golden laughed and thankfully took a sip from her newly filled cup.

“Still, must have been hard to decide to move here”, I said.

Golden’s smile faded a bit.

“Of course it was. As said, Manehattan is great, but I don’t like to live in a big city. A small village like here, this is more what I prefer. But still, I grew up in Manehattan and called that place home since forever. Of course it’s a big step to leave it.

But besides that, I also have my friends and family still in Manehattan. The ponies I love and care about and who also care about me. Sure, we will write letters to each other, and I plan to visit them from time to time but it is not the same. Leaving them behind was maybe the hardest part of all. I mean, don't you miss your kirin friends back in Hono?”

My expression also hardened as I tired not to show my sorrow when thinking back to my old kirin village. Still. I had to look away.

“Yes, I do”, I said.

More than you can imagine…

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading.

Remember that comments are like food for autors. Positive reviews give motivation to keep us going and negative reviews are able to tell were the story can be improved.

Chapter 11 - Golden time

Golden and I had continued our chat for a good while until she had to call it a night. But she had also promised to come again in four days. Well, no surprises there, I was rather looking forward to it. It has been a really long time since I had been in such high spirits. Like a foal counting the days until its birthday. And today had been the day.

As soon as work was done, I had rushed through the snow to get home.

I opened the door, quickly stepped in and used my kirin magic to float my winter jacket on the rack. Golden had said last time we had seen each other, that she would come when she finished work. But I had no idea when that exactly would be. But since I wanted to be ready for my guest of honour, I had to be fast to get things done. In the end, not only did I enjoy the enjoy the times I had spent with Golden, but she was also the only pony here who I could see myself becoming friends with.

So, I went straight to the kitchen and started to prepare. This time I also wanted to serve some little tea cakes that we could enjoy with our hot drink. Luckily, I still had some matcha powder left to give it some nice flavour. The powder was quickly running out, and I wouldn’t be able to get anymore until spring, when my garden was blooming again. But for Golden I was more than willing to use some of what I have left.

Instead of making one big cake, I went with multiple small ones so that they were done sooner. But it still gave me enough time to prepare the tea set while they were baking. Just as I was using my magic to take the matcha cakes out of the oven, the now familiar knocking sound came from the entrance.

“Coming!”, I said and placed the hot plate So, I went straight to the kitchen and started to prepare. This time I also wanted to serve some little tea cakes that we could enjoy with our hot drink. Luckily, I still had some matcha powder left to give it some nice flavour. The powder was quickly running out, and I wouldn’t be able to get anymore until spring, when my garden was blooming again. But for Golden I was more than willing to use some of what I have left.

“Coming!”, I said and placed the hot plate safely on the counter.

I walked to the main door and opened it. And was immediately greeted with a snowball to the face.

“Got you!”, Golden laughed.

She balanced a snowball on one of her wings while she used the other one to hide her smirk. With out much success.

“Hey! what was that for?”, I asked while I shook the snow from my face.

“Oh don’t be like that. This is just a little snow. Or are kirins scared of a little water?”, Golden said and threw the other snowball at me.

But this time I was prepared. I grabbed the snowball out of midair with my magic and threw it right back at the sender. Golden only had time to open her eyes in shock before it was her who got hit by the snowball.

“Hey, magic is not fair!”, she objected and spit out some snow.

“Says the one who attacks while I was not prepared”, I said proudly.

“It’s called the element of surprise. But fine, I will let this one slide. Are you coming?”, Golden said, and offered a smile in peace.

“Coming? Where? I thought you came for some more tea?”, I asked confused.

“Sure am. But do you just want to sit around, talk and drink tea? We can do that later. Let us walk around a bit and enjoy the last light of the winter sun. Besides, tea we can have all year, snow we have only for a limited time.”

She had a point. The snowy landscape was very inviting for a stroll and the tea could wait for later. So, I floated my winter jacket back and put it on. And soon after I and Golden trotted side by side through the winter streets.

It was mostly me taking the lead. I didn't want many of the townsponies to see us together and start gossiping about it, so l stuck to alleyways, where we were less likely to encounter passersby.

The two of us just walked in silence through the streets of Maren. Still, it wasn’t an awkward silence. It was more that we enjoyed the moment together. Feeling the chill air, watching the snow filled surroundings and listening to the soft crunching sounds our hoofsteps made.

“In Manehatten we didn’t have so much snow”, Golden said, breaking the silence. “But you can bet that when we did, it was the highlight of the year.”

“It was no different in Hono. Kirins love snow. Especially the young ones. It also made for good levitation magic practice when they had a snowball fight”, I remembered.

“Yes, I remember you told me that all kirins have a horn and the access to magic. No wonder you never heard of the no-magic rule”, Golden said and playfully stuck her tongue out at me.

“I saw you use your wings. Why should I not be allowed to use my magic, but you are allowed to use your wings?”

“Because your magic would give you an unfair advantage. I on my side am not allowed to use my wings to fly. But I am allowed to carry or throw snowballs with them”, Golden explained but I guessed that these words were not entirely true.

“Suuuure. You’re just jealous that you can’t do this”, I said and floated up some snow only to let it drop right on Golden’s head.

she, for her part opened her eyes wide in shock. But she quickly recovered herself.

“Hey! Well, I can do this instead”, she said, extending her wings and gave a strong flap.

A power, that I didn't expect her to have, caused a strong wind and with that the snow in front of her was blown up into a snow tsunami. The whole wave hit me with full force, turning me into a snow kirin with two eyes poking out.

And from that point the snow war had begun. With one laughing pegasus and kirin as the only participants. Sometimes ponies would walk by and give us, two adults acting like foals, a strange look (which was actually very true) but we couldn’t care less. And we didn't stop until the cold winter night had fallen leaving us two fully exhausted and white from snow.

“Brrr, it gets cold when the sun goes down”, Golden said and rubbed her wings at her body but with a huge grin on her face.

“To be fair, you don’t wear much. I only see you walking around with a scarf”, I chuckled and pointed on the blue striped scarf around her neck. The same one she always had.

“I thought my winter fur could handle it. Beside I didn't know that it would end up in a snowball fight”, she responded.

“Here, wait a moment”, I said, took off my winter jacket and floated it to her. “Take this until we’re home.”

“No way! You have to keep yourself warm too”, Golden refused.

“Oh don’t worry about me. I can take a little cold and if it is getting too much you can just make me angry”, I joked.

“What do you mean?”

…

I could have hit myself for this slip-up. I didn’t want to tell Golden about my nirik side. That kirins burst into flames when they become angry. I was too scared that she might get afraid from me, and I would lose the only friend I had.

“Oh you know… When you’re angry you get heated up. Isn’t that a saying you ponies use?”, I tried to play it off.

“Ah yes, I see”, Golden said. “Well, I wouldn’t like to make you angry. So in that case, kind offer but still no. Keep the jacket and instead let us just swiftly go home. If you make some hot tea to warm up, that would already be enough.”

I gave a nod.

Dodged this…

“I have to admit, I never really walked around Maren”, Golden said while holding a cup of steaming tea in her hooves.

“Didn’t have time yet?”, I asked and ate some of the tea cakes.

“A bit of that too yes. But another reason was because I couldn’t find somepony who wanted to come along. And I didn’t feel motivated to go alone”, Golden said.

These words immediately reminded me of my first days in Maren. When I was always asking Creative if he wanted to show me around the village. And it never happened…

“Haven’t you asked somepony else to accompany you?”, I carefully asked.

“I did, but everypony I asked was busy and they would accompany me another time. But to me it felt like there was a different reason. Like they were trying to keep some distance from me”, Golden explained.

I gave a nod.

