A Charmed Life

“Alright children, it’s playtime, everyone get out your toys,” Ruby Heart said ushering all the little fillies and colts, too young for school, into the play area. She paused and silently counted heads making sure none of the children had wandered. She sighed; her count had come up one short, the same as it had for the last week. It didn’t take long to find the missing filly; she always stayed in the same spot in the back corner. “Charm, I thought we talked about this,” Ruby started but paused as the little blue-blonde unicorn looked up at her with sad eyes.

Charms gaze was always a bit unnerving to Ruby, it felt a bit like looking at two ponies at the same time, one with deep blue eyes and one with brilliant violet eyes. Those mismatched eyes, while beautiful, were off-putting and certainly weren’t helping her make any friends among the other children. “It’s okay for you to play alone, you know,” Ruby said trying to urge the little filly out of her seat. Charm shook her head and shrunk back into her tiny chair, her tail curling tightly around her. “I dun wanna play…” She said, so quietly Ruby almost couldn’t hear her. Ruby sighed softly and sat down next to her. “I know it’s tough, but you can’t let the other children get to you, they don’t really mean it.” Ruby tried. Charm just shuffled uncomfortably in her chair looked away.

Ruby thought for a moment then said, “How about this… If you go and play by yourself for even just a little bit I’ll give you something special before you go home today. How does that sound?” That got the fillies attention, her ears perking up slightly as she looked quizzically at Ruby. “I’ve got this candy in my desk I’ve been saving for special occasion. You can have it if you like,” Ruby said. Charm blinked slowly then nodded and stood up. Ruby sighed in relief and watched as Charm slowly walked over to the play area.

“Miss Knots? May I speak with you?” Ruby asked the yellow and orange unicorn as she walked into the daycare. “What about?” Mai Knots asked with a worried look on her face. “It’s about Charm,” Ruby said, quickly adding “but don’t worry, she’s not in trouble.” Mai relaxed a little but still looked worried as she accompanied Ruby a little ways away from the other parents picking up their children. “I don’t mean to be rude… but how is Charm at home? Is she happy?” Ruby asked. Mai blinked, the question catching her by surprise.

“Uhm… Happy? I… I think so. Why? Is something wrong?” She managed to say, now even more worried. “Well… I’ve done my best to encourage and help her but lately it seems that nothing I do helps. She’s always so sad and alone, she doesn’t even want to play anymore.” Ruby explained. “But that’s why we put her in your daycare, so she could make friends, isn’t it?” Mai countered, obviously flustered. “I know it is and she was doing well at first, but it’s hard for her. The other children like to make fun of her because…”

“Because of her eyes?” Mai asked, already knowing the answer. “I do my best to stop the name calling and get the children to play nicely together, but with so many children to watch and she’s so sensitive…” Ruby said. Mai sighed sadly and nodded, “I understand.” “I think she would do better if you or her father were able to spend a little more time with her. Play a game or two with her, read books, that kind of thing,” Ruby suggested. “I will… It’s so hard to get time with her these days, too many things to do. But thank you, Miss Heart, it’s good to know how she’s doing,” Mai replied. “Of course, I only wish I could do more.” Ruby said.

Mai trotted over to where her daughter was waiting by the door. “You ready to go home?” She asked the little filly. Charm nodded, the lollipop stick that was poking out of her mouth bobbing up and down. “Did Miss Heart give you that?” Mai asked as they walked out the door. “Mhm. Is blueberry favor,” Charm answered. “Oh it is? I bet it’s delicious.”

“She needs her father! Can’t you take shorter shifts some days? I’m sure they don’t always need you at the palace!”

“It isn’t that they need me there, it’s that we need me there! If I take a shorter shift we get less money!”

“But surely we can go a month on a tight budget!”

Charm hugged her plush doll closer as her parents’ arguments flowed over her from the other room. Some days she wanted to try to stop the arguing, to get them to be happy with her, but she could never bring herself further than the door to her room before retreating to the comfort of her bed and her doll. They always apologized to her after every argument, sometimes they even treated her to her favorite ice cream to try and make up for it, but that was never what she wanted. The worst thing was that their arguments always seemed to be about her for some reason or other.

