A Winter Taleby BlueEyedMelloonChapters1. Coming Home2. New Jacket3. The Party4. Soarin, My Dearest1. Coming HomeA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter 1: Coming Home ooOooooOooooOoo Soarin slipped in and out of the gathering clouds, enjoying the weak sunlight on the tops of his wings and shivering at the slight, cold tinged air around him. It was the type of day that he was glad to be free from his usual duties as a Wonderbolt. The wind caressed his body, carrying him, lifting him higher into the sky and around fluffy pillars of greyish white. Without goggles, Soarin had to squint through the cold air, but he knew the way he was travelling by heart, even if it had been a long time since he had come this way. The prospect of deeply relaxing sped his heart and his wings faster, and his undulating path straightened out into an impatient bee line toward his destination. In fact, Soarin was enjoying his first day of an entire winter off. He rarely took time off of work, and his commanders knew that he was always a reliable choice to come in on his day off, however sparse or well deserved they may be. Being Mr. Reliable meant that he never took vacations, and his vacation time had added up to where he would have to use it, or lose it. So when Spitfire came to him with that ultimatum, the Pegasus colt decided that he could use an extended vacation at home in Ponyville. He assigned a younger recruit with a knack for organization to take his place in his absence, hung up his uniform, packed his bags and sent them away to his home in the clouds above the Everfree Forest. Now he too was making the trek back to where he had began, the few things he had left at home packed away in the saddlebags that looped across his back. A sigh escaped his lips as he barrel rolled, forming into a happy smile. He hadn't been back to Ponyville in ages, and he wondered if anyone had moved in or out. The thought of walking the familiar streets again filled him with glee. Hopefully Pinkie Pie would be there, her parties were way too much fun to go without, and Rarity of course, he was in need a of a new winter jacket…. These musings kept his mind busy until he arrived at his second home. He pushed open the fluffy door, noting that the moving ponies had left all of his things in the middle of the walkway. The house was smaller than his usual home. Being a vacation house, it was simpler but inviting. The hallway opened to the left and right a few paces down. The left turned into the living room that was filled with squishy cloud furniture. To the right was the dining room, where chairs for eight were pushed in neatly around the expansive table. The open arch broke the wall between the kitchen and dining room; a window allowed those who were cooking to converse with those in the dining room with no problems. Farther down the hall, it curved to the right, with a bathroom under the staircase that erupted from the floor. It was this path that Soarin followed after inching his way past his pile of belongings. The staircase led to an open loft with four doors along the walls. Three were bedrooms, one was a bathroom. The whole home felt as if it should be housing a family, not just one pony. But Soarin typically had friends over, and those friends liked to drink cider. He would rather have them collapse in a spare bedroom than try to fly home after one too many. After checking to make sure everything was where he left it and hastily emptying his saddlebags onto the cloud bed, Soarin went back down to the front door and walked outside, staring down at the Everfree Forest. It spread out below him like a fluffy carpet, hardly scary and nightmare inducing with patches of golden sunlight illuminating the rapidly depleting leaves. Fall was at its end; tomorrow winter would begin and soon snow would replace the leaves as foliage for the trees. The blue Pegasus took off, noting that the air was a bit colder than when he arrived. Winter may not wait until tomorrow morning. He circled lazily, enjoying the view from above before landing just outside the marketplace of Ponyville, dried grass splintering under his feet. The market was in full swing, and along with the last minute sales of veggies and fruits, stalls were offering hot chocolate, apple cider and even scarves. Sleds were lined up alongside on building; the pony selling them was talking loudly in hopes of attracting early sales since the air held a promise of snow to come. There was a merry buzz throughout the market, punctuated here and there by a stern haggler’s tone or the loudly spoken greetings of friends from one stall to another. Soon the buildings would be strung with lights, and snowponies would become regular guests in the town square. But for now there was just the promise of those things to come, and even just a promise was enough to lighten everypony’s hearts and souls. Soarin chuckled, seeing two young fillies, one pale yellow and one a bright orange eyeing a pink sled with flowers on it. From the disjointed conversation, they seemed to be trying to come up with a way to pay for it before the snow hit. “Ah don’t know Scoots, we have to know how to bake before we can have a bake sale.” “Can’t your family just give us some apple tarts and stuff?” “You know we can’t do that, we need that money to buy supplies over the winter. Maybe Twist can show us how to make candy! Then we could have a sweets sale!” “Great idea Apple Bloom! And maybe we’ll get our cutie marks as candy makers!” Soarin chuckled again, then he pulled out his shopping list, inspecting it once and tucking it under his wing. There wasn’t any food in the vacation home, so his list was quite expansive. He made his way to the nearest stall, inching past the crowds of ponies with apologies and easy nudges. An hour or so passed before he had finished shopping. His saddlebags bulged with produce, and his mouth was dry from all of the talking he had done. The stall keepers were happy to see him back. He chatted with ponies he had gone to school with, trying to avoid going into too much detail about his job. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy his line of work; it was the greatest job a pony could ever have in his mind. But it got tiring telling the same stories to different ponies who all gave the same reactions. Ponyville was special to him because he had grown up in the town, so everpony already knew him and treated him like everypony else, not like a celebrity. Minus the occasional fan that popped up every now and then. His stomach growled. Time for a snack. He spotted Sugarcube Corner and liked his lips, hoping there might be a few more Sweet Apple Acres apple pies left under the counters. While walking to the front door, greeting ponies he knew and waving a hoof, he spied a pony watching him. They were gazing from behind someone, eyes veiled behind bangs. When he stopped and stared at this unknown pony, he found that they had disappeared. Strange. He thought, pushing open the door. The ring of the bell above the door prompted a call of “One second!” from under the counter. A fluffy pink head came into view, followed by bright blue eyes that almost vibrated with excitement when she saw her patron. “Soarin! What are you doing here?” “I’m here for the whole winter.” He said calmly, smiling. Pinkie Pie’s eyes exploded into firecrackers. Suddenly she was in his face, grin wide enough to split her face in half. “Really?!” she said, voice growing shrill. “The whole winter?! That means you’ll be here for the first snow, and baking cookies, and Hearth’s Warming Eve, and ice skating and HHHHHOOOOAAAA!” a gasp drew her excited tirade to a stop and she gaped at Soarin as if seeing him for the first time. “But first you need a welcome back party! With cake! And streamers! And balloons!” she started to take a breath to continue her list of things he “had” to have when a gentle blue hoof covered her chattering mouth. “First, can I get an apple pie?” Soarin asked with amusement, allowing Pinkie to have her mouth back only when she nodded quickly. “Of course Soarin-woarin! Applejack just delivered the last pies of the year! I know just the one for you!” Her mind was still abuzz with her ever growing list of things for Soarin’s Welcome Home Party. She chattered away while pulling out a steaming confection the likes Soarin hadn't seen in probably forever. His ears completely ignored the excitable pink pony ringing him up. His whole attention was on the glorious thing in front of him. Soarin left Sugarcube Corner with an apple pie balanced on his back in front of the saddle bags and a piece of paper in his mouth, dictating the time and date of his party. He chuckled from behind the paper as Pinkie poked her head out of the door and said “Bye bye Soarin! See you on Saturday!” He waved absently behind him, making sure not to drop his precious pie. It was growing later in the afternoon. A visit to Rarity would have to wait until next time, but not too long. The wind danced around the clouds that were dropping lower, bringing a trace more of cold into his face. But once he got home, his whole body would be warm from delicious pie.... When his mind came off of the treat warming the space between his wings, he noticed somepony watching him from behind a stall. From this distance and the angle of their face, Soarin could see that his watcher was a mare. The pale blue fur around her face shimmered slightly in the remaining sunlight, and her mane was chin length, and white. He leaned forward, but he couldn't make out what color her eyes were. Her cutie mark was also hidden from view behind the wooden planks of the stall she was so carefully concealing herself with. Soarin opened his mouth to say something, and he dropped the paper that he held. He muttered something, and bent to pick it back up before it got too dirty. When he looked down to find it and looked back up, the mare was gone. This left him confused, and more than a little concerned. Who was she? Why was she staring at him? He shook his head, playing it off as a fan that just happened to be in town, and took off carefully, making sure his cargo wasn’t wobbly. For now he would forget about the white haired mare. He had a pie to eat. ooOooooOooooOoo Panting, a silver blue mare skidded to a halt behind somepony's house. She shivered, feeling sweat beading along her shoulders. Too close. Too close for comfort. She inhaled deeply, feeling the cold air enter her lungs. It didn't sting like it normally should. It felt invigorating. She looked up at the sky in time to see a light blue pegasus circle one more time, and then shoot off toward the walking bridge and the Everfree Forest. A deep sigh wiggled its way out of the mare's lips, and she leaned against the building's wall to keep herself steady. What a beautiful creature.... 