“Yes, I know what you mean. Before I moved here, I was taught that ponies are creatures of harmony and friendship. But I guess this is not the case. They are reserved, shy, scared and distance towards strangers. Since I've lived here since summer, I haven’t made a single friend so far. Or anything even remotely close” I signed.

Golden slowly placed her cup down and gave me a deep and unreadable look.

“Do you think that all ponies are like this? Reserved and distant I mean.”

Her words made me pause a bit. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, but I also didn’t know what the right words were. So, I just went with honesty.

“Before I met you, I would have said yes. You are the first pony who is so welcoming. You are the first pony I feel some sort of friendship connection with. But maybe… you are just an exception. So… I don’t know…”

Golden kept up her stare for a while but then gave a deep sigh.

“I’m sad that you think that way. But I do understand why you think that way. Believe me when I say that the rest of Equestria is different. I guess from all the pony places you could move to, Maren was the wrong one. Don’t get me wrong, they are friendly and kind here. But it takes a long time to get through their thick shell and build up a friendship. Before I left Manehattan I heard that the inhabitants of Maren were a little shy. But that it was this bad surprised me. It’s not because you’re a kirin. I haven't been here as long as you have, but I can also feel what you mean.”

I looked into my teacup like I could somehow find the answers within.

“I know that they are not racist. They don’t try to hurt me. It’s just the way they are. But that doesn’t mean I do not feel left out and lonely.” I then looked back at Golden. “What would you recommend I do?”

This time it was Golden who had to think before answering.

“I would say, you cannot change how the ponies in Maren think or act. But don’t treat the world like it does you. Don't let your surroundings get you down or even change who you are. Be loyal to yourself. It’s simpler to face the world and your problems when you are yourself and not when you are somekirin you are not.”

I let her words sink into me and in the end, I had to admit she was right. I recalled the first time I met Golden and the only reason why she was here was because I wanted to treat her like… I would treat her. And not like the rest of Maren would.

“But, or course, it is easy for me to say this. I didn't had such problems like you. For me it was easy find a good friend here”, Golden finished and gave me a smile.

Author's Note

I am sorry for the one-week delay. Christmas time had been busy for me and I just could get another chapter done. For now, the chapters should come regular again.

Thank you all for reading and feel free to give all sort of reviews.

Chapter 12 - Being me

“Hello Creative, how are you?”

Creative lifted his head from his work and looked at me surprised. He clearly didn’t expect such a friendly voice from me after my long held cold attitude.

“Good, thank you”, Creative replied.

To be honest, it still took a lot of willpower. But I wanted to follow Golden’s advice from yesterday. She was right after all. I hadn’t really been myself for a long time. And in order to find happiness again, I had to find myself again. I had been cold, distant and irritable. Not only to Creative, but also everypony in Maren.

Yet like Golden had said to me yesterday, I couldn’t change the personality of everpony. But being sour all the time for it wasn’t healthy nor did it solve anything. It only made it worse.

My goals were to be myself again. To be the happy Spring Frost I used to be. Not only because my life had been better with the little interactions I had instead of having none at all. I did it because I face MY life and MY problems better being MYSELF. And not somekirin I am not.

“What have you been up to lately?”, I asked the pegasus and got to work on the sewing machine next to him.

Of course, that didn’t mean I would be friends now with Creative. For that I was just not able to fully forgive him. I still wouldn’t get an apology from him. And he still knew that he owed me one. He would pretend nothing ever happened. This was the simplest solution with the least interactions. But that didn’t mean it was the right way.

But let’s say, the fire of anger towards Creative was now gone and replaced with a burned landscape that still needs a lot of time to fully recover.

“Oh, nothing big, I have a vacation coming up”, Creative said.

“Oh really? Will you go somewhere specific?”

“And that is how you make egg fried rice. It’s super easy and still tastes very good. Plus, you can use old rice from the previous day if you have leftovers. If you ever go to Hono, you could ask anykirin and I am sure they could make a portion.”

Quick gave a slow nod as I finished my recipe for egg fried rice. It was lunch break, and I decided, instead of sitting alone, to take a place opposite of Quick Rush. I also haven’t talked with her for a long time and just like Creative, she hasn’t changed a bit. She still was unsure around me and there was this reserved aura she had. I don’t know if she ever would be willing to open herself to me. Most likely not.

But I didn’t let myself worry too much about it. I tried to interact as best with her as possible, but still give her the space she needs so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

“I see… uuuh… don’t you have to drain your rice?”, Quick asked shyly.

I looked at her, a bit shocked.

“But you lose so much flavour and starch when doing this. You do not drain rice! Why would you?”

Quick gave a barely noticeable shrug and said: “I… have to get rid of the water somehow. When I cook rice I fill a pot up with water, bring it to a boil, add salt and the rice and when the rice is done, I drain it.”

Oh dear Flames…

“This is rice, not pasta!”, I said shocked.

Dear Spring Frost

It is me, Maple Brown. This time it is me writing the letter, so you don’t always have to read Autumn’s hoof writing and hear from somekirin besides just her. Sure, she loves to write to you about everything that happened, I mean, you know her and how much she enjoys talking, but she understood.

Anyways, thank you for your last letter. Your new neighbour sure sounds nice and we all are sure you two will become good friends. We always enjoy hearing from you and your adventure in the pony world. Forest Fall and I actually took a trip through Equestria by both boat and train. And yes, I have to agree, pony places are like a completely different world. The train ride alone, an object moving on its own through the landscape for such a long distance. Both of us were blown away.

We went to Baltimare and there too, we were stunned. Buildings higher than the tallest tree, new strange technology and culture, far different than Hono. I could talk hours about it but then, you already know this since you are the kirin, living in such a strange new world.

I might feel a little envy, but I have to say, Hono also has its charm. Besides, we are getting more and more pony culture in Hono. Mostly trade goods but also other stuff. For example, they've built a proper train station at the foot of the mountain because we sometimes get pony tourists.

Don’t get me wrong, Hono is not the new hotspot for ponies. Everything will still be the same if you come for a visit. But it is nice that we have such a strong and healthy bond with the ponies. They sure are very friendly and very interested in us. They even made some new stamps with a nirik on it. Specially for us! I have used one for this envelope to show you.

Anyways, I get now why Autumn also complains about the short size of the paper because I too have to shorten it. How are things going with your new neighbour? You wrote in your last letter that she is from Manehattan. Is she able to tell us something about that city?

With love

And again, the signatures of all kirins followed. I folded the letter and took a look at the envelope. Indeed, the stamp (I had told them that they didn’t need to use ten for it) showed a jumping nirik. Coated in black with a blue and red flame and fully white eyes. It was very detailed and accurately drawn but I still couldn’t tell who it should be.

Could be Pumpkin Smoke, I thought.

A knock on the door interrupted me. I already knew who that would be.

I floated the letter and envelope on the living room table as a reminder that I have to write one back to Hono.

I used my magic to open the door and the familiar sight of a golden maned pegasus mare greeted me. With her, she also carried a flat cardboard box on her back.

“Pizza delivery!”, She cheerfully said.

“What?”, was the only thing I got out.

“Pizza. Classical Manehattan pizza. Or at least I tried to make one. It is self-made so don’t judge when it is not as good”, Golden replied and pressed past me through the door. “A little offer from my side for all your invites, tea and cake.”

I gave her a look that made it clear that none of my questions got answered.

“What is pizza?”

Golden, who now had walked fully past me, froze in place, turned her head and looked at me with shocked eyes.

“You have never eaten pizza before?! Do you kirins live on the moon or do you just don’t know how to make good food?”, she asked me.

“Yeah sure. As far as I remember you didn’t complain about my tea cakes. And only two days ago I learned how you ponies cook rice”, I said and used my magic to take the cardboard box from Golden’s back.