It was often hard to understand exactly what they were arguing about but she could often make out her name being said by both her mother and father. Whenever she asked why they fought she never got a straight answer, they just apologized and said it was something she wouldn’t understand until she was older. So she just stopped asking and hid in her room with her doll until they were done. She often wished she could take her doll with her to daycare but her mother had told her it would get lost. Even if it didn’t get lost, one of the other children would probably hurt it just to get at her.

She barely noticed when her parents’ voices faded and only looked up when the door to her room creaked open. She waited, expecting the usual apology, as her parents sat down beside her bed. “Charm dear, your father and I have been talking and…” Her mother started then looked over at her father. “How would you like to go for a vacation?” Her father finished. Charm wasn’t sure what to say, this had never happened before. “A… vaca-tion…?” She managed. Her parents nodded and smiled at her. “Yes, a vacation. A trip out of Canterlot, to somewhere new, with lots of different things to see!” Her mother explained.

“Somewhere… new?” Charm asked, still flabbergasted. “We were thinking somewhere with a little water and big museums to visit,” Her father continued. “Manehattan!” Her mother announced happily. “R-really?” Was all Charm could say. Her parents nodded in unison. “It will take a couple weeks but we can get enough money saved up for a few days in Manehattan together. What do you think?” Her mother asked, smiling. Charm hardly knew what to say, it seemed too good to be true. “Y-yes!” She squeaked. Her parents smiled, pulled her in for a hug, and for the first time in weeks Charm felt both excited and happy.

“Charm! Are you ready?” Mai called up the stairs, “The train leaves in a couple of hours, we have to hurry!” There was an excited squeak from up above and scrabbling of hooves as Charm tried to get all her things together. Stonefeather dropped a heavy suitcase by the door and waited patiently. “She’s so excited, I think this was a really good idea,” Mai said to him, pulling over her own luggage. Stonefeather nodded, a happy smile on his own face. “You remembered to get your time off cleared, right dear?” Mai asked him. “Yep, I asked the Princess herself for a few days leave. She’s the one who gave us the extra spending money,” Stonefeather replied.

“It’s so nice to have everything working out for once. Nothing to stop us from enjoying ourselves,” Mai said happily. Stonefeather nodded in agreement as Charm came down the stairs, her small luggage trailing behind her and her doll in her mouth. “Oh dear, I don’t think you can take her like that!” Mai told to her. Charm looked confused and put the doll down on the floor. “Why not?” She asked. “Well because you might drop her like that. Here, why don’t we put her in here, I can even give her a comfy place to sit while we travel,” Mai answered, opening up her own luggage and clearing some space. Charm looked disappointed but put the doll in the suitcase and then waited, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Alright, are we all ready to go?” Stonefeather asked, opening the front door. Everyone confirmed and they trotted out the door towards what would hopefully be a great family adventure.

Clouds were gathering under the setting sun as they boarded the train bound for Manehattan. “All aboard for Ponyville and Manehattan!” A voice boomed from the crackling speakers of the station. Charm beamed at it all as she followed her parents to the room they had reserved for the overnight trip. “Ah, here we are! A room all to ourselves!” Stonefeather exclaimed happily, dropping his suitcase by the door. Charm put her luggage under one of the room’s beds and excitedly hopped up to look out the window.

“I can’t wait to see Manehattan! But I do hope it isn’t raining when we get there,” Mai said, sitting down next to Charm. “Ha, the weather ponies aren’t that cruel,” Stonefeather said lightheartedly. Charm looked away from the window for a moment, worried that her parents might start arguing, but Mai just chuckled. Charm smiled and looked back out the window; this really was going to be the best trip ever, she thought as the train started to move out of the station.

Charm’s eyes drooped as the train made a turn around the mountain and she found her head resting against her mother. The last hour had been one of the best of her life, her parents talking happily and making jokes, the passing scenery of the mountains that surrounded Canterlot, and the occasional glimpse of Ponyville’s lights in the distance. Charm felt her mother’s hoof hug her close. “Hey there, getting sleepy already?” Mai asked. Charm shook her head but the gesture was defeated by a yawn. Her parents chuckled quietly and watched their sleepy daughter in silence for a few moments.

The silence was broken as the train lurched nearly tossing them out of bed. Mai lifted Charm onto her lap and held her close. “What’s going on?” She managed to ask just as the train lurched again more violently and then there was the screaming of breaks, the cries of surprise from outside their room, and the whole world flipped upside down as the train derailed.