2. New JacketA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter Two: New Jacket ooOooooOooooOoo The sunlight filtered through the light clouds that protected the bedroom window. It slowly crept up the floor, and clung to the edges of the bedspread, crawling its way across the blankets and finally reaching its goal: the calm face of Soarin Stormcloud. His mouth was illuminated first; it was slack and open just a crack through which gentle breath escaped. Next came his cheek, just the left one since he was laying on his side. Finally the ultimate goal was achieved. His eyes cracked open in response to the light, and he groaned, rolling over and letting out a yawn. Sunlight. Winter must not have come in the night like he originally thought. As he rolled from his bed however, he was immediately struck by a wall of cold air. He let out another groan, shivering and shaking out the kinks in his legs. Moving to the window, he saw that his ice home was coated in a layer of frost, and the sunlight that had penetrated his sleep was weak and couldn’t melt the frost that had taken hold of Equestria in the night. The ground below sparkled with ice, and the ponies of Ponyville had yet to rise to greet the day. Soarin yawned tremendously, stretching his wings before moving to the bathroom for a nice warm shower. Refreshed and slightly warmer, the light blue colt went downstairs to the kitchen, pouring a bowl of cereal as opposed to making a full on breakfast. It was too early and he was too lazy. As he munched, he contemplated his activities for the day. Other than getting fitted at Carousal Boutique, he really had no other plans. Perhaps we would see what Lyra and Bon Bon were up to… It was strange not being at work. His body was ready to go, to fly and tumble and protect Equestria. His mind however, was firmly aware that he was on vacation, and intermittent yawns snuck out between bites. Finished with breakfast, he took another minute or two to stretch before leaving home and following the same path as the day before down to Ponyville. His flight down to Ponyville left him shivering as he touched the ground. The tattered scarf that hung around his throat waved feebly, as if to shoo away the cold that nipped at Soarin’s nose. He hustled to Carousel Boutique, blowing on his hoof before knocking on the brightly colored door. He was greeting by an ivory mare with a flowing mane of deep purple. Despite the early hour, Rarity was already awake and primped; not an eyelash or hair was out of place. She ushered him inside was an expertly manicured hoof, saying “Soarin dear! You are in town? How could I have not known?” He let her lead him to the fitting room, saying “I just got here yesterday. I have the entire winter off.” “Really?” came the reply, tinged with a slight accent. Soarin always thought she sounded like she belonged in Canterlot rather than Ponyville. Her horn glowed as she wandered the room, gathering pins, measuring tapes and a clipboard. “I didn’t know the Wonderbolts could take an entire season off.” “They can when they haven’t had a sick day in four years.” He said, smiling. Soarin faced the mirrors, saying “I was hoping you could fit me for a new jacket. The one I have is…” “Last season!” Rarity chirped, levitating the measuring tape over the get the length of his legs while Opal, a fluffy white cat, twisted through her master’s legs with expert ease. “I know exactly what you mean! A trendsetter like you should be in the latest fashions. Why on my last visit to Canterlot, I saw this chicest jacket and vest set that you would look smashing in...” “Actually.” Soarin interrupted, chuckling. “My last jacket fell apart at the seams. I was just hoping to get a replacement in the same style.” There was silence, followed by Rarity’s large eyes staring at his through the mirror reflection. “Oh dear! Don’t they teach you how to take care of clothes?” a mildly horrified Rarity said, pausing to write down her measures. “Or did you buy it from some shoddy work horse who doesn’t know a top stitch from a blanket stitch?” Opal meowed in agreement, playing with one of the discarded measuring tapes. “To think that somepony would sell such unfinished work to a celebrity like you! Why if you told me who they were, I have half a mind to -” “I actually bought it from you.” There was a long pause. “….Oh…w-well then you must have worn it too much..yes, that’s it. You wore it too hard!” Soarin laughed again as the elegant mare smiled sheepishly, choosing to hurry through the measurements instead of berating him further. After she had gotten the information she needed, Soarin gave her a few suggestions, and then left the Boutique with Rarity shooing him away, mannequin already floating towards her as she donned her red glasses and began to sew. The sunlight had be almost covered up; patches fell through the cloud cover here and there. The air felt heavy, as if it were going to rain. Soarin shivered, and wandered toward the nearest café for a hot chocolate. Ponies were starting to wake up and move from place to place. He waved at a few ponies that he knew, even stopping to chat with the local clock maker about how his business was faring. This turned into a meeting with his daughter and he was assured by the clock maker that she was "quite the catch and a good cook to boot!" After the slightly awkward conversations with a stuttering filly barely old enough to be considered for dating, Soarin made his way back to his original plans. "After that I feel like I need some hard cider instead." he muttered to himself, plodding through the streets. The cafe was in sight now, the promise of a warm environment and even warmer drinks making him increase his pace. On his way, he felt a tingle along the back of his neck. The kind of tingle somepony gets when they are being watched. Soarin kept his eyes trained ahead, determined not to give his watcher the attention she apparently needed. The tingle continued through his wings, and he resisted the urge to open them to release the tension. When he entered the café, the buzz of the conversations inside was seconded only by the wave of warmth that washed over him. He hazarded a glance behind him. Sure enough, behind a tree, the shimmery blue mare was watching him with those eyes. Those eyes he couldn’t see. He turned away, finding a table and enjoying chatting with the waiter while drinking a lovely hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows. He exited the café, and immediately saw that his watcher was still there, eyes trained on Soarin and Soarin only. He made a show of walking casually toward the building she was near, never looking her way until he was close enough to speak loudly. “Hey.” He said, and his voice traveled slowly on the heavy air. “I don’t know who you are, but you had better stop running when I come to talk to you.” The mare froze, eyes widening as she realized her mistake. Her breathing increased, and she took a tentative step backwards. “I said don’t run.” Soarin said, noting her step. “Why won’t you just talk to me?” The mare opened her mouth, eyes trained downwards. She looked as if she were trying to force words, sound, anything to come out of her mouth. Soarin took a step toward her, noting that her mane had the same shimmery quality as her coat. With his step the frost cracked, and the mare shivered, taking another step back. “I’m……I-I-I’m s-sorry.” Came a soft voice, almost too quiet to hear. It was Soarin’s turn to freeze, her voice stopping him in his tracks. It was if she had whispered over a light breeze. Her voice carried a slight sing-song cadence. The mare felt her heart beating out of her chest; her whole body wanted to shiver and shake. Instead with a flash of frost and a steady rhythm, she turned tail and ran to the other side of town, leaving one very confused and intrigued Soarin in her wake. The Pegasus stood there for a minute or two, staring at the place where she had been standing. That voice…. He suddenly shook his head, unruly mane flapping back and forth along his ears. “I’ll find out who you are.” He said to the wind, turning to his own direction and heading back the way he came. For the rest of the day he held conversations, but they didn’t interest him in the slightest. All he could think about was a pale blue mare with a soft voice like song. ooOooooOooooOoo Again the mare found herself running, running as fast as she could from Soarin. Oh Soarin.. Just the thought of the handsome colt being so close to her made her heart feel as if it were skipping time. It threatened to stop when she remembered his voice, asking why she didn’t speak to him. She stopped just shy of the schoolhouse and instead turned right toward a copse of trees. There she found shelter from the cold and from prying Pegasus eyes that might be looking for her. She lay among the fallen leaves and stubborn grasses determined to grow, and sighed, laying her head on her hoof. Thinking about apologizing to him made her want to kick and scream. Why had she apologized? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just out taking a walk and happened to spy him. The memory came back, and this time she smiled. He was so close to her. Spoke to her. The baritone of his voice made her very core shiver not with fear, but happiness. That core blossomed into warmth that took to her veins and filled her with something that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Perhaps never . She pulled her body close, willing that warmth to stay with her forever. Just like the sound of his voice…. 3. The PartyA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter Three: The Party ooOooooOooooOoo The vacationing Wonderbolt spent the few days leading up to the party at home, choosing to relax now knowing he would be busy all Saturday night. He ordered take out, caught up on a book that he had been meaning to continue reading and lounged around his cloud home, entertaining only the very few pegasus that flew up to meet him. One such pony was the mail mare. Her strange knocked was followed by a smile with strange eyes that looked in two different directions. Soarin didn’t remember seeing her before, and assumed she had moved in somewhere in the past couple of years. “Mr. Soarin?” she said, her voice cheerful and happy. Her hoof dug into her mail bag, and a few letters slipped out and off into the wind. “I have a letter for you.” “Oh thank you...miss...?” “Derpy.” she said, finally fishing out the letter and inspecting it to make sure she wasn’t giving the wrong mail away. Again. Handing the letter over, she offered another winning smile, continuing to speak. “It’s Derpy Hooves. That looks like an invitation to Pinkie’s party this weekend. I can’t wait to go!” “It should be....interesting to say the least.” the colt replied, chuckling. Giving Derpy a smile, he said “Thank you very much Miss Hooves” “No problem, it’s my job!” she said, taking off from his doorstep with a flurry of wings and envelopes. Soarin, still smiling over his encounter, closed the door with his back hoof, opening the letter and revealing a bright pink invitation covered in stickers. Inside detailed that the party was for him, as well as the time and date. He stared at the invitation strangely. Why would Pinkie send me an invitation to my own party? But he shook off the odd occurrence as nothing. Pinkie did very strange things. He left the invitation on the counter, and went back to his business of reading. The wind gusted through a window, pulling on the edge of the card and flipping it open. It seemed determined, and after a couple more gusts, the invitation skidded along the table and lifted off. It flew through the open window, and fluttered down to the earth below, carried on now triumphant winds. There wasn’t a sound as it landed on the earth. There it lay, getting slightly damp from the ever present frost until a pale hoof picked it up. This same pale hoof held it aloft, reading the words inside. “A...a party? For Soarin?” came a soft exclamation, followed by a gaze upward. She knew it was his home, she had watched him fly there the last time he had left. Briefly she wondered why the invitation had fallen. Maybe he had dropped it for her! Her heart beat an erratic rhythm,but her head told her not to be so stupid. It probably just fell from the window. She really should return it... The mare looked at her light blue back, sighing. No wings. “I guess I can give it to him at the party.” she mumbled, tucking the invite away in her mane. “A party! I’ve never been to a party!” ooOooooOooooOoo Sugarcube Corner was alight from the inside, and when the door opened to let somepony in music blared from the opening. Balloons and streamers were tied to every available cranny, and a large banner depicting Soarin was strung from one corner to another. The colt of the hour was standing just out of the beam of light, and coughed nervously. It looked like every pony in Ponyville was showing up tonight. He adjusted his new jacket’s collar for the hundredth time, and took a deep breath. It was just a party right? He was in front of crowds all of the time... Of course those crowds are far below me. I can’t make out their faces. There was no more time to wait. He was already fashionably late, and had run out of excuses for not going inside. So he put on his brave face, and entered the beam of light coming from the windows. He pushed open the door, and was assaulted with light and noise. Sugarcube Corner was decked out in blue and yellow streamers that wound around poles and leapt from one side of the ceiling to the other gayly. Each streamer ended in a bow with a yellow lightning bolt with light blue wings, exactly like his cutie mark. There was a long table against one wall laden with every sweet treat imaginable including... Soarin licked his lips, spying a few apple pies steaming with warmth despite the warm temperature inside.Tables had been cleared away from the central part of the room, where there was currently a conga line dancing to the upbeat music played from the record player nearby. A large bowl of punch stood on its own table, with plastic cups circling it. Everywhere he looked Soarin saw ponies. They chatted and laughed and ate, everypony seemed to be enjoying themselves. When he entered the room, eyes began to drift toward him, and everypony had a smile on their face. There was a collective inhale and suddenly the entire room of ponies shouted. “WELCOME HOME SOARIN!” He felt buffeted by the noise, but grinned while covering his ears. “Thanks everypony!” he shouted back, moving farther inside so that he could shut the door from the cold. He immediately went for some punch, and after downing a glass, he mingled among his friends, sharing a story or two and laughing about the stories they had to tell. He gave Berry Punch a pat on the back, congratulating her on her recent success with opening a bar, and promising to visit sometime very soon. After every snippet of conversation, he always ended it with a hearty thank you for the attendance of the pony in question. In this fashion he made his way through the crowd, pausing to sign an autograph for the same orange filly he had spied earlier in the week with what he guessed was an Apple family member, judging by her name. The filly, named Scootaloo, hugged the napkin close, grinning widely and saying “This is going next to my picture of Rainbow Dash!” before scampering off to squeal with her friends that stood by a table nearby. Soarin felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to see Pinkie Pie, who was in her element and looked as if at the slightest provocation, she would explode into a rain of confetti and cookies. “Isn’t this party great!?” she squealed, throwing a hoof around to indicate the merriment in the room. “It really is Pinkie, thank you. I think everypony in town is here!” “Well DUH, I sent an invitation to everypony in town, so of course everpony is here! Who would ignore a Pinkie Pie invitation!?” Soarin laughed, and took a bite of the cupcake he was holding steady with a wing. An explosion of raspberry hit his tongue right before the tang of lemon chased in after it. He hummed, and swallowed, saying “Apparently nopony. Thank you again. I don’t know what I can do to repay you.” Pinkie smiled, cotton candy hair bouncing as she hopped from hoof to hoof. “You can repay me by having the best night ever!” An hour into the party, a young mare entered Sugarcube Corner. There weren’t any hellos exchanged, no one stopped their stories to call out her name and wave. If a poll were taken of everyone in the room, most would be reluctant to say they had ever seen her before in their entire lives. But that was ok with her. She didn’t want their attention. The colt that she wanted to talk to was standing by the counter, laughing at a story that a butter yellow pegasus was telling him, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. She recognized the rainbow speedster from the various Wonderbolts tryouts that came through Equestria, though most weren’t in winter due to the cold. She stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath. She could do this. She could do this.. There was a gasp from across the room, and ponies were hastily shoved aside as a pink bullet shot straight through the crowd. There were calls of “Watch it!”, but Pinkie Pie didn’t hear them. She was eye to eye with the young mare, who looked absolutely terrified. “Ohmygosh a pony I haven’t met yet!” she exclaimed, taking the other mare’s hoof and shaking it so quickly that her entire body seemed to shake right along. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get you an invite to the party because I didn’t know you! But you found your way to the party anyway thank goodness! My name’s Pinkie Pie, what’s yours?” The light blue mare pulled her hoof free, breathing heavily. Pinkie Pie didn’t seem to realize that her close proximity was causing this unknown pony grief, and tilted her head to one side when she didn’t immediately answer. She tapped a hoof, impatient to hear the other pony talk. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” she emphasized this by sticking out her own pink tongue, waggling it while trying to talk. “ifh a cat had your ton, you would shound like dish!” She succeeded in getting the mare to smile, and Pinkie’s tongue shot back into her lips, which split into a grin. “There we go! Now what’s your name?” “My...my name is Snowflake.” The voice was quiet and sweet, and Pinkie grinned wider. “That’s so pretty! Almost as pretty as my friend Rarity’s! She’s over there, with the purple mane. She’s talking to the one the party is about! That’s..” “Soarin.” Snowflake breathed, eyes widening. There he was! Her breath came in shallow gasps as her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest. Pinkie Pie looked from Snowflake to the unsuspecting Soarin, a plan slowly starting to brew in her brain. She grabbed Snowflake by the shoulders with one hoof and threw her other hoof into the air, shouting “HEY SOARIN! COME MEET THIS PONY!” Snowflake felt her world starting to crumble. Her hooves became jelly, and she wobbled dangerously as Soarin’s green eyes met hers across the room. His widened while hers shrank, and tension flared between them. Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were staring around his shoulders with mixed expressions. Rarity’s was appraising, deciding on whether or not she liked the short mane and tail given her complexion and body type. Fluttershy stared at her with curiosity, but hid it behind her length of pink mane. Rainbow Dash’s face showed mistrust, and a bit of concern regarding this mare coming out of nowhere and wanting to talk to Soarin. There was a full minute of silence, all the while Pinkie Pie remained frozen in place, goofy grin on her face and a hoof holding Snowflake hostage while she willed the earth to swallow her up at that exact moment. Finally Soarin broke the tension and made his way to where the two mares stood. Now that he was about to talk to this strange mare, he felt his heart begin to beat quicker. What would he say? What would she say? The uncertainty made his pace slow and steady, and each second felt like agony to Snowflake. The closer he got, the more Snowflake leaned away from Pinkie Pie, hoping that the electric pink pony would let her go so she could leave. But the pink hoof held her fast, as if Pinkie knew that she was trying to bolt. She was nearing panic when Soarin reached two feet away he stopped. Both ponies remained silent, staring at eachother as if the other had grown a second head. It was Soarin who spoke first, saying “Hello.” “H-hello.” Again, awkward silence. Pinkie Pie looked from one pony to another, her smile perpetually plastered to her face. “Well! You guys are getting along great! I’ll just leave you two alone Okie Dokie Lokie?” One more glance between the two and she bolted away to find somepony else to bother. Snowflake remained adamantly silent, staring at the ground while twirling her hoof around in circles. Soarin coughed, trying to think of something to ask that didn’t involve her following him or anything like that. He flapped his wings to release some tension, then said “So, what’s your name?” The mare muttered something, and Soarin was reminded of Fluttershy, though her mane was much shorter and she seemed to be even more jittery than the timid pegasus. He leaned forward, and she leaned back. “I didn’t hear that, sorry it’s kind of loud in here.” “I’m....S-s-s” Her voiced failed her, and she whimpered. “I’m sure it’s pretty, it’s alright.” “I’m....Snowfl-Snowflake.” Soarin smiled reassuringly. “See, I was right. Are you a visitor here? I don’t remember you from when I last visited.” He lowered his head, attempting to look at her eyes. She curled in on herself, shriveling away from his curious gaze. Her lowered lip quivered, and her body threatened to shake to pieces. “I-i-i have to g-go.” She said suddenly, turning away and trying to make a quick escape. Soarin reached out and grasped her shoulder, and gasped when she turned to face him. Her eyes were large, the irises the palest shade of blue. At first glance they looked almost white. There were tears swimming at the corners of her eyes that were framed by long black lashes. They were beautiful. Snowflake took the opportunity of his stunned silence to wriggle free, galloping away through the crowd and blasting through the door. She ran away, tears staying put in her eyes even though she felt like crying. She blew it. He was talking to her and she blew it! Soarin stared at her exit route, hoof still floating in the air. Those eyes....those beautiful eyes! All around him, the party faded away, the merriment washing away into the background as his mind turned over the latest encounter with that odd mare. Snowflake he mentally corrected, amending his view of her. Her name is Snowflake. 4. Soarin, My DearestA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter 4: Soarin, My Dearest ooOooooOooooOoo Snowflake watched as Soarin left the library, a twinge of jealousy crossing her heart before being replaced with shame. She had no right to be jealous. They could be just friends, and even if they weren’t, what right did Snowflake have to be jealous? Oh but it was so hard not to be. His blue fur was practically begging her to reach out and stroke it, and his mussed up mane was perfect despite its wind tossed look. Soarin leaned over to Twilight Sparkle and said something that caused them both to laugh, and Snowflake shivered down to the tips of her hooves. That laugh! She had never heard him laugh before! The feeling it brought made her want to melt into the ground. As he took off for home, Snowflake felt another twinge, this time of sadness. She had no way of following him, and certainly wasn’t going to stand under his home and wait for him to emerge again. With a content sigh, she wandered through town, back to her copse of trees and her thoughts. On the way, she stopped in at Sugarcube Corner, and immediately felt an oppressive wave of heat hit her as she opened the door. She cringed, but walked in anyway. “Well hi there!” said Mr. Cake. His skinny yellow frame was being used as a jungle gym for two very adorable foals that cooed and laughed as they climbed all over him. Snowflake giggled, and Mr. Cake grinned sheepishly, prying Pumpkin Cake from his neck. “Sorry ‘bout them. They are in the Want Daddy stage.” he chortled, placing Pumpkin Cake on the ground, who promptly crawled over and clutched his leg. Snowflake covered her laugh with a hoof, and then lowered it, saying “Do you have any sugar cookies today?” “Oh yes, we have some coming out of the oven right now!” Mrs. Cake said, coming through the saloon style doors that separated the kitchen from the main store. A tray balanced on her back, steam spiraling from the hot cookies. Snowflake waved her hoof, pointing to the ones that were in the case. “If it’s alright, I’ll take those ones.” “Oh but dear, those are cold! These ones are nice and hot!” “If it’s all the same, I would like those ones.” Mr. Cake gave her a considering look, but picked up the tray of cold cookies, packing a dozen away into a box and tying it with a string so that the mare could carry it in her mouth. She paid and thanked them graciously, feeling the heat of the room becoming too much for her to handle. As she left, Mr. Cake looked to his wife. “Have you ever seen her before?” “No dear, I was hoping you had.” “I wonder who she is.” Home among the trees, Snowflake, took a minute or two to clean away the snow that had fallen from the trees above onto her bed. Bed was a generous word, it really was not more than a few boughs of an evergreen tree stacked on top of one another to create a mattress in the middle of a semicircle of tall bushes that kept away the wind with their tightly woven branches. Snowflake didn’t mind, out in the elements was where she belonged, where she felt most at home. A couple of birds hopped form the upper tree branches and whistled at her, to which she smiled. They were gentle songbirds, and at her smile continued to whistle away a tune that was bright and upbeat. It complimented the feeling of happiness that was within her heart. The mare hummed along with the birds, wiping away the last of the snow before settling into the boughs. She placed the box of cookies at her side, intent on eating them a little later. “Little birds, do you know what happened today?” she said softly, looking back to the red feathered birds, who hopped a little closer. Her smile was sweeter, and combined with a slight blush that took to her cheeks as she told her story. “I was walking back here, and I saw Soarin again! He was leaving the library, and guess what? I got to hear him laugh!” She waited for a moment as if the birds were going to respond, but they remained silent, not really understanding what the mare below them was saying, but feeling that it was important that they pay attention. Snowflake rolled onto her back, short hair splaying behind her head like a halo, and she sighed, hugging herself tightly. The breath that escaped her was deep, and full of elation. It was exactly the same feeling she felt a couple hours after Pinkie Pie’s party disaster. She had run away, leaving Soarin with a gaping mouth and probably a very low opinion of her. She had come to this very spot, and cried over her lost chance at finally getting to know him. Once the sadness had worn off, it was replaced with the disbelief that she had actually talked to him. Spoken words to him, even if they were only a few and very hasty. Ane he knew her name! Someone knew who she was. The warm happy feeling that filled her up and kept her awake for hours and hours. He had said she had a pretty name. If she had stayed, maybe he would have called her pretty. Maybe they could have gotten coffee. Maybe... “I’ve never heard him laugh before. It was wonderful.” The last word was a sigh, and she closed her eyes, oblivious to the fact that the birds had taken this as an invitation to leave and had done just that. She was too far gone into a world where it was something witty that she had said that had caused Soarin to laugh and pull her close. He would tuck her under his wing, maybe tousle her mane lovingly. Oh Snowflake, you are a funny little mare... how lucky am I to have you? The snow began to fall lightly on the whole of Ponyville, but it seemed to be thicker where her trees were gathered. As she delved deeper into this daydream, Snowflake muttered a couple words, small smile still gracing her lips. “Soarin....I love you...”