“Fair”, Golden admitted and pointed at the living room. “Mind if we eat the pizza on the sofa? Has a bit of a nostalgic feeling for me. I often shared pizza with my friends while we sat in the living room.”

“Not at all. I will grab some plates from the kitchen. Do we need chopsticks for the pizza?”, I asked as I went into the kitchen.

“Only if you want to stab my eyes with them so I don’t have to see it!”

I had to chuckle at Golden’s joke and floated two plates out of the kitchen cabinet.

“Spring, there is a letter on the table. You don’t mind if I remove it, do you?”, Golden yelled from the living room.

“Not at all. If you want, you can read it. Maple Brown wrote it. She is an old kirin friend from Hono”, I said back.

When I entered the living room, I saw Golden finish reading the letter and look at the envelope.

Dear Flames, the nirik part! I completely forgot about it, shot through my head.

“Interesting stamp. It says in the letter that this is a nirik. But what exactly is a nirik?”, Golden asked.

“Oh, this is uuuh… a creature of fire that lives also in Kirin Grove... They’re very... emotional”, I explained. I didn't lie, I just… hid the truth.

“Well, that one sure looks emotional angry. And look at these flames. I wouldn’t like to meet one of these. Didn’t know you lived so dangerously back in Hono”, Golden laughed. “They look a bit like a kirin. Is that the reason why their name is kirin spelled backwards?”

“Yeah… we are… very close to the niriks. They sometimes can be unwelcomming. But we try to keep them in check…”

Golden seemed to be satisfied with my answer and laid the letter and envelope to the side to make some space for the pizza. I floated the cardboard box on the table and the two of us sat on the sofa.

With a proud grin Golden opened the box, and a smell hit my nose that made my mouth water. Inside was a round but flat bread with a red sauce and melted cheese on the top. That all was cut into eight pieces. I had never ever seen something like that before. But it looked yummy.

“I didn’t know what topping you like so I didn't use any. Just sauce and cheese. That way it doesn’t have something you do not like”, Golden explained.

“And how do you eat this now?”, I stupidly asked.

“With hooves”, Golden said and demonstrated it by taking a slice with her hooves. One grabbing the underside of the dough and one held the end, the bottom. She then took a bite from the cheese and red sauce bread.

Even though I could have used my magic (which would have been way simpler) I wanted to get the full experience out of it and did the same thing my friend did.

“Oh dear Flames…”, was the only thing I was able to tell after I took a bite.

“Hehe. From the expression I can say that you like it”, Golden chuckled.

With one single bite the whole slice disappeared in my mouth.

“Yuu ‘av’ do giv’ ee ge ‘ecige fo’ shad!”, I barely was able to get out of my full mouth.

“Slow down, hotshot”, Golden laughed. “First swallow, then talk.”

I realised what I just did and chewed with a guilty feeling until my mouth was empty again.

“I’m sorry. I lost myself there a bit. This pizza is so good that I forgot the pony etiquette. Kirins have a different one than you.”

"No harm done. I take it as a compliment”, Golden waved off but still had to chuckle a bit. “But sure, I can give you the recipe for this. How about this, in three days I do not have to go to work. So how about I come over and show you how to make your very own pizza?”

“Sounds like a deal I can only benefit from”, I meant.

And with that it was settled.

Author's Note

Well the preview year was marked with conflicts, war and politcal dilemmas. It was a year we do not like to think back. But then, it still is imporant that we do. Leaern from the past, look into the future. And with that i wish you a happy 2025.

Chapter 14 - My nirik side

In two days the kirin new year would start and with that the party I had planned with Golden. I was quite excited for it. The last “party” I threw was the one on Ruishou day. And that party had ended when nopony had shown up and I had burned down my kitchen in anger… But this time I knew it would end differently. I trusted when Golden said she would show up. Even if it would just be the two of us, would have a great time celebrating.

But like I said, that would be in two days and for today I wanted to start with the preparations. And that included the shopping. From work I was able to buy some red fabric that I would use later to make some decorations. But I also needed food.

As I walked through the streets on my way to the next store, I floated the shopping list in front of me to double check if I had everything written down.

… ginger, sesame seeds and pemelos citrus fruits… if they have that.

“Why do you talk so negatively about him?”

My ears perked up.

Was that Golden’s voice? I thought.

But In reality, I knew that it was her. I would always recognise her voice. It just surprised me that she sounded so… offended? Angry? She also sounded close.

I peeked around the next corner and indeed, there she stood. Right in front of the shop where I wanted to buy my groceries, talking with another mare, who I didn’t know. The mare was a unicorn, a bit smaller in size and had wine-red fur with a short brown, orange mane.

“It’s not talking negatively about him. It’s just sharing the facts. You seem to spend a lot of time with him, and I want to make sure that you know about something like this”, the mare said to Golden.

The two hadn’t seen me yet. I swiftly ducked back behind the corner. I knew that it was impolite to eavesdrop, but it sounded like they were talking about me…

“You aren't sharing facts right now. You're spreading gossip”, I heard Golden say.

“But everypony else in Maren says that”, the mare defended.

“That doesn’t make it true. Facts are when there is proof that backs up your words.”

I took a quick peek around the corner again. Golden wasn’t raising her voice much. But I knew her well enough to notice the tension in her words.

“But it also doesn’t say that it is wrong. As far as I know, it was Light Blue who was talking about it. He is Spring’s other neighbour. Meaning if you live on the left, Light lives on the right. He saw fire coming out of the kitchen on the day spring had his party. And in his words, it wasn't normal flames. Instead, the were unnaturally blue and red”, the mare explained.

So they were talking about me. And the fire I had caused during the Ruishou party…

“But they firefighters also said that it was strange”, the unicorn continued. “When this kirin came out of the burning house there wasn't a single scratch on him. No bruises, no burned fur and no smoke inhalation. Nopony knows what exactly happened on that day and sure, there isn't any proof or facts, but I still think that when there are so many ponies agreeing on something, then it is worth it to be at least a little bit careful about it. Especially you, Golden, somepony who is so close to Spring and is now heading to one of his parties.”

So, that is what it was all about. I had already known that my kitchen accident was known all over Maren. (It had enough onlookers after all.) But now I knew that they sensed something strange. And of course, they assumed that I had something to do with it. And like they were, they started to gossip about something they assumed. And this time, they were actually right… And now Golden knew about it too. My best and only friend now knew how dangerous I was…

“All of you just assumed you know what happened. Spring has been nothing but friendly and kind the whole time I've known him. Like you said, nopony knows what happened. But also, nopony has actually cared enough to ask him what happened. Your rumours have such a hold on you that you have started to believe them. And now you just have a prejudice towards him without even knowing the real him. Without even knowing the details or the truth.”

Even though her voice didn't carry too much emotion, it still made my heart light up with hope. At least a little bit. Deep inside I still felt the fear i had. I peeked around the corner again and saw that Golden had walked away from the mare now. Leaving her standing there without saying another word.

I took this as a personal sign to go also. I didn’t have my groceries but I could get them tomorrow. I wasn’t in the mood or condition for anything else.

“Thank you for taking me on such short. I felt a little stressed and really could use some calming tea of yours”, Golden said after taking the first sip of her tea.

I just gave a nod and also took a taste of the brew. It was later the same day and the talk between Golden and the mare still were weighed heavily on me.

How much was Golden affected by the words? Did she truly not believe them? I worried.

“Are you alright? You seem a bit distracted.”

Golden’s word ripped me out of my thoughts. Of course, she knew that something was bothering me. She knew me too well after all.

“Oh yes… I’m just… thinking about something.”

Golden looked at me and I knew that she knew. I was not not telling her everything.

“You know, you can talk with me about it”, she offered.

“It’s alright”, I just said.