The train car rolled down the slope with Charm held tightly in her mother’s hooves, utterly terrified and confuse. There was the crash and screech of twisting metal accompanied by the screams of the passengers, then a loud crack as the train slid to stop. Bewildered and aching all over Charm opened her eyes and tried to look around. During the tumble part of the roof of the car had been torn open letting in the rain. She tried to stand up and found herself caught under her mother’s now limp foreleg. She didn’t know what to do, or what to think, as she twisted around and saw the cracked glass underneath her mother’s head, a small pool of blood forming.

“M-mm-Mommy?” She cried, desperately nudging her mother’s body. “Pl-p-please wake up!” She shook her mother, tears beginning to stream down her face as she grew more desperate. “Please wake up! P-please! Why won’t you wake up?!” She wailed. Behind her there was the sound of movement and a muffled groan that was barely audible. She turned around and broke away from her mother as she saw her father trying to move. “D-ddaddy! Mommy won’t wake up! Why won’t she wake up?!” She cried.

Stonefeather’s eyes managed to focus on her and he lifted a shaking hoof to her tear stained face. “It will be okay, little Charm. You just…. You just need to get… help. It will be okay, don’t worry…” He managed to choke out, but his words faded away and his hoof fell down limply. “Daddy?! Daddy wake up! Mommy? Please? Please wake up!” Charm wailed, nudging and shaking her parents as the rain fell. “Wakeup! PLEAASE!” Her cries piercing the quiet night sky, becoming unintelligible as her pleas turned to sobs.

Finally when her throat was too sore to plead anymore she started to look through her tears, trying to do as her father said. She spotted the open roof and tears still streaming down her face she pulled herself out of the wreckage and fell down to the muddy ground. Her body was wracked with sobs as she struggled to get to her feet, the mud sliding out from under her hooves. When she was finally upright she gathered all her remaining breath. “HEEELLLLPPPPP!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. “PLEASE HELP! PLEAS-“ Her shout cut short by a fit of coughing and sobbing. The night answered back with nothing more than the drumming of the rain and a cold breeze.

Desperately Charm began clawing her way up along the mountainside, occasionally pausing to try screaming for help. After what seemed like hours she managed to make it up to the tracks past the wreckage. Her body was aching and cold, her throat was so sore it was hard to breath, and she couldn’t stop crying but all she could think of was finding help. As she started trudging down the railway the rain stopped and the clouds began parting, revealing the night sky and bringing with it a chilling wind.

It seemed like days, weeks, or even years before she reached the point where the rails started to go down and towards Ponyville, but by that time what was left of her strength was gone. She fell over in the mud beside the rails, her eyes dry as she’d long since run out of tears, her blonde mane plastered to her face, and her body shivering from cold and dry sobs. “Please…. Anypony… help…” She whispered as she finally succumbed to the blackness of sleep.

Charm drifted into consciousness to the sound of wings and hooves landing on the ground next to her. “Oh no. Hey are you okay?” A mare’s voice drifted into her ears. Charm groaned slightly as hooves lifted her up off the ground. “Hey, stay with me! Come on, you’re going to be alright!” The voice said, seeming to come from a long way away and through a wall. Charm managed to open her eyes just enough to see the ground moving far below her before slipping back into unconsciousness.

“Is she alright?”

“She was nearly dead and definitely hypothermic when you brought her in, but thankfully she seems to be making a recovery. If you hadn’t brought her in when you did she would very likely be dead by now.”

“So… she’s going to be alright?”

“Yes, I think so. She should be here about a week or so to recover but after that she should be fine,”

“Oh… That’s good.”

“Yes, I’d say it is.”

“You know you could have just said that in the first place.”

Charm felt numb and rather like her head was floating in a cloud. She could hear ponies talking nearby but couldn’t really make out the words. Wherever she was they had provided her with a heavy heated blanket that was tightly wrapped around her, making it hard to move. Not that she could move even if the blanket wasn’t there. She tried to remember how she got here but all she could see in her memory was her parents lying motionless in the train car. They wouldn’t wake up. Why wouldn’t they wake up? She didn’t understand. She couldn’t understand. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair, and it was… it was wrong!

