The spark of hearth's warming eve
The Spark of Something More
Nova Heart stood at the window of her room, her gray fur blending into the soft shadows as she gazed out over the Crystal Empire. The holiday celebrations below seemed so vibrant—so full of life—but it all felt like a distant dream. The lights twinkling in the distance, the families gathered in warmth and joy, only reminded her of what she lacked: a place where she truly belonged.
With a deep sigh, Nova turned away from the window. Her eyes, a soft pinkish-red, met her reflection in the mirror. Her long, flowing pink-highlighted mane and simple earth pony appearance were all that set her apart as different—an outsider in this glittering world. Born in the Crystal Empire, surrounded by ponies who were nothing like her, Nova often felt invisible, as if she were lost in the crowds.
She had spent the evening in her room, avoiding the grand Hearth's Warming Eve celebration her mother, Flurry Heart, had arranged. Flurry’s voice had reached her through the door earlier, calling her to the party, but it only sounded so distant. It was like she was meant to play a part, to put on a mask, when all she wanted was escape.
Now, finally, the last of the guests were beginning to leave. Nova waited until the house was still and quiet, her mother’s laughter fading away down the hall. With her heart pounding, Nova decided it was time. She was leaving.
Slipping out the door and quietly down the hallway, Nova moved with as much stealth as she could muster, the cold draft of the night greeting her as she stepped outside the castle. Hearth’s Warming Eve was now in full swing across the empire, but to Nova, it only felt like a bitter reminder that she would never feel like she belonged among them.
Just as she turned the corner and headed toward the gates, she bumped into a warm figure.
"Nova?"
Startled, she looked up to see Crimson Flame—her adopted brother. His reddish-orange coat and fiery mane were unmistakable against the night, though he never looked out of place in the vibrant crowds of the Crystal Empire. Crimson's soft amber eyes met hers with concern.
"What are you doing out here?" Crimson asked gently, taking a step closer. His gaze softened when he saw the look on her face. "Are you okay? This isn’t like you."
Nova hesitated. She bit her lip, not knowing how to explain the overwhelming sense of loneliness that had been weighing on her chest for so long. She glanced away, unwilling to meet his concerned gaze.
"I… I just need to get out. I can’t stay here," she admitted, her voice quiet but clear. "I feel like I’m suffocating in this place. Everyone’s celebrating, but I… I just don’t fit. I thought if I left, maybe things would feel different. Maybe I could finally figure out where I belong."
Crimson remained silent for a moment, studying her. He could see the confusion and hurt in her eyes. After a few seconds, he placed a hoof gently on her shoulder.
"Nova," he said softly, "running away won’t change how you feel. I know you’re not in a good place right now. But you don’t have to do this alone. How about we spend some time together, just the two of us?"
Her brow furrowed, uncertain. "What do you mean?"
Crimson smiled, his eyes warm with understanding. "I know this empire better than anyone, and I know you’ve lost that spark you once had. Come with me. Let me show you a side of it that maybe you haven’t seen before. Just for a little while."
Nova looked into his eyes, surprised by his offer. She had never felt truly understood by the ponies in her life, but Crimson… Crimson had always been there. They had shared memories, struggles, and laughter even though their bond wasn’t based on blood. He was the only one who had never treated her like she was different, never seen her as an outsider.
After a moment of hesitation, Nova nodded. "Okay. Just for a little while."
Crimson gave a small, knowing smile before turning, his presence giving Nova a sense of comfort. They walked side by side through the cold streets of the Crystal Empire, the vibrant lights of Hearth’s Warming Eve twinkling all around them. The air was crisp, and the warmth of Crimson’s company seemed to melt away the chill that had settled inside her heart.
They passed through the town square, where the celebration was winding down. Lanterns glowed gently above their heads, and Nova could hear soft carols in the distance. She still felt out of place among all the cheer, but Crimson’s steady presence beside her made it bearable.
They soon found themselves near a small corner booth where a couple of ponies were handing out free cups of hot chocolate. Steam rose from the mugs, filling the air with the sweet scent of cocoa.
"Hey, why don’t we grab a cup?" Crimson suggested with a grin. "It’s perfect for a night like this."
Nova raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Why not?” She followed him over to the booth, where they were each handed a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The warmth from the drink was a welcome relief against the cool night air.
They stood there for a moment, sipping quietly. Nova felt the comforting heat of the cup in her hooves, the smooth sweetness of the drink working its way into her system. It wasn’t the grand celebration she had imagined, but for the first time in days, it felt okay to just stand here, not pretending to be anyone other than herself.