I knew I still had to tell her the truth sooner or later. That kirins can turn into a nirik. That I could turn into a creature of rage and pure fire that is able to burn houses down. But how could I? What would she think of me afterwards?

Maybe it is just better if I pretend this never happened. Forgetting the fact that I saw Golden and that Mare literally talking about the fire I caused. Maybe then I can also hide the fact that I am…

“Another question. Why does your kitchen look so much newer than the rest of your house? It seems to me like this whole room once had a whole renovation.”

I nearly dropped my cup. I looked at Golden and she looked at me, waiting for my answer. I broke under her gaze and stood up. There were still some dirty dishes on the kitchen counter that had to be cleaned. It also allowed me to turn my back towards Golden. Too heavy were her look and my emotions right now.

“Oh, there was a fire once. A little accident. They had to renovate the kitchen afterwards”, I admitted. Again, hiding the truth.

But Golden didn’t let herself fooled. Never EVER have I left the table in the middle of a tea ceremony. This was a no go. And even though I had never told her that, she knew it…

“And how did this fire happen?”, she asked directly.

And that was the straw that broke me. It had no use to hide it anymore. I turned around and looked her with teary eyes.

“I did it! I turned into a nirik and burned all the kitchen down because of anger and hate!”, I yelled.

“You turned into a nirik?”, Golden asked a bit confused.

“Yes! The creatures of fire and emotions I told you about. There actually are no niriks. Or better, all kirins are also niriks. We turn into them when we get angry, offended or stressed! We burst into flame, able to burn everything and everypony! Yes, what the mare said to you today is all true!”

I could smell how I started to smoke. I felt cornered. Cornered by the truth, my own emotions and the fear of losing Golden. My best friend and secret crush. My light of fire in the darkness.

I could barely hold back my tears anymore. Which only made me more stressed.

“What do you mean?”, Golden asked with a surprisingly calm voice.

“I saw you talking today in front of the grocery shop”, I admitted. “I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help myself. Yes, the rumours are true! I started the fire after I hosted the Ruishou party and nopony showed up! I felt angry, alone, sad and that all came up in me. I was filled with rage and my blue and red flames burned the entire kitchen!”

I could feel the first flames tingle around my mane as more tears came out of my eyes. Regardless, Golden stood up and took some careful steps towards me.

“And why didn’t you tell me?”, she wanted to know.

“Because I didn’t want you to be scared of me. That I could burn you in rage. You are everything I have here in Maren. I didn’t want to lose you because you saw me as something dangerous.”

Golden paused briefly before she said: “Do you remember when I told you that you should be loyal to yourself and not let your surroundings change who you really are?”

I gave a nod, unsure where she was going with this.

“Do you see yourself as something that would burn me?”, Golden asked.

…

“I… I don’t know”, I honestly said.

“Well, I do know. You know the danger of your flames, but you would never try to hurt somepony with it. More of the opposite. Just look at yourself right now”, Golden ordered.

I did as she told me. Even though my sight was blurred from the tears in my eyes I still could see how the first flames were dancing on my mane. But I also found myself cowered deep in the corner of the kitchen. Huddled like a scared animal and as far away from Golden as possible. I didn’t even notice that I had ended up there...

“I know that you wouldn’t hurt me. You would do everything in your power to prevent it”, Golden said and took a few more steps towards me. "You don’t scare me, Spring."

And with that I felt my stress vanish. I felt the nirik inside me fully disappear and with that my flames. I fully started to cry now, unable to tell why now. Most likely because of relief, exaustion and joy.

Golden closed the last small gap between us and wrapped me in a hug.

Author's Note

Yes, I know, this whole scenario could have led into a way more interesting drama that could have expanded over multiple chapters. But I don’t want to write the story too long and it already felt like the bond between Spring and Golden were so strong that she wouldn’t leave him for something silly like that.
Anyways, feel free to write a comment what you think.

Chapter 15 - A night together

Happy new year! At least for all kirins, today, the new year started. And I was happy to celebrate this day with Golden. In Hono this day was a holiday but I was well aware that in Maren, a village with pony traditions, this was just a normal day. So, it was a bit stressful for me to rush home from work and make the last preparations. Lucky me, I didn’t have to work tomorrow.

But it all had gotten sorted out in the end. The decorations were set, the food was cooked, the house clean and I was freshly showered. And just in time it seemed because a knock on the door announced the arrival of my guest of honour.

I opened the door and the sight of the golden maned pegasus greeted me. She was carring a happy smile on her face and some sort of box with one of her front legs and held some flat plates under her left wing.

“Hello, Spring”, she said. “How is my favorite kirin nirik doing?”

“I uuum… good.” I replied a bit taken aback by the strange device Golden was carrying.

I made some space and let Golden enter. She accepted the invite and stepped inside.

“Lovely decoration you have”, she meant and pointed at the red fabric that was loosely attached to the ceiling. There were also candles set up and balloons. (I have to admit, I liked these rubber air balls.)

“Thank you but can I ask you what do you have here? Didn’t I say you don’t have to bring anything?”, I asked and pointed at her box.

“I know you did but I was sure you don’t have something like this”, Golden said and placed the box on the floor. “This is a basic music player and these are some vinyl disks. It is like a recorder. You capture a sound on the vinyl disc and then can place the disc inside the player. The box then will reproduce whatever is captured on the vinyl. It is often used to record music and songs so you can listen it again or make copies of it to let others listen to it.”

To prove her point, Golden took one of the vinyl discs and placed it in the player. After some butten presses the disc started to spin and music came out of the box. It wasn't very fast, but it was heavy on the instrumentals and gave off a great party mood. I was fastinated by this whole thing. It was like actually somepony, or more like multiple ponies together, were playing right now.

“How does this work?”, I wanted to know.

“That, I do not know”, Golden laughed. “But it is something very common around Equestria. Also, it is perfect for our evening since now we can have some music wihtout the need to actually play them our selves. I guess you kirins don’t have a recorder.”

I shook my head before saying: “Not really. On celebration days like this we always had some kirins who played as a live band. For example Rain Shine sung the most beautiful harmonies or Autumn Afternoon was very talented with the guqin.

But yes, on such day it was often our whole village celebrating together in one big party. And since we are only two this vinyl player is way more suitable.”

“How did you kirins celebrate new years then?”, Golden asked as we made our way to the kitchen while we let the music continue to play.

“Well, some kirins do like to celebrate in a quieter and smaller family circle. But the day should be spent with the ones you love so there is a big celebration in Hono. Many kirins first light some incense sticks before heading to the party. Then there will be food, drinks, music and laughter. The village will be decorated, we light up some fireworks, careful not to hit any trees, some kirins also wear costumes and there will be some traditional dancing.”

“Oh, a traditional dance? Would you like to show me that later”, Golden said and bumped her flank on mine while playfully sticking her tongue out.

I felt the heat rise up in me and I had to look away.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. When I dance it looks more like I only have three hooves and they all are left.”

“Oh that is what everpony says in the beginning”, Golden tried to encourage me.

Most of the stuff in the kitchen was already ready. Only two frying pans and a bamboo steamer were left.

“Here, can you take these into the living room?”, I tried to change the subject and pointed at two bowls on the table.

Golden gave a nod and balanced each bowl on one of her wings.

“If you want you can snack a bit. I'll be with you soon. Just have to cook the spring rolls and take out the dumplings”, I said while heating up the pan.

“This white corn is good. Reminds me of popcorn. What is it?”, I heard Golden say from the living room.

“Popped rice. A classic snack for us kirins”, I answered.

“And in the other bowl are nuts I assume?”

I gave a nod but then realized that Golden could not see me while standing in the living room.