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice and a gentle hoof prodding. “Hey there, are you awake?” It said softly. She recognized that voice from somewhere and for a brief moment she thought it was her mother waking her up, that she was still on the train, and that they’d just reached Manehattan. But that hope was dashed as her eyes opened and, after adjusting to the near blinding light, saw a light purple pegasi mare she’d never seen. “There you are. Good afternoon!” The strange mare said, the bright light reflecting off her gold-orange hair.

Charm couldn’t bring herself to say anything, instead closing her eyes and pretending none of this was real. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk,” the mare continued, “you’ve been through a lot.” Charm opened one eye and looked at the mare. “Where’s mommy?” She managed to whisper. A pained expression crossed the mares face, but only briefly. “She’s… She’s… Recovering. Like you. But don’t worry; you’ll get to see her again soon.” The mare said.  This made Charm feel much better and she managed to lift her head a little ways off the pillow.

“Whoa, careful, don’t move too much now, you still need lots of rest,” the mare told her. Char’s head flopped back into her pillow but she remained interested. “My name’s Violet Scope, by the way. What’s your name?” The mare asked. “I’m… Charm…” Charm said, disappointed at the subject change. “Charm? I think that’s a wonderful name.” Violet said, smiling warmly. Charm blinked but didn’t say anything, her mind still elsewhere. Somepony nearby cleared their throat and Violet looked up. “Alright, looks like I have to let you get some rest. But I’ll be back to see you soon okay?” She said. Charm nodded sullenly and closed her eyes letting herself drift back to sleep with the hope of seeing her parents again soon.

Charm sat in the hospital bed staring at the food the nurse had brought her, occasionally poking it with a spoon. It wasn’t that it tasted bad, the food was okay, but she just wasn’t hungry. Despondently she looked out the window to where the midday sun was shining over the town. It looked so nice out there but she couldn’t enjoy it, the nurses wouldn’t even let her get out of bed on her own. They kept saying she needed to rest so that she could get better. She didn’t really care about getting better though, she really just wanted to get out of this small room and see her parents. When she asked about them nopony could give her a straight answer, some couldn’t even look her in the eye.

“Hey again! How are you feeling today?” Violet asked as she trotted into the room. Charm looked over at her and then down at the food on her tray. Violet chuckled and sat down next to Charm’s bed. “Getting used to the hospital food? Oh and it looks like they gave you extra pudding! That was nice of them,” Violet said. Charm just nodded sullenly and poked one of the pudding cups with her hoof. “Still feeling sad?” Violet asked gently. Charm nodded and managed a quiet “Yes.” “Hmm… Well I think I’ve got just the thing to cheer you up!” Violet said reaching back and pulling something out of her saddlebag.

Charm gasped as Violet held up the plush doll that she’d thought was lost on the train. Violet smiled and placed the doll next to Charm who snatched it up and hugged it tightly, tears starting to well up in her eyes. “I went and found this among your parent’s things, I thought it might make you feel better to have some company,” Violet said warmly, “At least I think it was your parent’s things,” she added to herself. Charm sniffed and held the doll close to her, squeezing it tightly as the tears started to flow.

“T-thank you,” Charm said weakly. Violet smiled and gently ruffled Charm’s blonde hair with a hoof. “It was the least I could do,” She said, “Now how about that lunch? I’ve got a special book to read once you’re done eating. It was one of my favorites when I was little.” Charm nodded and began slowly eating the food off the tray, still holding the doll close with one hoof. Violet watched quietly as Charm ate, still a bit unsure of how to act around the sad filly. She supposed that she just needed to do what seemed best and hope it worked out okay. When Charm was finally finished Violet reached into her saddlebag and pulled out the book she’d brought. “Okay, you ready for a story?” She asked. Charm nodded and held her doll closer. “Alright…” Violet started, opening the book to the first page, “Once upon a time…”

“Miss Scope, I have to ask, does she have anywhere to go?”

“I… I don’t know. I haven’t been able to find any record of living family members.”

“What about her parents?”

“You mean you don’t know yet? Her parents were on the train that derailed a few days ago.”

“Oh… Dear…”

“She’s the only one that made it out.”

“It’s just, the way you spoke of them…”

“I just… I couldn’t tell her. Could you?”