1. Coming HomeA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter 1: Coming Home ooOooooOooooOoo Soarin slipped in and out of the gathering clouds, enjoying the weak sunlight on the tops of his wings and shivering at the slight, cold tinged air around him. It was the type of day that he was glad to be free from his usual duties as a Wonderbolt. The wind caressed his body, carrying him, lifting him higher into the sky and around fluffy pillars of greyish white. Without goggles, Soarin had to squint through the cold air, but he knew the way he was travelling by heart, even if it had been a long time since he had come this way. The prospect of deeply relaxing sped his heart and his wings faster, and his undulating path straightened out into an impatient bee line toward his destination. In fact, Soarin was enjoying his first day of an entire winter off. He rarely took time off of work, and his commanders knew that he was always a reliable choice to come in on his day off, however sparse or well deserved they may be. Being Mr. Reliable meant that he never took vacations, and his vacation time had added up to where he would have to use it, or lose it. So when Spitfire came to him with that ultimatum, the Pegasus colt decided that he could use an extended vacation at home in Ponyville. He assigned a younger recruit with a knack for organization to take his place in his absence, hung up his uniform, packed his bags and sent them away to his home in the clouds above the Everfree Forest. Now he too was making the trek back to where he had began, the few things he had left at home packed away in the saddlebags that looped across his back. A sigh escaped his lips as he barrel rolled, forming into a happy smile. He hadn't been back to Ponyville in ages, and he wondered if anyone had moved in or out. The thought of walking the familiar streets again filled him with glee. Hopefully Pinkie Pie would be there, her parties were way too much fun to go without, and Rarity of course, he was in need a of a new winter jacket…. These musings kept his mind busy until he arrived at his second home. He pushed open the fluffy door, noting that the moving ponies had left all of his things in the middle of the walkway. The house was smaller than his usual home. Being a vacation house, it was simpler but inviting. The hallway opened to the left and right a few paces down. The left turned into the living room that was filled with squishy cloud furniture. To the right was the dining room, where chairs for eight were pushed in neatly around the expansive table. The open arch broke the wall between the kitchen and dining room; a window allowed those who were cooking to converse with those in the dining room with no problems. Farther down the hall, it curved to the right, with a bathroom under the staircase that erupted from the floor. It was this path that Soarin followed after inching his way past his pile of belongings. The staircase led to an open loft with four doors along the walls. Three were bedrooms, one was a bathroom. The whole home felt as if it should be housing a family, not just one pony. But Soarin typically had friends over, and those friends liked to drink cider. He would rather have them collapse in a spare bedroom than try to fly home after one too many. After checking to make sure everything was where he left it and hastily emptying his saddlebags onto the cloud bed, Soarin went back down to the front door and walked outside, staring down at the Everfree Forest. It spread out below him like a fluffy carpet, hardly scary and nightmare inducing with patches of golden sunlight illuminating the rapidly depleting leaves. Fall was at its end; tomorrow winter would begin and soon snow would replace the leaves as foliage for the trees. The blue Pegasus took off, noting that the air was a bit colder than when he arrived. Winter may not wait until tomorrow morning. He circled lazily, enjoying the view from above before landing just outside the marketplace of Ponyville, dried grass splintering under his feet. The market was in full swing, and along with the last minute sales of veggies and fruits, stalls were offering hot chocolate, apple cider and even scarves. Sleds were lined up alongside on building; the pony selling them was talking loudly in hopes of attracting early sales since the air held a promise of snow to come. There was a merry buzz throughout the market, punctuated here and there by a stern haggler’s tone or the loudly spoken greetings of friends from one stall to another. Soon the buildings would be strung with lights, and snowponies would become regular guests in the town square. But for now there was just the promise of those things to come, and even just a promise was enough to lighten everypony’s hearts and souls. Soarin chuckled, seeing two young fillies, one pale yellow and one a bright orange eyeing a pink sled with flowers on it. From the disjointed conversation, they seemed to be trying to come up with a way to pay for it before the snow hit. “Ah don’t know Scoots, we have to know how to bake before we can have a bake sale.” “Can’t your family just give us some apple tarts and stuff?” “You know we can’t do that, we need that money to buy supplies over the winter. Maybe Twist can show us how to make candy! Then we could have a sweets sale!” “Great idea Apple Bloom! And maybe we’ll get our cutie marks as candy makers!” Soarin chuckled again, then he pulled out his shopping list, inspecting it once and tucking it under his wing. There wasn’t any food in the vacation home, so his list was quite expansive. He made his way to the nearest stall, inching past the crowds of ponies with apologies and easy nudges. An hour or so passed before he had finished shopping. His saddlebags bulged with produce, and his mouth was dry from all of the talking he had done. The stall keepers were happy to see him back. He chatted with ponies he had gone to school with, trying to avoid going into too much detail about his job. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy his line of work; it was the greatest job a pony could ever have in his mind. But it got tiring telling the same stories to different ponies who all gave the same reactions. Ponyville was special to him because he had grown up in the town, so everpony already knew him and treated him like everypony else, not like a celebrity. Minus the occasional fan that popped up every now and then. His stomach growled. Time for a snack. He spotted Sugarcube Corner and liked his lips, hoping there might be a few more Sweet Apple Acres apple pies left under the counters. While walking to the front door, greeting ponies he knew and waving a hoof, he spied a pony watching him. They were gazing from behind someone, eyes veiled behind bangs. When he stopped and stared at this unknown pony, he found that they had disappeared. Strange. He thought, pushing open the door. The ring of the bell above the door prompted a call of “One second!” from under the counter. A fluffy pink head came into view, followed by bright blue eyes that almost vibrated with excitement when she saw her patron. “Soarin! What are you doing here?” “I’m here for the whole winter.” He said calmly, smiling. Pinkie Pie’s eyes exploded into firecrackers. Suddenly she was in his face, grin wide enough to split her face in half. “Really?!” she said, voice growing shrill. “The whole winter?! That means you’ll be here for the first snow, and baking cookies, and Hearth’s Warming Eve, and ice skating and HHHHHOOOOAAAA!” a gasp drew her excited tirade to a stop and she gaped at Soarin as if seeing him for the first time. “But first you need a welcome back party! With cake! And streamers! And balloons!” she started to take a breath to continue her list of things he “had” to have when a gentle blue hoof covered her chattering mouth. “First, can I get an apple pie?” Soarin asked with amusement, allowing Pinkie to have her mouth back only when she nodded quickly. “Of course Soarin-woarin! Applejack just delivered the last pies of the year! I know just the one for you!” Her mind was still abuzz with her ever growing list of things for Soarin’s Welcome Home Party. She chattered away while pulling out a steaming confection the likes Soarin hadn't seen in probably forever. His ears completely ignored the excitable pink pony ringing him up. His whole attention was on the glorious thing in front of him. Soarin left Sugarcube Corner with an apple pie balanced on his back in front of the saddle bags and a piece of paper in his mouth, dictating the time and date of his party. He chuckled from behind the paper as Pinkie poked her head out of the door and said “Bye bye Soarin! See you on Saturday!” He waved absently behind him, making sure not to drop his precious pie. It was growing later in the afternoon. A visit to Rarity would have to wait until next time, but not too long. The wind danced around the clouds that were dropping lower, bringing a trace more of cold into his face. But once he got home, his whole body would be warm from delicious pie.... When his mind came off of the treat warming the space between his wings, he noticed somepony watching him from behind a stall. From this distance and the angle of their face, Soarin could see that his watcher was a mare. The pale blue fur around her face shimmered slightly in the remaining sunlight, and her mane was chin length, and white. He leaned forward, but he couldn't make out what color her eyes were. Her cutie mark was also hidden from view behind the wooden planks of the stall she was so carefully concealing herself with. Soarin opened his mouth to say something, and he dropped the paper that he held. He muttered something, and bent to pick it back up before it got too dirty. When he looked down to find it and looked back up, the mare was gone. This left him confused, and more than a little concerned. Who was she? Why was she staring at him? He shook his head, playing it off as a fan that just happened to be in town, and took off carefully, making sure his cargo wasn’t wobbly. For now he would forget about the white haired mare. He had a pie to eat. ooOooooOooooOoo Panting, a silver blue mare skidded to a halt behind somepony's house. She shivered, feeling sweat beading along her shoulders. Too close. Too close for comfort. She inhaled deeply, feeling the cold air enter her lungs. It didn't sting like it normally should. It felt invigorating. She looked up at the sky in time to see a light blue pegasus circle one more time, and then shoot off toward the walking bridge and the Everfree Forest. A deep sigh wiggled its way out of the mare's lips, and she leaned against the building's wall to keep herself steady. What a beautiful creature....