“Indeed. Nuts and seeds have different meanings for us. For example, in the bowl are sunflowers for happiness, pumpkin for health, macadamia for wealth and cashew for friendliness.”

After a short cooking process I floated the vegetable filled dumplings and spring rolls on a plate and carried them with my magic to the living room. Together, of course, with a pot of fresh tea and a bowl of egg fried rice.

Golden was already sitting on the couch eating some nuts and waiting for me.

“Would you like to have some chopsticks for eating?”, I asked her and placed the food on the coffee table.

“Oh har har. You know exactly how it went the last time I tried to eat with two sticks. I doubt they are made for pony hooves”, Golden said and rolled her eyes. Still she had to smirk. “But I am curious about this drink you had already placed on the table.”

She pointed at the small bottle filled with a transparent liquid. I took a seat next to her and floated the bottle in my hooves so that she could see it better.

“Oh this is Nihon-shu or sake. An alcoholic drink that is made out of rice. Similar to your wine. I took this one from Hono and never really had the chance to open it. But I think a day like this asks for celebration”, I explained and went to open the bottle but then hesitated. “I hope you don’t mind. If you don’t want to drink that is also alright.”

“Nono. It’s good”, Golden assured and gave me a smile. “I am interested in how it tastes. Also on new year it is common to celebrate a bit.”

I returned the smile and fully opened the bottle. I used my magic to fill up two glasses and gave her one.

“To us and a new kirin year with my favorite kirin”, Golden cheered.

I felt charmed and clinked my glass on hers. As I took a sip that was a bit too big, I felt the alcohols burn in my throat. But also a sweetness and the taste of rice filled my mouth. I wasn’t much of a drinker, I still enjoyed a glass here and there with the right occasion.

“Not bad. Not bad at all. Light but very sweet”, I heard Golden say as she smacked her lips. Her glass already half empty.

“Light? I would more say it is a stronger one”, I said and took a second, more careful sip now. “But anyways, let’s dig in as long as it is still hot.”

Time was passing by on this kirin new year party and I cherished every moment. Golden and I talked, laughed, ate and drank. Especially drank. I had my third glass of sake, and I started to feel a bit lightheaded. I was not drunk but I did feel tipsy.

But that was a bit dangerous for me. I did not only enjoy the time here with Golden, I also enjoyed… her. Her nonstop presence combined with this very light mood and the attraction I felt for her… It made me want to do stupid things. Especially since Golden had way more to drink than I did. Sure, she seemed to take the alcohol better than I did but I still didn’t want to exploit her weakened mind to force her to do something she might not want to.

Golden was a great friend. The best I could have ever hoped for, and I didn’t want to put this all at risk just because of some needs.

“I always wanted to ask you this, but I always forgot. Whenever you watched my tea ritual you never said a word. Did you know that it was not allowed or what?”, I asked Golden and took another sip from my glass.

The food, once so rich and full, was now reduced to a fraction of what it once was. Just a few leftovers but neither I nor Golden had the space in our bellies for the last little bit. Which meant that we put even more focus on the sake.

“I didn’t know”, Golden admitted. “But you put so much focus on the ceremony that it felt impolite to say something. And since I had never seen you talk while serving, I just assumed that this actually was the way it should be.”

“Smart mare”, I chuckled and sunk a bit into the sofa.

Golden looked at me for a moment that made me wonder what she was thinking.

She then stood up, offered me a hoof and calmly said: “Come. Stand up.”

I hesitated a bit. I knew she was up to something, but I didn’t know what. And of course, in my drunken mind I was only thinking about one thing… And this made my heartrate increase...

Come on! Stop thinking with your lower part and focus. She is your friend, and she enjoys the time here with you. Now don’t mess this up by making it awkward! My brain yelled at me.

I grabbed Golden’s hoof, and she pulled me out of the comfy sofa. She didn’t let go of my hoof and dragged me back to the entrance stopping in front of the music box.

“Here, let me put another vinyl in. This one is from the famous DJ pon3. A bit slower and more gentle, though still based on the EDM music genre. Perfect to dance a bit”, she said and changed the disk on the box and pressed play.

“Heh, I see you have a huge knowledge when it comes to music”, I said, rubbing the back of my head nervously.

"Well, my job only involves building and repairing instrument but I still feel very close with music.”, she said and went back into the living room, starting to move with the beat. “Now come, show me your three left hooves.”

Still very nervous I followed and also made some first movements. Mostly trying to copy something that Golden did since I was, like said, not a good dancer. Especially when it came to free style dancing.

Golden in the meantime watched my dancing and even in my current state I could sense how she tried to hide a smirk. But I didn’t try to get irritated by it and after a while I was able to find my rhythm. Lifting my hooves, nodding my head a bit and swung my tail. Like Golden had said the music was slower than the previous party music but still easy to dance to. Maybe even to dance together then I noticed how close Golden was dancing in front of me.

Was she always so close? I thought.

But I found my body unable to back away. Her beauty was more captivating than ever and the moment as we faced each other. And she looked right at me with a such a demanding smile... with such inviting aura

Isn’t that normally given sign that tells you that she wants to be kissed?

But maybe it was just the alcohol, my love for her or just simply lust, that was speaking. I felt nervous. I didn’t want to risk it. Especially not when my mind was so fogged up.

Besides, maybe she doesn’t want it and it is just the sake that lightens her-

“Stop being so shy and kiss me already”, Golden then said and took another step towards me. Our bodies now touching each other.

I couldn’t contain myself anymore. Not when she had literally said it. I threw all reservations beside, closed my eyes, leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. And when I felt her return the kiss, it made all my worries disappear. Our dance stopped and I couldn’t sense anything anymore. Just the feeling of the kiss and the presence of Golden.

I couldn’t tell how long this lasted, but in one moment Golden wrapped her front legs around my neck and the kiss intensified. She pressed her tongue inside my mouth, and I accepted it by playing with it. My body was running on autopilot and I just let it happen. Let my feelings for her guide it.

I grabbed her and pressed her back on the nearby wall. Standing on my hind legs and holding her in place as we continued to make out. And Golden, for her part held tight on me with all four legs.

As we two separated our kiss, she guided my head with her front hoof to her neck and without words I understood her. While the mane of kirins spreads around the neck, ponies had it open and that made it possible for me to spread kisses and gentle nibbles around it. Each one earning a lustful gasp from Golden.

After again a moment that felt like an eternity, Golden lifted my chin and forced me to look in her beautiful eyes.

“Show me how kirins love”, she whispered.

She didn’t have to tell me twice and with a swift movement I pushed us from the wall and before losing balance we both dropped on the sofa. Golden on the bottom who smiled up to me. I returned the smile and kissed her again. And it definitely wasn’t the last one in this long love filled night while the music gently continued to play in the background.

Author's Note

Even though, this scene would make a great opening, I do not plan to make a clop chapter. Not because I am against it but for me this story doesn’t need it. And I don’t want to add one just because of the sake of it. Also, I would like to keep this story as T rated. Even though this whole scene is on a very grey line. For me it is circumscribed not mature. But maybe it is just me so feel free to give objections.

Chapter 16 - Two flames

The next morning, I woke up with a sore back as I found myself laying on my back in a very unkirin like position. But having the sweet smell of Golden around me made me forget it.

Slowly I opened my eyes and saw how the most beautiful mare was laying on top of me. Her muzzle was buried into my neck mane and her front legs held on me. She still had her eyes closed but I could tell by the way she held me, that she was actually awake. Most likely she just wanted to cherish the moment for a bit longer. Her long golden mane was a mess and hung down everywhere from our night activity. I used my hoof to stroke it a bit, which made her snuggle me even tighter and she buried her snoot even deeper in my neck mane.

I had to smile, and my mind wandered back to last night. How we two… loved each other. There was just no better way to describe it.