The voices drifted in through the door, Charm couldn’t quite hear what they were talking about but she could tell they were talking about her. She hugged her doll and waited, certain that Violet would step through the door soon. Over the past four days she had come to look forward to Violet’s visits and the different stories she would bring to read. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make her time in the hospital that much more bearable. The door opened and Violet stepped into the room, she had a nervous look but tried to cover it with a smile as she approached Charm’s bed.

“The doctor says you’ll be able to leave tomorrow. Isn’t that good news?” Violet said with fake joviality. Charm nodded in response and asked, “Will I get to see mommy and daddy then?” Violet hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yes, you’ll get to see your parents again. I’ll take you to see them myself, I promise,” She said. Charm smiled, satisfied with the promise, and hugged her doll a little closer. “Alright, I’ve got another story to read to you if you’d like,” Violet said, pulling out the book from her saddlebag. “Yes please,” Charm replied. “Okay, let’s see… A long time ago…”

“What will you do?”

“I’m not sure, but… I’ll… I’ll figure something out.”

“If you would like we could hold her here until we find a home for her.”

“No, that’s okay; I think I can handle it.”

Charm sat by the window staring out at the morning sun. The nurses had been extra nice this morning; one even gave her a bit of candy to munch on. Still all she could think of was that she would soon get to see her parents again. She could hear Violet talking to one of the doctors outside but she didn’t really pay attention to what they were saying. All that mattered was she was better and she could get out of this room and see her parents. She heard the door open behind her and she turned around excitedly.

“Hey Charm, are you ready to leave this dinky little room?” Violet said with a smile on her face. Charm nodded energetically, swung her doll onto her back, and trotted over to Violet who extended a wing over her and lead her out into the hospital hallway. “Do I get to see my mommy and daddy now?” She asked as they walked past the doctor who cringed at her question. Violet paused for a second, choking on the answer. “Uh, I… Yes, yes you get to see your parents. We’re going there now,” She managed to say. Happily Charm followed Violet out of the hospital and towards town.

“Where are we going?” Charm asked after a few minutes of silent walking. “You’ll see, we’ll be there soon,” Violet replied sadly. Charm looked at her confused but shrugged it off; she thought maybe it was supposed to be a surprise. Maybe her parents were planning a surprise party. Or maybe they’d gotten some special gift and Violet didn’t want to ruin it. Or maybe… Charm stopped and stood still in the road. Violet had tears in her eyes but still she tried to urge Charm forward. “W-why are we at the cemetery?” Charm asked in confusion. Violet couldn’t answer; she opened her mouth to say something but no words came.

Sadly she simply shook her head and urged Charm forward. Reluctantly Charm followed Violet into the cemetery yard, the gravestones of ponies past poking out the grass. “But… but mommy said you only come here after you’re…” Charm said her voice choking before she could finish her sentence. Violet came to a stop in front of two new graves placed close together among a dozen other new graves. Charm couldn’t move, her mind trying to grasp what was going on. With tears in her eyes Violet pulled Charm close. “I’m sorry…” She said.

The doll fell to the ground and tears welled up in Charm’s eyes which were quickly followed by loud sobs. The sobs turned to wails and through it all Violet held her close, never letting go. Charm cried for more than an hour as Violet held her, trying to make her feel that in some way it was all going to be okay. Eventually Charm ran out of tears and her cries grew hoarse. Violet stroked Charm’s mane comfortingly as her crying subsided into silence. “It will be alright,” Violet whispered softly. Charm was too numb to say anything, she barely even noticed as she was lifted her up onto Violet’s back. “Come on, we shouldn’t stay here too long,” Violet said, “Hold on tight, okay?”

Violet pushed the door of her home open letting in the afternoon sun. The gentle breeze from the door kicked up the dust that had settled over the rarely used furniture. Charm coughed gripped Violet’s neck a little tighter. Sighing Violet closed the door and moved towards the small couch in front of the fireplace. “Sorry for all the dust, I don’t actually spend a lot of time here,” She said, gently prying Charm off her back and placing the little filly on the couch where she curled up sniffling.

Violet sat next to Charm and gently stroked the filly’s mane. “I suppose I should look for somewhere for you to stay, huh?” She asked, not really expecting an answer. Charm sniffed and inched closer to her, grabbing Violet’s foreleg holding onto it tightly. Momentarily caught off guard, Violet looked down at the sad filly. She gave a little sigh and gave Charm a little hug. “But you can stay with me as long as you like,” Violet said softly.