2. New JacketA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter Two: New Jacket ooOooooOooooOoo The sunlight filtered through the light clouds that protected the bedroom window. It slowly crept up the floor, and clung to the edges of the bedspread, crawling its way across the blankets and finally reaching its goal: the calm face of Soarin Stormcloud. His mouth was illuminated first; it was slack and open just a crack through which gentle breath escaped. Next came his cheek, just the left one since he was laying on his side. Finally the ultimate goal was achieved. His eyes cracked open in response to the light, and he groaned, rolling over and letting out a yawn. Sunlight. Winter must not have come in the night like he originally thought. As he rolled from his bed however, he was immediately struck by a wall of cold air. He let out another groan, shivering and shaking out the kinks in his legs. Moving to the window, he saw that his ice home was coated in a layer of frost, and the sunlight that had penetrated his sleep was weak and couldn’t melt the frost that had taken hold of Equestria in the night. The ground below sparkled with ice, and the ponies of Ponyville had yet to rise to greet the day. Soarin yawned tremendously, stretching his wings before moving to the bathroom for a nice warm shower. Refreshed and slightly warmer, the light blue colt went downstairs to the kitchen, pouring a bowl of cereal as opposed to making a full on breakfast. It was too early and he was too lazy. As he munched, he contemplated his activities for the day. Other than getting fitted at Carousal Boutique, he really had no other plans. Perhaps we would see what Lyra and Bon Bon were up to… It was strange not being at work. His body was ready to go, to fly and tumble and protect Equestria. His mind however, was firmly aware that he was on vacation, and intermittent yawns snuck out between bites. Finished with breakfast, he took another minute or two to stretch before leaving home and following the same path as the day before down to Ponyville. His flight down to Ponyville left him shivering as he touched the ground. The tattered scarf that hung around his throat waved feebly, as if to shoo away the cold that nipped at Soarin’s nose. He hustled to Carousel Boutique, blowing on his hoof before knocking on the brightly colored door. He was greeting by an ivory mare with a flowing mane of deep purple. Despite the early hour, Rarity was already awake and primped; not an eyelash or hair was out of place. She ushered him inside was an expertly manicured hoof, saying “Soarin dear! You are in town? How could I have not known?” He let her lead him to the fitting room, saying “I just got here yesterday. I have the entire winter off.” “Really?” came the reply, tinged with a slight accent. Soarin always thought she sounded like she belonged in Canterlot rather than Ponyville. Her horn glowed as she wandered the room, gathering pins, measuring tapes and a clipboard. “I didn’t know the Wonderbolts could take an entire season off.” “They can when they haven’t had a sick day in four years.” He said, smiling. Soarin faced the mirrors, saying “I was hoping you could fit me for a new jacket. The one I have is…” “Last season!” Rarity chirped, levitating the measuring tape over the get the length of his legs while Opal, a fluffy white cat, twisted through her master’s legs with expert ease. “I know exactly what you mean! A trendsetter like you should be in the latest fashions. Why on my last visit to Canterlot, I saw this chicest jacket and vest set that you would look smashing in...” “Actually.” Soarin interrupted, chuckling. “My last jacket fell apart at the seams. I was just hoping to get a replacement in the same style.” There was silence, followed by Rarity’s large eyes staring at his through the mirror reflection. “Oh dear! Don’t they teach you how to take care of clothes?” a mildly horrified Rarity said, pausing to write down her measures. “Or did you buy it from some shoddy work horse who doesn’t know a top stitch from a blanket stitch?” Opal meowed in agreement, playing with one of the discarded measuring tapes. “To think that somepony would sell such unfinished work to a celebrity like you! Why if you told me who they were, I have half a mind to -” “I actually bought it from you.” There was a long pause. “….Oh…w-well then you must have worn it too much..yes, that’s it. You wore it too hard!” Soarin laughed again as the elegant mare smiled sheepishly, choosing to hurry through the measurements instead of berating him further. After she had gotten the information she needed, Soarin gave her a few suggestions, and then left the Boutique with Rarity shooing him away, mannequin already floating towards her as she donned her red glasses and began to sew. The sunlight had be almost covered up; patches fell through the cloud cover here and there. The air felt heavy, as if it were going to rain. Soarin shivered, and wandered toward the nearest café for a hot chocolate. Ponies were starting to wake up and move from place to place. He waved at a few ponies that he knew, even stopping to chat with the local clock maker about how his business was faring. This turned into a meeting with his daughter and he was assured by the clock maker that she was "quite the catch and a good cook to boot!" After the slightly awkward conversations with a stuttering filly barely old enough to be considered for dating, Soarin made his way back to his original plans. "After that I feel like I need some hard cider instead." he muttered to himself, plodding through the streets. The cafe was in sight now, the promise of a warm environment and even warmer drinks making him increase his pace. On his way, he felt a tingle along the back of his neck. The kind of tingle somepony gets when they are being watched. Soarin kept his eyes trained ahead, determined not to give his watcher the attention she apparently needed. The tingle continued through his wings, and he resisted the urge to open them to release the tension. When he entered the café, the buzz of the conversations inside was seconded only by the wave of warmth that washed over him. He hazarded a glance behind him. Sure enough, behind a tree, the shimmery blue mare was watching him with those eyes. Those eyes he couldn’t see. He turned away, finding a table and enjoying chatting with the waiter while drinking a lovely hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows. He exited the café, and immediately saw that his watcher was still there, eyes trained on Soarin and Soarin only. He made a show of walking casually toward the building she was near, never looking her way until he was close enough to speak loudly. “Hey.” He said, and his voice traveled slowly on the heavy air. “I don’t know who you are, but you had better stop running when I come to talk to you.” The mare froze, eyes widening as she realized her mistake. Her breathing increased, and she took a tentative step backwards. “I said don’t run.” Soarin said, noting her step. “Why won’t you just talk to me?” The mare opened her mouth, eyes trained downwards. She looked as if she were trying to force words, sound, anything to come out of her mouth. Soarin took a step toward her, noting that her mane had the same shimmery quality as her coat. With his step the frost cracked, and the mare shivered, taking another step back. “I’m……I-I-I’m s-sorry.” Came a soft voice, almost too quiet to hear. It was Soarin’s turn to freeze, her voice stopping him in his tracks. It was if she had whispered over a light breeze. Her voice carried a slight sing-song cadence. The mare felt her heart beating out of her chest; her whole body wanted to shiver and shake. Instead with a flash of frost and a steady rhythm, she turned tail and ran to the other side of town, leaving one very confused and intrigued Soarin in her wake. The Pegasus stood there for a minute or two, staring at the place where she had been standing. That voice…. He suddenly shook his head, unruly mane flapping back and forth along his ears. “I’ll find out who you are.” He said to the wind, turning to his own direction and heading back the way he came. For the rest of the day he held conversations, but they didn’t interest him in the slightest. All he could think about was a pale blue mare with a soft voice like song. ooOooooOooooOoo Again the mare found herself running, running as fast as she could from Soarin. Oh Soarin.. Just the thought of the handsome colt being so close to her made her heart feel as if it were skipping time. It threatened to stop when she remembered his voice, asking why she didn’t speak to him. She stopped just shy of the schoolhouse and instead turned right toward a copse of trees. There she found shelter from the cold and from prying Pegasus eyes that might be looking for her. She lay among the fallen leaves and stubborn grasses determined to grow, and sighed, laying her head on her hoof. Thinking about apologizing to him made her want to kick and scream. Why had she apologized? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just out taking a walk and happened to spy him. The memory came back, and this time she smiled. He was so close to her. Spoke to her. The baritone of his voice made her very core shiver not with fear, but happiness. That core blossomed into warmth that took to her veins and filled her with something that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Perhaps never . She pulled her body close, willing that warmth to stay with her forever. Just like the sound of his voice….