“I love you”, I whispered in Golden’s ear.

“I love you too”, she whispered back, still not opening her eyes. “Guess a bit of your nirik side leaked through a bit during some of our more hot passionate moments. You were warmer than ponies”, she then added.

“Sorry…”, I said, a bit unsure if what she had said was something good or not.

“Don’t be. I liked it”, Golden assured me.

This made me relax again and I changed from stroking her mane to her soft wing. This earned a pleased “mmm” from her. I closed my eyes again and just bathed in this moment of true bliss.

I sat at the kitchen table and watched Golden standing in front of the stove and making us some pancakes. I had offered to make us some breakfast, but Golden had said that she was not able to eat rice at the start of the day.

Even though you couldn’t call it “breakfast” or “beginning of the day” anymore since it wasn’t until noon when we both had decided to get up. Luckily, we both didn’t have to work today so we could start the day late and take our time.

Golden used the Spatula in her mouth to take the pancakes out of the pan and put them on a plate. After she added a bit of butter and honey on the top of the stack, she took the whole plate and placed them in the center of the kitchen table. And not without giving a kiss on my cheek right after.

“Eat up hotshot. You need to refill your energy”, she said and also sat at the table across from me.

“Thank you. I definitely do”, I replied with a smile and used my magic to float us some pancakes to our plates.

We both ate in silence. There were no words used right now. The presence of each other was completely enough.

“So, why did you never tell me you had a crush on me?”, Golden then asked when all the pancakes were gone.

I took a sip from my cup of black tea. (This time, much to my dishonour, even with sugar.) But when I answered I had to look away in shame.

“I was scared”, I admitted. “Scared that you might reject me. You were my only friend I had here in Maren, and I couldn't bear the thought of our relationship possibly becoming too awkward to maintain. So, I kept my feelings hidden in the hope you wouldn't notice. That way I could be sure to keep you at least as a friend.”

I looked at Golden again and her smile told me that she understood my situation.

“Why did you never tell me that you like me? I assume you've had feelings for me since long before yesterday”, I then asked in return.

“Oh, I tried”, Golden responded. “But I guess you were too good in hiding your crush since whenever I made some signals or steps in that direction, I got the feeling that you tried to avoid me. I guess I never made clear steps or told you because I thought you didn’t like me. Maybe because I was a pony or you just had no interests or whatever reason there was.

It wasn’t until yesterday when you were a bit under the influence of the Nihon-shu’s alcohol when you showed your affection towards me a bit better.”

“I did?”, I asked confused.

Golden gave a nod and said: “You might not have noticed it but you looked at me differently. With more desire. More love. And when we then started to dance and you didn’t back away from me, I knew, you wanted this as much as I did.”

“Heh… yeah…”, I said and rubbed the back of my head. “I am sorry. I didn’t want to loosen you up yesterday when I offered the sake. My goal was not to get you drunk.”

Golden then gave a suppressed smirk before she broke out into full laughter.

“Oh dear Celestia. Spring, I was far away from even getting tipsy. Those sake glasses you used were way too small for such a light drink. I think you kirins just cannot really handle your alcohol very well. The only one who got drunk was you.”

I felt heat rise up in me due to offended shame. Because yes, compared to her I was a real weak lightweight. And her laughing didn’t make it better…

“Oh don’t be like that. This is nothing bad”, Golden meant and reached across the table to place her hoof on mine. “You don’t have to be a strong drinker to prove yourself to me. I prefer you the way you are.”

This made me smile again. She just knew me too well.

“How is it that somepony like you hasn’t been in a relationship?”, I asked.

“Well, I have dated some stallions before I met you”, Golden admitted. “But they weren’t really my type. Ponies in Manehattan are way more superficial. I guess I wanted somepony who really feels into me and likes all of me. Somepony who got to really know me and won't go off first impressions. And I guess I never found somepony. Instead, I found somekirin.”

“Heh… I just tried to treat you normally. I didn't expect to develop such a fondness for you”, I honestly said.

“I know, and that’s why I fell in love with you. For the way you truly are”, Golden said with a smile.

Multiple days had passed, and I think it was pretty obvious to say that Golden and I saw each other way more often afterwards. Sometimes we did something together outside but often she came home with me, and we did whatever we normally did. Drinking tea, talking, playing games, teaching each other something or just enjoying the time with each other. It just had way more sweettalks, kisses, snuggles and even closer things involved. Golden was actually a surprisingly very playful mare...

Right now we both were laying on the couch in my living room as I was laying on my back and she was laying with her back on my belly and her head on my chest. We were both reading a book which thanks to my magic were floating over our heads. I had my front hooves wrapped around Golden and she was slowly stroking one. And whenever she stopped, I knew that I had to flip a page in her book.

Even such simple moments, of us cuddling together and each of us reading a book, was filled with so much love for each other.

Golden was reading an adventure book with the title “The Shadow Kirinja” that I gave her, and she had brought me a psychology book about famous mental illnesses. (Not the usual genre i liked but i gave it a try.)

“I actually would like to go to Kirin Grove to visit your village one day”, Golden then said out of nowhere.

“Do I have to feel jealous now?”, I chuckled without looking from my book.

Golden turned her head so that I could see her playful face.

“Sure, because I just want to go there to meet other kirins so I can compare them with you”, she joked and stuck her tongue out but then continued with a more serious tone. “But for real. I would like to visit Hono. You have talked so much about it and I am interested to meet more of your kind and culture.”

I used my magic to close the two books and floated them to the coffee table.

“I wouldn’t mind. If you want, we can go there one day, and I can show you everything. I am sure the other kirin inhabitants would love to meet you.”

“I would also love to meet them”, Golden replied and with a smooth roll she was off my belly and stood with all four hooves on the floor. “But until then, I am happy to see my kirin at least.”

She leaned in and we two exchanged a short kiss.

“I’m going to grab me something to drink. Being so close with a creature of fire makes me feel dehydrated”, Golden said and made her way to the kitchen. But as she was walking away from me I could notice that she had a bigger swing in her flanks.

Oh by the holy Fire… I love her so much.

Author's Note

Yes, a bit of a boring chapter. In general, I have to admit that the story is not very interesting. It is cute, calm and some might sympathize with it. But it has no adventure, drama, action or anything in it, that might capture you more to the content. So, if you think the story is boring, I understand you. Still, I am grateful for every review that might help me to improve the story.

Chapter 17 - Back home

“I am so happy that we’re finally able to make this journey”, Golden said with a warm smile.

Some days have passed and what once had only been a plan, had now turned into reality. Golden and I were both sitting in a train heading to hono. My old home and the place where all kirins lived. We were sitting across from each other on either side of a window. Perfect to look outside a bit as the landscape started to become a bit more familiar to me.

“Me too. I am kind of excited”, I admitted.

It has been so long since I had left Hono behind. It had been summer then now it was late spring again. I had wanted to come back sooner for a visit but Kirin Grove was quit a distance away from Maren. Golden and I were taking a vacation especially for this.

But to be fair, another reason had been because I wanted to save the bits. The less bits I spent the sooner I could leave Maren. But now, I was more than willing to spend something so I could show Golden the place where I used to live. So often had she shown me things about the pony culture, but now I wanted to show her how kirins live.

“Do your friends know that you have a pony marefriend now?”, Golden asked.

I gave a nod.

“I told them a while ago in a letter. Not too soon but they still deserved to know. So yes, they are aware that we are a bit closer than just friends.”

“Do you think they will like me?”, Golden said and looked at the ground in shame.

It was really rare to see Golden nervous, so this meant this question really troubled her. I guessed it was because she was a bit afraid to meet all the kirins that meant so much to me. And I couldn’t blame her. These were more than just the other creatures of my kind. They were the family and friends who I spent most of my live together with.