Charm woke up to the sound of clattering cookware and inaudible grumbling. She felt like she had been asleep for days, or even weeks. Of course she knew that wasn’t true, she knew it was still the same day, but she wished it wasn’t. She wished that she didn’t remember what had happened or that it had all been a dream. A loud crash came from what must be the kitchen followed by an exclamation of “Celestia curse these pots!” and more clattering. Charm forced herself into a sitting position and spotted the glass of water sitting on a small coffee table a few feet away.

Carefully Charm got off the couch and slowly walked over the water glass. She lifted it up between her hooves and gratefully drank large gulps, coughing once she was done and nearly dropping the glass. The noise from the kitchen quieted down as she put the glass down and stared at it. “I’m sorry Charm, did I wake you?” Violet asked from the doorway. Charm looked over at her and shook her head. She couldn’t bring herself to talk right now. “Oh good, well I’m… trying… to make something for dinner,” Violet said a little nervously, “It probably won’t taste very good, I’m afraid I’m not a very good cook…” There was silence as the two looked at each other for an awkward moment. “I… I should get back to it. You take it easy, okay? Food should be ready soon… I hope,” Violet said and walked back into the kitchen.

For a few minutes Charm simply sat and listened to the noises coming from the kitchen. She felt like she was made of lead, even her thoughts seemed to pass through her head in lead chains. In the kitchen Violet stared in frustration at the cookbook and grumbled to herself, “Why couldn’t they just make it simple? What in Celestia’s name is paprika and which one is a teaspoon?” She glared at the variety of spoons she’d dug out of a drawer, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do with them. “Ugh, maybe I should have just gone out for food.” A small sneeze followed by a cough sounded from the living room.

“Or… maybe not,” Violet sighed. The poor child had cried herself dry, it was no wonder she was coughing so much. Violet had hoped that this stew would make her feel better, at least a little bit, but once she actually started trying to put everything together she was forced to realize she knew nothing about cooking. But she was determined; if she was going to take care of Charm then she was just going to have to learn some new things. Looking over the recipe again Violet decided she couldn’t even begin to start on the spices and instead went for the ingredients she recognized. “Let’s see… I think I have most of this… Tomatoes, onions, carrots…” She muttered, mentally crossing things off the list.

It took a few minutes but she managed to gather all the ingredients she could find next to the stove where a pot full of water was being slowly heated. Carefully she began chopping the various ingredients and putting them in the water following the cookbook’s instructions. “Once the water reaches a boil, stir and add the spices and cornstarch for thickness…” Violet read, “What in the hay is cornstarch?” After spending a few minutes searching kitchen drawers, while the stew slowly boiled, Violet gave up. “Alright, I’ll just stir this and… I think I recognize a couple of these…” She muttered. The stew was actually beginning to smell quite nice, although she suspected it wasn’t nearly good as it should have been.

“Just a little salt and… I think that should do it,” Violet said as she stirred in the last ingredient. Now all she had to do was let it simmer for a while and then there would be plenty to eat. She turned around, meaning to check on Charm and make sure she was okay, only to find the little filly seated at the small dining table, her head resting on its edge. “Ah! Charm! I didn’t notice you there,” Violet said. Charm just looked at her and blinked slowly. “You look a bit small for that chair… Wait right there, I think I’ve got just the thing,” Violet told her and trotted out of the kitchen. Charm waited sullenly, watching the rising steam from the stew pot.

“Here you go!” Violet announced, her words slightly muffled by the large book she was carrying. She lifted Charm up with her forelegs, carefully placed the book underneath her, and checked to make sure Charm was level with the table. “There, is that better?” Violet asked. Charm sniffed and nodded, putting her head between her hooves. “That’s good, you just sit there, I’m sure I’ll have something for you to eat soon,” Violet said warmly. She gave Charm a little hug and trotted back to the stew pot. There was the clink of dishware as Violet pulled two bowls from a cupboard and stirred the pot.

“Are you comfortable?” Violet asked as she tucked Charm into bed. Charm nodded slightly and yawned. “It’s a bit big, I know, but it’s the only bed I have,” Violet said apologetically, “So… Do you want me to read you a story to help you get to sleep?” Charm shook her head; she wasn’t in the mood for a story. “Alright, well I’ll be downstairs if you need me and the bathroom is right through that door there, okay? Okay, good night, Charm. Sweet dreams,” Violet said and walked out of the bedroom, softly closing the door behind her. Charm heard Violet’s hoofsteps down the stairs and then there was silence.