3. The PartyA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter Three: The Party ooOooooOooooOoo The vacationing Wonderbolt spent the few days leading up to the party at home, choosing to relax now knowing he would be busy all Saturday night. He ordered take out, caught up on a book that he had been meaning to continue reading and lounged around his cloud home, entertaining only the very few pegasus that flew up to meet him. One such pony was the mail mare. Her strange knocked was followed by a smile with strange eyes that looked in two different directions. Soarin didn’t remember seeing her before, and assumed she had moved in somewhere in the past couple of years. “Mr. Soarin?” she said, her voice cheerful and happy. Her hoof dug into her mail bag, and a few letters slipped out and off into the wind. “I have a letter for you.” “Oh thank you...miss...?” “Derpy.” she said, finally fishing out the letter and inspecting it to make sure she wasn’t giving the wrong mail away. Again. Handing the letter over, she offered another winning smile, continuing to speak. “It’s Derpy Hooves. That looks like an invitation to Pinkie’s party this weekend. I can’t wait to go!” “It should be....interesting to say the least.” the colt replied, chuckling. Giving Derpy a smile, he said “Thank you very much Miss Hooves” “No problem, it’s my job!” she said, taking off from his doorstep with a flurry of wings and envelopes. Soarin, still smiling over his encounter, closed the door with his back hoof, opening the letter and revealing a bright pink invitation covered in stickers. Inside detailed that the party was for him, as well as the time and date. He stared at the invitation strangely. Why would Pinkie send me an invitation to my own party? But he shook off the odd occurrence as nothing. Pinkie did very strange things. He left the invitation on the counter, and went back to his business of reading. The wind gusted through a window, pulling on the edge of the card and flipping it open. It seemed determined, and after a couple more gusts, the invitation skidded along the table and lifted off. It flew through the open window, and fluttered down to the earth below, carried on now triumphant winds. There wasn’t a sound as it landed on the earth. There it lay, getting slightly damp from the ever present frost until a pale hoof picked it up. This same pale hoof held it aloft, reading the words inside. “A...a party? For Soarin?” came a soft exclamation, followed by a gaze upward. She knew it was his home, she had watched him fly there the last time he had left. Briefly she wondered why the invitation had fallen. Maybe he had dropped it for her! Her heart beat an erratic rhythm,but her head told her not to be so stupid. It probably just fell from the window. She really should return it... The mare looked at her light blue back, sighing. No wings. “I guess I can give it to him at the party.” she mumbled, tucking the invite away in her mane. “A party! I’ve never been to a party!” ooOooooOooooOoo Sugarcube Corner was alight from the inside, and when the door opened to let somepony in music blared from the opening. Balloons and streamers were tied to every available cranny, and a large banner depicting Soarin was strung from one corner to another. The colt of the hour was standing just out of the beam of light, and coughed nervously. It looked like every pony in Ponyville was showing up tonight. He adjusted his new jacket’s collar for the hundredth time, and took a deep breath. It was just a party right? He was in front of crowds all of the time... Of course those crowds are far below me. I can’t make out their faces. There was no more time to wait. He was already fashionably late, and had run out of excuses for not going inside. So he put on his brave face, and entered the beam of light coming from the windows. He pushed open the door, and was assaulted with light and noise. Sugarcube Corner was decked out in blue and yellow streamers that wound around poles and leapt from one side of the ceiling to the other gayly. Each streamer ended in a bow with a yellow lightning bolt with light blue wings, exactly like his cutie mark. There was a long table against one wall laden with every sweet treat imaginable including... Soarin licked his lips, spying a few apple pies steaming with warmth despite the warm temperature inside.Tables had been cleared away from the central part of the room, where there was currently a conga line dancing to the upbeat music played from the record player nearby. A large bowl of punch stood on its own table, with plastic cups circling it. Everywhere he looked Soarin saw ponies. They chatted and laughed and ate, everypony seemed to be enjoying themselves. When he entered the room, eyes began to drift toward him, and everypony had a smile on their face. There was a collective inhale and suddenly the entire room of ponies shouted. “WELCOME HOME SOARIN!” He felt buffeted by the noise, but grinned while covering his ears. “Thanks everypony!” he shouted back, moving farther inside so that he could shut the door from the cold. He immediately went for some punch, and after downing a glass, he mingled among his friends, sharing a story or two and laughing about the stories they had to tell. He gave Berry Punch a pat on the back, congratulating her on her recent success with opening a bar, and promising to visit sometime very soon. After every snippet of conversation, he always ended it with a hearty thank you for the attendance of the pony in question. In this fashion he made his way through the crowd, pausing to sign an autograph for the same orange filly he had spied earlier in the week with what he guessed was an Apple family member, judging by her name. The filly, named Scootaloo, hugged the napkin close, grinning widely and saying “This is going next to my picture of Rainbow Dash!” before scampering off to squeal with her friends that stood by a table nearby. Soarin felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to see Pinkie Pie, who was in her element and looked as if at the slightest provocation, she would explode into a rain of confetti and cookies. “Isn’t this party great!?” she squealed, throwing a hoof around to indicate the merriment in the room. “It really is Pinkie, thank you. I think everypony in town is here!” “Well DUH, I sent an invitation to everypony in town, so of course everpony is here! Who would ignore a Pinkie Pie invitation!?” Soarin laughed, and took a bite of the cupcake he was holding steady with a wing. An explosion of raspberry hit his tongue right before the tang of lemon chased in after it. He hummed, and swallowed, saying “Apparently nopony. Thank you again. I don’t know what I can do to repay you.” Pinkie smiled, cotton candy hair bouncing as she hopped from hoof to hoof. “You can repay me by having the best night ever!” An hour into the party, a young mare entered Sugarcube Corner. There weren’t any hellos exchanged, no one stopped their stories to call out her name and wave. If a poll were taken of everyone in the room, most would be reluctant to say they had ever seen her before in their entire lives. But that was ok with her. She didn’t want their attention. The colt that she wanted to talk to was standing by the counter, laughing at a story that a butter yellow pegasus was telling him, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. She recognized the rainbow speedster from the various Wonderbolts tryouts that came through Equestria, though most weren’t in winter due to the cold. She stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath. She could do this. She could do this.. There was a gasp from across the room, and ponies were hastily shoved aside as a pink bullet shot straight through the crowd. There were calls of “Watch it!”, but Pinkie Pie didn’t hear them. She was eye to eye with the young mare, who looked absolutely terrified. “Ohmygosh a pony I haven’t met yet!” she exclaimed, taking the other mare’s hoof and shaking it so quickly that her entire body seemed to shake right along. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get you an invite to the party because I didn’t know you! But you found your way to the party anyway thank goodness! My name’s Pinkie Pie, what’s yours?” The light blue mare pulled her hoof free, breathing heavily. Pinkie Pie didn’t seem to realize that her close proximity was causing this unknown pony grief, and tilted her head to one side when she didn’t immediately answer. She tapped a hoof, impatient to hear the other pony talk. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” she emphasized this by sticking out her own pink tongue, waggling it while trying to talk. “ifh a cat had your ton, you would shound like dish!” She succeeded in getting the mare to smile, and Pinkie’s tongue shot back into her lips, which split into a grin. “There we go! Now what’s your name?” “My...my name is Snowflake.” The voice was quiet and sweet, and Pinkie grinned wider. “That’s so pretty! Almost as pretty as my friend Rarity’s! She’s over there, with the purple mane. She’s talking to the one the party is about! That’s..” “Soarin.” Snowflake breathed, eyes widening. There he was! Her breath came in shallow gasps as her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest. Pinkie Pie looked from Snowflake to the unsuspecting Soarin, a plan slowly starting to brew in her brain. She grabbed Snowflake by the shoulders with one hoof and threw her other hoof into the air, shouting “HEY SOARIN! COME MEET THIS PONY!” Snowflake felt her world starting to crumble. Her hooves became jelly, and she wobbled dangerously as Soarin’s green eyes met hers across the room. His widened while hers shrank, and tension flared between them. Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were staring around his shoulders with mixed expressions. Rarity’s was appraising, deciding on whether or not she liked the short mane and tail given her complexion and body type. Fluttershy stared at her with curiosity, but hid it behind her length of pink mane. Rainbow Dash’s face showed mistrust, and a bit of concern regarding this mare coming out of nowhere and wanting to talk to Soarin. There was a full minute of silence, all the while Pinkie Pie remained frozen in place, goofy grin on her face and a hoof holding Snowflake hostage while she willed the earth to swallow her up at that exact moment. Finally Soarin broke the tension and made his way to where the two mares stood. Now that he was about to talk to this strange mare, he felt his heart begin to beat quicker. What would he say? What would she say? The uncertainty made his pace slow and steady, and each second felt like agony to Snowflake. The closer he got, the more Snowflake leaned away from Pinkie Pie, hoping that the electric pink pony would let her go so she could leave. But the pink hoof held her fast, as if Pinkie knew that she was trying to bolt. She was nearing panic when Soarin reached two feet away he stopped. Both ponies remained silent, staring at eachother as if the other had grown a second head. It was Soarin who spoke first, saying “Hello.” “H-hello.” Again, awkward silence. Pinkie Pie looked from one pony to another, her smile perpetually plastered to her face. “Well! You guys are getting along great! I’ll just leave you two alone Okie Dokie Lokie?” One more glance between the two and she bolted away to find somepony else to bother. Snowflake remained adamantly silent, staring at the ground while twirling her hoof around in circles. Soarin coughed, trying to think of something to ask that didn’t involve her following him or anything like that. He flapped his wings to release some tension, then said “So, what’s your name?” The mare muttered something, and Soarin was reminded of Fluttershy, though her mane was much shorter and she seemed to be even more jittery than the timid pegasus. He leaned forward, and she leaned back. “I didn’t hear that, sorry it’s kind of loud in here.” “I’m....S-s-s” Her voiced failed her, and she whimpered. “I’m sure it’s pretty, it’s alright.” “I’m....Snowfl-Snowflake.” Soarin smiled reassuringly. “See, I was right. Are you a visitor here? I don’t remember you from when I last visited.” He lowered his head, attempting to look at her eyes. She curled in on herself, shriveling away from his curious gaze. Her lowered lip quivered, and her body threatened to shake to pieces. “I-i-i have to g-go.” She said suddenly, turning away and trying to make a quick escape. Soarin reached out and grasped her shoulder, and gasped when she turned to face him. Her eyes were large, the irises the palest shade of blue. At first glance they looked almost white. There were tears swimming at the corners of her eyes that were framed by long black lashes. They were beautiful. Snowflake took the opportunity of his stunned silence to wriggle free, galloping away through the crowd and blasting through the door. She ran away, tears staying put in her eyes even though she felt like crying. She blew it. He was talking to her and she blew it! Soarin stared at her exit route, hoof still floating in the air. Those eyes....those beautiful eyes! All around him, the party faded away, the merriment washing away into the background as his mind turned over the latest encounter with that odd mare. Snowflake he mentally corrected, amending his view of her. Her name is Snowflake.
4. Soarin, My DearestA Winter Tale By Blue Eyed Melloon Chapter 4: Soarin, My Dearest ooOooooOooooOoo Snowflake watched as Soarin left the library, a twinge of jealousy crossing her heart before being replaced with shame. She had no right to be jealous. They could be just friends, and even if they weren’t, what right did Snowflake have to be jealous? Oh but it was so hard not to be. His blue fur was practically begging her to reach out and stroke it, and his mussed up mane was perfect despite its wind tossed look. Soarin leaned over to Twilight Sparkle and said something that caused them both to laugh, and Snowflake shivered down to the tips of her hooves. That laugh! She had never heard him laugh before! The feeling it brought made her want to melt into the ground. As he took off for home, Snowflake felt another twinge, this time of sadness. She had no way of following him, and certainly wasn’t going to stand under his home and wait for him to emerge again. With a content sigh, she wandered through town, back to her copse of trees and her thoughts. On the way, she stopped in at Sugarcube Corner, and immediately felt an oppressive wave of heat hit her as she opened the door. She cringed, but walked in anyway. “Well hi there!” said Mr. Cake. His skinny yellow frame was being used as a jungle gym for two very adorable foals that cooed and laughed as they climbed all over him. Snowflake giggled, and Mr. Cake grinned sheepishly, prying Pumpkin Cake from his neck. “Sorry ‘bout them. They are in the Want Daddy stage.” he chortled, placing Pumpkin Cake on the ground, who promptly crawled over and clutched his leg. Snowflake covered her laugh with a hoof, and then lowered it, saying “Do you have any sugar cookies today?” “Oh yes, we have some coming out of the oven right now!” Mrs. Cake said, coming through the saloon style doors that separated the kitchen from the main store. A tray balanced on her back, steam spiraling from the hot cookies. Snowflake waved her hoof, pointing to the ones that were in the case. “If it’s alright, I’ll take those ones.” “Oh but dear, those are cold! These ones are nice and hot!” “If it’s all the same, I would like those ones.” Mr. Cake gave her a considering look, but picked up the tray of cold cookies, packing a dozen away into a box and tying it with a string so that the mare could carry it in her mouth. She paid and thanked them graciously, feeling the heat of the room becoming too much for her to handle. As she left, Mr. Cake looked to his wife. “Have you ever seen her before?” “No dear, I was hoping you had.” “I wonder who she is.” Home among the trees, Snowflake, took a minute or two to clean away the snow that had fallen from the trees above onto her bed. Bed was a generous word, it really was not more than a few boughs of an evergreen tree stacked on top of one another to create a mattress in the middle of a semicircle of tall bushes that kept away the wind with their tightly woven branches. Snowflake didn’t mind, out in the elements was where she belonged, where she felt most at home. A couple of birds hopped form the upper tree branches and whistled at her, to which she smiled. They were gentle songbirds, and at her smile continued to whistle away a tune that was bright and upbeat. It complimented the feeling of happiness that was within her heart. The mare hummed along with the birds, wiping away the last of the snow before settling into the boughs. She placed the box of cookies at her side, intent on eating them a little later. “Little birds, do you know what happened today?” she said softly, looking back to the red feathered birds, who hopped a little closer. Her smile was sweeter, and combined with a slight blush that took to her cheeks as she told her story. “I was walking back here, and I saw Soarin again! He was leaving the library, and guess what? I got to hear him laugh!” She waited for a moment as if the birds were going to respond, but they remained silent, not really understanding what the mare below them was saying, but feeling that it was important that they pay attention. Snowflake rolled onto her back, short hair splaying behind her head like a halo, and she sighed, hugging herself tightly. The breath that escaped her was deep, and full of elation. It was exactly the same feeling she felt a couple hours after Pinkie Pie’s party disaster. She had run away, leaving Soarin with a gaping mouth and probably a very low opinion of her. She had come to this very spot, and cried over her lost chance at finally getting to know him. Once the sadness had worn off, it was replaced with the disbelief that she had actually talked to him. Spoken words to him, even if they were only a few and very hasty. Ane he knew her name! Someone knew who she was. The warm happy feeling that filled her up and kept her awake for hours and hours. He had said she had a pretty name. If she had stayed, maybe he would have called her pretty. Maybe they could have gotten coffee. Maybe... “I’ve never heard him laugh before. It was wonderful.” The last word was a sigh, and she closed her eyes, oblivious to the fact that the birds had taken this as an invitation to leave and had done just that. She was too far gone into a world where it was something witty that she had said that had caused Soarin to laugh and pull her close. He would tuck her under his wing, maybe tousle her mane lovingly. Oh Snowflake, you are a funny little mare... how lucky am I to have you? The snow began to fall lightly on the whole of Ponyville, but it seemed to be thicker where her trees were gathered. As she delved deeper into this daydream, Snowflake muttered a couple words, small smile still gracing her lips. “Soarin....I love you...”