I reached out my hoof and held her cheek. She looked up with her beautiful eyes to look into mine.

“I am very sure they will. Not only because of me or because they want to be friendly. They will like you for who you are. Because you are great the way you are.”

Golden smiled at my words and leaned into my hoof. We both held this pose for a while as we lovingly looked at each other.
“Next and final stop: Kirin Grove”, the sudden voice of the conductor came through the train compartment.

I didn’t know why he had to scream since me and Golden were the only ones in there. Even though the kirin was becoming more well known it still wasn’t a hotspot and barely had anypony traveling this far.

“Seems like we've reached our final destination”, Golden said and gave a kiss on my nose as she stood up.

“Home, sweet home”, was the only thing I said with a chuckle.

Golden offered me a hoof which I accepted. As the train slowly came to a stop, the door opened and we two stepped out. I still remembered last time the gate used to be just some old, rotten planks of wood. Together with a single little hut that had been in the same condition. The gate had been renovated. New wood and even a roof made out of bamboo. (Us kirins had most likely helped with that part.) It looked way more inviting now.

“I guess we have to go this way”, Golden called out and pointed at a simple pebble track leading to the mountain where Hono was located.

I gave a nod and said: “Well, that wasn’t there before.”

The two of us followed the path that even had a direction sign with the word “HONO” on it, in case you were not aware, where you’re actually heading. Soon, the path went a bit steeper up the hill and through the forest until it came to the cave that once had been used by Fluttershy and Applejack. The cave that leads right into the kirin village.

I noticed how Golden stood close to me and I could feel her nervous aura.

“Hey, dear. It’s alright. They will like you. I am sure”, I said encouragingly as I leaned against her.

“I know. I am sorry. I don't know what got into me today”, she replied and took a deep breath. “But so far, I like it here. It really fits your stories. A lonely, untouched mountain with trees and bushes I have never seen before.”

With one last moment to gather ourselves, we stepped into the dark cave and soon were greeted by the sunlight on the other end. And here we were. The border of Hono. My old home.

Everything felt familiar to me in an instant. The look of every house, every tree, every rock. The smell and feeling of the air. The sound of running water, singing birds and the kirins in the village, going about their daily lives. How much I had missed it.

“Oh look! There is Maple Brown. The kirin who sent me the letter with the nirik stamp on it. Do you remember her?”, I asked Golden and pointed at the green-brown kirin mare with yellow scales and a mane in… maple brown colour.

She was busy using her magic to pick some oranges from a tree and floated them in a basket. She had always been the one who took great care of the trees and bushes in the area, along with helping in the fields. And in her eyes the fruits were the way the plants said “thank you” for her hard work.

At the sight of her my speed automatically increased and I called out her name. When hearing her name Maple turned from her work and when she saw me approaching, she nearly dropped the orange in her magic grip.

“Spring! You’re back!”, she said and came towards me to meet me in a tight hug.

“It’s good to see you”, I said to her after we parted.

“Same to you. Happy to see you safe and sound. We all missed you very much”, Maple said and gave me a happy smile.

She then looked around and spotted Forest Fall, a light green male kirin with brown scales and a yellow-brown mane, walking by. He was the maybe the best friend I had had in Hono.

“Forest, look! Spring is back!”, Maple called out to him.

Forest’s ears perked up and when he saw me, he got a grin on his face and quickly came over.

“Spring, how are you?”, he asked and we two also shared a hug.

“Good, thank you. I am so happy to see you all again”, I replied.

“Same for us. I am sure everykirin will be over the roof when they see you again. It wasn't so easy without our favourite sewing kirin”, Forest chuckled.

“Now, you wrote in your last letter that you wouldn't be coming alone”, Maple came into with a big smirk.

“Indeed. Seems like you found your very special somekirin”, Forest said and punched my shoulder playfully.

I blushed a bit but couldn't hide a smirk myself.

“SomePONY”, I said. “She is not a kirin so you have to say somepony. But yes, I did.”

And just as they asked, Golden caught up to me on my right side. But she still stood a bit in the back.

“Meet Golden String, my marefriend and neighbour. She has wings which means that she is a pegasus. We two met after she moved next to me and after several meetings, we became good friends and later even more”, I introduced her to my two friends.

Golden stepped forward with a convinced smile, reached her hoof out and gave a: “Nice to meet you.”

“Didn’t think you were into ponies”, Forest laughed, earning a punch from Maple.

“Don’t be rude. Now Spring, where is she?”

“Well, here”, I said and pointed with my hoof at Golden.

“Where is here?”, Forest asked, a bit unsure.

This also made me confused and a look at Golden told me that she was too.

“Well, right here. Standing next to me. You know, this white pegasus pony with a long yellow mane?”, I said and pointed at her again.

Maple and Forest both looked at Golden but still didn’t accept her extended hoof. Instead, the two shared a wordless look at each other and then they looked at me.

“Spring… there is nopony there…”

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading.
I will give my personal comment about this chapter in the next one.

Chapter 18 - Personal fortress

Golden was sitting to my left and cuddled up to me. But I barely noticed it. My mind was elsewhere, so I barely felt her touch. Which felt so real…

Was this all just imagination? Was Golden actually nothing more than a pony made up by my mind? She appeared when I felt down and lonely. Every time I called for company, she just magically showed up...

But can it really be that the pony who became my best friend and later even my lover was just imagination? All the feelings and moments we shared were nothing? Never happened? Were never real?

“Spring what is wrong?”, Golden asked me and stopped the cuddle.

Goldens words brought me out of my thoughts for a bit. I shook my head and looked around a bit. It was a hot late spring day here in Maren. After a short stroll I and Golden had decided for a little break, and we had chosen to sit on a bench in the middle of the plaza. Around us were foals playing and adults talking to each other.

I turned my head and looked directly in Golden’s deep blue eyes. She knew something was wrong. She knew me too well...

Of course, she knows that something troubles me. She always does. It is like she could read my mind. But then, what if she was just made up by my mind?

“Spring, what is distracting you? Your mind has been somewhere else all day.”

I gave a deep sigh.

“I had a dream last night. You remember how you told me yesterday that you want to visit Hono one day?”

Golden gave a nod.

“Well… last night I dreamt that after some time passed, we two went to Hono”, I started to tell. “It was all going well. Sure, you were uncommonly nervous, but all in all it was a great trip. It all felt very real… And when we got to Hono, the place with all my kirin friends, nokirin was able to see you. You were just an illusion, made up by me.”

When I finished, Golden looked at me in silence. I could kind of see the gears in her brain turning…

“And you think that this was all real? Or better said, that I am not real. That I am just a pony made up by your own imagination?”

I gave another deep sigh and looked away shamefully.

“I know this is stupid. Of course, I know that was all just a dream. But still… it does have something to it, doesn’t it? You moved in as my new neighbour when I felt depressed and lonely. We instantly understood each other, became friends and even more. Kind of a very lucky coincidence, isn’t it?”, I questioned.

Golden rubbed her chin as she was thinking, she didn’t seem angry or disappointed. It seems like she kind of understood me.

“Okey I understand. But what about the tea we two drunk? Do you think that tea we two drunk. Do you think that tea disappeared on it's own?”, Golden pressed forward.

“Maybe this was also made-up fantasy. That my brain automatically imagined an empty teacup because you drunk it”, I explained, “I cleaned the cups afterwards so how could I have known later? The same can be said about the food or anything else.”

To my surprise Golden then started to laugh.

“Oh dear Celestia, you have a really creative imagination then”, Golden laughed. “Fine, I give you that with the food and drinks. But I bet you remember the pizza and vinyl player I once brought to you. You said you have never seen something like that before, right?”

