Light as a feather

The ruddy orange colt woke several times to a pleasant humming. The nightmares he had so often were less intense than those he remembered and for the first time in what felt like years he dreamt of his mother. It was impossible of course to dream of her; she had died giving birth to him, so maybe it was only what he always wished his mother could be.

She was a mare of many colors changing each time he envisioned what she might look like, each time he imagined what she might sound like. Right now she was pale yellow with a flowing pink mane and a beautifully shy smile.

Amber opened his eyes suddenly startling the yellow pegasus filly floating just inches above him. She squeaked and fell as her wings snapped tight to her sides, but still she managed to land on her hooves.

"I...I'm sorry." She seemed to shout though it came out no more than a whisper.

He felt something cold on his chest, shivers creeping the length of his body. Looking down he found a cold compress, leaking ice water onto his coat. He smiled and thanked her before realizing what had woken him so suddenly. His stomach growled hungrily as an amazing odor teasing his sense of smell. "Are you cooking?"

"Y...Yes." She said in answer before her eyes went wide and she flew from the room muttering 'oh no' to herself repeatedly in a frantic whisper. Amber followed after finding her in a small kitchen hovering over several pots, some of which were smoking. "Oh, now it's ruined."

She peeked over her shoulder, noticing he had followed her, and promptly dropped to the floor. "I…I'm so sorry. I…It was supposed to be a s..surprise."

"I'm surprised." He said with a smile as he stepped into the small room encouraged by the sweet enticing aroma. The smell alone made his mouth water and it took all he had to resist tearing the lids from the pots and wolfing down the contents right then and there. "Not only can you sing but you can cook."

"Y...you heard t...that?" The yellow pegasus said as she shrank back, slightly less than she had before. Her face was flushed a deep red and the young stallion chuckled softly. He hoped she was warming to him, even if only a little. He didn't want her to be afraid of him.

"I can take it back if...if that's what you want." He said lamely hoping to rectify whatever mistake he had made by complimenting her. After several long moments a very faint trickle of laughter met his ears followed by an equally faint smile.

~~

In the hallway, unnoticed by the pair, Rainbow Dash rubbed her hooves together mischievously a smile spreading her lips wide. A swift tug on her tail by Applejack however ceased her playful plotting.

"Oh come on Applejack! This will be hilarohhmmff!" The rainbow maned pegasus shouted, the last bit muffled as the earth pony placed a hoof over her companion’s mouth.

"Rainbow, when was the last time ya seen Fluttershy laugh so openly with a strange pony, a colt no less!" Applejack inquired. Rainbow Dash scowled and crossed her hooves, her wings beating lazily to keep her aloft.

“But Fluttershy and Big Macintosh…” Rainbow began stopping at a look from Applejack. “Ya’ll know them’s just rumors and I’d suggest ya keep yer mouth shut about thing’s ya’ll know nothing about.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Rainbow Dash continued stubbornly. Applejack turned on her giving a stare that would put a cockatrice to shame. She was a little angry at Rainbow’s suggestion that Big Macintosh and Fluttershy were an item, especially considering she knew for a fact her brother currently had his eyes on a certain cross eyed mail mare.

“It means let ‘em be Rainbow.” The apple pony said with a note of finality.

--

The large red barn had been decorated with streamers, balloons, banners and even more confetti, strewn randomly about. It would be too soon if he never saw tiny strips of colorful party paper ever again. A record player sat on a stool in the corner playing a twangy country song Amber didn't recognize and probably wouldn't admit if he did. The pink pony busied herself setting the table with party favors that looked like they'd be better suited for a foal’s birthday party.

At least there's food to look forward to. Amber thought quietly to himself. Outside the sweet scent of apples blew in from the surrounding orchards and he raised his head reveling in it, as well as the cool breeze playing with his mane. His thoughts however quickly turned sour.

"I hope yer planning on puttin’ a seed in that there hole yer diggin'." Applejack said noticing what he had not.

"Sorry." He apologized, clumsily replacing the dirt and patting it down. "I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"T'aint no reason to go puttin' holes in my yard." The orange pony shot back. "If yer looking for somethin' to do why don't ya go help Fluttershy with the rest of the food."

The young stallion trotted back to the house, feeling a bit on edge about just traipsing in. Still he supposed the apple pony had just given him permission, and it wasn’t as if he hadn’t been there before. He had woken in the house after all.

He found the yellow pegasus in the kitchen struggling to lift a tray laden with apple themed deserts. She must be more fragile than she looks. He thought as he quickly took the burden from her.

"Oh?” Fluttershy said surprised. “T...Thank you."

She watched curiously as he balanced the tray on his muzzle. "I...It's not too heavy is it?"

"'S fine." The colt said instead of nodding his head in any sort of answer. Even the slightest movement ran the risk of upsetting the balance he had going and he wasn't about to let this filly's hard work go to waste.

After the food had been delivered the pink pony decorated all the guests, including Amber, with party hats. The colt only vaguely remembered she'd done so once before. He couldn’t recall losing it in the time between but he must have if she was donning him with another.

With a great inhale of air the pink pony jumped onto the table, rocking the punch bowl and threatening to over turn the set up she had worked so hard on.

"LET'S PARTY EVERYPONY!!!!" (4)