Crimson took a slow sip, glancing at Nova as he did. “So, what made you think running away was the answer?” he asked, his voice gentle, as if he were trying to understand her better.
Nova hesitated, looking into her cup before answering. “I don’t know. Everything just feels so… heavy. Mom’s been worried about me, and I know she means well, but it feels like I can’t breathe sometimes. I thought if I ran away—if I just left the empire—it would all stop. Like maybe I’d find something outside of here that would make me feel different. Maybe somewhere I could… fit in.” She paused, eyes downcast. “But that’s just it, isn’t it? I don’t know where that is. I don’t know where I fit.”
Crimson took a slow breath, watching her carefully. “You don’t have to go far to find it, Nova. It’s not about running away or getting out of here—it’s about what you’re looking for on the inside. You might think that leaving will solve everything, but it won’t. You can’t find your place if you don’t let yourself be in the place you’re already in.”
Nova stared at him, surprised. “You make it sound easy.”
“I’m not saying it’s easy,” Crimson said, looking up at the stars as if seeking the right words. “But I know you, Nova. You’ve got this spark in you—a light I haven’t seen in a long time. I think you just need a reminder of why you're important, why you matter here." He lowered his cup and turned back to her, meeting her eyes. "You don’t have to be like everyone else. And you don’t have to be alone.”
Nova blinked, feeling something shift inside her. For a long time, she had believed that she didn’t belong here—had convinced herself that she was simply a visitor in this bright, beautiful world. Crimson's words warmed her heart more than the hot chocolate ever could.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do…” she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. "But maybe... maybe it’s okay to not have all the answers right now."
Crimson offered her a small, reassuring smile. “It’s more than okay. We all have our moments where we don’t know what comes next. But I’m here for you. And maybe, just maybe, this empire isn’t as bad as you think.”
Nova’s lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes softening. She felt something inside her stir—a warmth she thought she had lost, rekindled just a little.
“You’ve always known how to put things into perspective, Crimson,” she said quietly.
He grinned, clearly pleased. “That’s what big brothers are for, right?”
As they continued to sip their hot chocolate under the sparkling sky, Nova began to wonder if there might be more for her here in the Crystal Empire than she had given it credit for. Maybe she didn’t need to run away after all. Maybe she could take it one step at a time, with Crimson by her side, helping her rediscover that spark.
And for the first time that night, it felt like there might be hope.
As the warmth from their hot chocolate settled in, Nova felt a sense of calm she hadn’t experienced all night. The crisp air, the quiet hum of the celebration far behind them, and Crimson’s steady presence by her side were enough to bring her back from the brink of running away.
She still didn’t have all the answers, but she could sense a shift—a glimmer of something inside her telling her maybe it was time to stop hiding. Maybe she wasn’t as alone in the Crystal Empire as she had believed.
“I don’t know how to fix everything,” Nova said softly, gazing at the empty, twinkling sky. “But maybe... I’m ready to stop running away from it all.”
Crimson, still standing next to her, gave her a small, approving smile. “I’m glad to hear that.”
With their cups now emptied and the quiet serenity settling over them, they made their way back to the castle. It was late, and the streets of the empire had grown quieter, the lights softer as they approached the towering castle where Nova had once felt trapped. But now, with Crimson by her side, it didn’t seem as intimidating.
When they reached her room, Nova paused at the door, her mind swirling with thoughts. Crimson turned to her, giving her a reassuring glance. “Take care of yourself, okay? I’ll be right here whenever you need me.”
Nova nodded, hesitating for a second longer than usual. There was something else on her mind, something she had been trying to ignore for a long time but now couldn’t deny.
Crimson was about to turn away when Nova stepped forward quickly, closing the gap between them.
Before he could react, she leaned in, pressing her lips gently to his. Crimson froze, his wide amber eyes meeting hers in complete shock. The kiss lingered for a moment—longer than either of them expected—before Nova slowly pulled away, her heart racing.
A faint blush colored her cheeks as she pulled back and turned towards the door. She offered him a soft, slightly awkward smile. “Goodnight, Crimson."
Crimson stood there, still processing the unexpected kiss. His mouth parted for a moment as if to say something but found himself speechless, unsure of what had just transpired. After a brief pause, he finally managed a quiet, surprised “Goodnight.”
Nova gave him one last smile before slowly closing the door behind her, leaving Crimson standing in the hallway, completely stunned. She leaned her back against the door, her heart still pounding from the bold move, her mind racing with a mix of emotions.
Tonight had changed something between them, and she couldn’t quite put it all together just yet. But there was no denying one thing—the spark had been reignited.