“Yes?”, I answered a bit unsure what she meant by it.

“Now you could've guessed that these items exist, and are very common in equestria. So your mind automatically came up with these were items on its own that you have never seen before but still exist?”

And this time I had to admit she was right. Golden taught me so much pony culture. She showed me products, traditions and history which all have been proven as true. They couldn’t just be made up by me.

“And what about all the ponies around here? Don't you think that somepony would have noticed you talking to somepony who wasn't there? Whether it be today or any other day we were strolling around and chatting with each other?”, Golden continued.

“But that is the point! You know how the inhabitants here are. They like to stare but are always too shy to talk to somepony. Maybe they always found it strange how I'll talked to thin air, but they never came and questioned me about it”, I said.

“Okey, I give you that point. But I think I can prove right here and now that they are able to see me”, Golden said and placed her front hooves on my cheeks, forcing me to look her in the eyes. “But first tell me, do you think that all the nights and love making we spent together were just your imagination?”

“No”, I said without hesitation.

And with these words Golden took me into a kiss. And by the flames what a kiss it was. She pressed her tongue inside and used her hooves to keep me in place. Trapping me completely and making me accept the deep kiss. Golden gave some lustful moans into my mouth and after a short eternity she let go of me. But still holding on to my cheeks and looking at me to show that she still had control over me.

“Golden… others are watching…”, I said blushing.

And indeed. From the corner of my eyes, I could see how everypony on the plaza was looking at us. Not just some glances. They all had their head turned in our direction and were watching the spectacle. Some blushed, some quickly hid the eyes of their foals but most were shocked and disgusted by the fact that a couple had started a make out session in middle of public.

“And?”, Golden said casually. “If they have a problem with a very real mare kissing her very special somekirin, then they can come over here and say so.”

And without seeming to mind the stares and whispering complaints in the background, she kissed me again. And this time, I returned it.

“I guess you've never been inside here. As far as I remember you told me once that your neighbour, who lived here before me, was also a little shy towards you”, Golden said to me.

We were standing side by side in front of Golden’s house. It hadn't changed since the day I moved here to Maren, and it also didn’t after Golden became my new neighbour. From outside the house still looked the same. And even though it is just next to mine, the idea of entering it now felt so… unreal.

“Saying that pony was a bit shy would be like saying fire is a little warm. I can’t even say who used to live here because that pony was even too scared to just open the door for me. I tried to introduce myself, multiple times, and always got ignored”, I huffed.

Golden then turned her head away and guiltily rubbed her front leg.

“I have to say I feel bad now. After you invited me over for tea so many times it just started to feel so natural to come over that the idea of inviting you over to my place never crossed my mind”, she said.

“No worries, I also never thought to ask you if I could come over for once”, I waved off.

“Still, I should have brought you over at least one time then we wouldn’t have had the discussion we had earlier today. Just bringing you here inside would have proven to you that I am your neighbour. That I am a real pony living next to you”, Golden said with a hint of shame in her voice.

“Oh don’t feel bad about it. At least I got rewarded with a very good kiss”, I laughed and slapped my flank on hers.

“Don’t get used to it, hotshot. I normally don’t do such make out sessions. At least not in public”, Golden said and playfully stuck her tongue out. “Now, shall we?”

Golden opened the door to her home and invited me inside. As soon as I passed the doorframe, I could immediately tell how similar her home was to mine. Or better said, the basement was similar. The walls had the same colour, the rooms were placed the same with the living room left, the kitchen straight ahead and the stairs to the right. And all built out of the same materials of course.

But what was different was the furniture. While my living room for example had a mixture of pony and kirin culture, Golden’s was fully in pony style and very modern. A large sofa, a glass coffee table, metallic floor lamp and stuff like that.

“You know that the locals here will now all talk about this? Soon everypony will know that you are together with me. You won’t be able to go anywhere without everypony knowing you as the mare who loves the kirin…”, I said, still thinking about that love filled moment we shared in front of everypony in the plaza.

“Should they”, Golden waved off. “It would surprise me if they didn’t already know. And even if, it won’t change anything. It’s not them who decide who I love. It is myself.”

With these words Golden gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Now come, let me show you the bedroom”, Golden said and headed to the stairs.

I followed her upstairs and she led me into the bedroom. Unlike the rest of the house her room was a bit messy. Filled with personal valuable belongings from Golden. The smell and aura of her was all around this room. It was clear that these four walls were Golden’s fortress. And it meant a lot for me that she had allowed me inside.

Next to the bed was a closet with clothing inside, another one with personal items, to, a dresser that was used as more of a place to stack papers and a lot of posters on the wall. All of them showing famous musicians.

One of them stood out to me. It was the largest one right next to the bed. A grey earth pony with a long black mane who wore a bow tie around her neck. She stood on a stage and was playing a cello while all lights were on her. She was pretty but what got my attention was her expression. She had her eyes closed and was deep in her music.

“Who is that?”, I asked without taking my eyes from the poster.

“This is Octavia Melody. She is a cello player and a huge inspiration to me. Less because of her music. More the way she plays it. She doesn’t play the cello. She is one with it”, Golden explained and then looked with me at the poster. “I only build and repair instruments. I am not a musician. But I still adore music. And if I see somepony being so much together with music, with her instrument… It really triggers a feeling in me. I am sure, whoever made this cello for her, is very proud now.”

“Who knows, maybe one day she'll come to you if she needs her cello repaired”, I said and looked around a bit more in Golden’s room.

“Ha, as if. I bet when she needs her cello repaired, she goes to somepony she really trusts. I doubt that she would even give me her instrument if I would ask her. This would be like a random mare asked me if she could kiss my special somekirin”, Golden laughed.

But I could still tell that she would like the idea. (The idea of repairing Octavia’s cello. Not the idea of another mare kissing me.)

I turned away from the poster and continued to check out a shelf with some of her more important important belongings, like a group photo with her and, what I assumed, were her friends in Manehattan. Golden, for her part sat down on the bed.

“You know, it makes me realise something”, Golden then said. “Whenever we two… spend the night together, we always did this on the sofa and fell asleep on it later.”

“We also had other places for our activities”, I said casually.

“Yes, I know, hotshot”, Golden said, and I didn’t have to turn to her to know that she was rolling with her eyes. “What I mean is, I also have never been in YOUR bedroom. And I kind of wonder why now.”

I turned around from the shelf and looked at my golden maned pegasus. Indeed, I had never shown her my bedroom. It had never really crossed my mind.

“You’re right”, I admitted. “The thing is my bedroom is for me a bit like yours here. It is a place for me to retreat and where I can be myself. It is my little fortress. Just like this bedroom is for you.”

I paused to think a bit.

“But I guess… I can show it to you. Not only because you invited me into your own personal place”, I said and pointed with my hoof around the room, “but also because I trust you enough to know, that you will understand the meaning of my bedroom.”

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading.

Now, I want to give some information about chapter 17 (the preview one).
When I have an idea of a story, I already know everything what will happen in it. Maybe I change some little things or add something small. But when I started to write the story, and came to the part where Golden String appeared, I started to realise how… unreal she seemed. Spring falls into a lonely depression and then, out of nowhere Golden came and they became good friends.

So, the idea that Spring got Schizophrenia did not only make sense but it also would have been the prefect plot. In my opinion, this would have led to the way more interesting ending and I was even so far that I wanted to change the whole ending of the story. But I just couldn’t get myself to do it. No matter what kind of amazing plot I just give up, I wanted to give Spring an ending he deserves. So, instead I added the whole Schizophrenia idea as a dream chapter. Saying, that there could have been a different ending.

Maybe some are a bit disappointed that this whole thing just had been a dream. And I can tell, that I feel with you. But in the end, I want to finish the story in a way I am happy with.