The soft light of the moon crept in through the large window at the head of the bed. Twisting around Charm looked up and out at the sky, the mare in the moon looking back at her. She wondered what it was like up there, was it any better? A tear crept into her eye and she sniffed, grabbing hold of a pillow and holding it close. She wished she had her doll but she couldn’t remember where she dropped it. It was probably lost now, like her mother had said it would be. When she closed her eyes she could still her parents, before the crash, and how happy they had been. Tears fell into the pillow as she wished desperately to go back in time, back to when this was all better. She just wanted to see them, at least one more time.

The night dragged on and try as she might, Charm couldn’t fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes she still saw her parents, the train ride, and heard the crack of glass. When she couldn’t take it anymore she lifted herself out from under the blankets and gingerly climbed to the floor. The house was silent as she crept down the stairs with only the gentle light of the moon shining through the windows to guide her. Quietly she made her way to the couch where Violet was asleep underneath a spare blanket. Charm pulled herself up and gently pushed her way underneath the blanket, curling up next to Violet. Finally comfortable Charm closed her eyes and slowly drifted to sleep.

Violet slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the early morning light. Immediately she noticed the presence of the little filly fast asleep beside her. She smiled then yawned, quickly covering her mouth with a hoof. Thankfully Charm remained asleep, not even so much as a twitch. Slowly Violet got up and off the couch, being careful not to disturb the sleeping filly. Once safely away from the couch and other furniture she allowed herself a yawn before stretching, flapping her wings a couple times to get the stiffness out. Sleeping on the couch wasn’t the most comfortable way to spend a night, but at the time she wasn’t sure if sharing the bed with Charm would be the right thing to do. With her silence it was a little hard to tell if Charm wanted to be left alone or not.

Well it seems she knew the answer to that unasked question now, but there were more important things to consider, like what was she going to make for breakfast? The stew last night had gone over well enough, but she thought trying something new for breakfast would be pushing her luck a little too far. No, it’s likely best she sticks to what she knows, that being oatmeal and cereal. She walked into the kitchen and began pulling out the few things she needed. Once she had all she needed on the counter she grabbed the only pot she really knew how to use, filled it with water, and put it on the stove top to boil. Next the oats went into the ready bowls, with sugar and a few preserved fruits for added flavor.

The water boiled and Violet carefully poured it into the two bowls, being careful not to put in too much. After she had stirred and placed the two bowls at the table, along with a glass of milk for Charm, she prepared herself for the hardest part; waking Charm from her sleep. Violet trotted over to the couch, where the little filly was still soundly sleeping, and raised a hoof to gently shake her awake but paused. For a minute Violet simply stood with her hoof raised, and watched Charm sleeping. It seemed almost a crime to wake her up, especially after what she’d been through yesterday. Still, the oatmeal was getting cold…

Charm mumbled inaudibly as Violet’s hoof gently shook her. “Hey, it’s time to get up,” Violet said, “I’ve got breakfast all ready to go.” Slowly Charm opened her eyes, looked at Violet, and yawned. Violet couldn’t help but chuckle, “Alright, come on, you don’t want your food to get cold do you?” She helped the tired filly down off the couch and led her into the kitchen. Violet helped Charm clamber onto the chair and then sat down opposite her. “I hope this is okay,” Violet said a bit nervously. Charm looked down at the oatmeal, took a bite, and chewed it thoughtfully. “It’s good,” she said quietly after swallowing the food. Violet let out a sigh of relief and started in on her own bowl.

“So did you sleep okay?” Violet asked, trying to break the silence. “I miss my doll,” Charm replied quietly. “Oh that’s right, you dropped it yesterday,” Violet responded, “why don’t I find that for you today?” Instantly Charm perked up, her eyes widening with hope. “You could?” She asked hopefully. Violet smiled and stepped a little ways away from the table. “Mhm, see my cutie mark?”  She said and pointed at the image of a spyglass on her flank, “It means I’m good at finding all kinds of things.” “O-okay, thank you very much, please,” Charm managed. “Alright, I’ll go looking for your doll as soon as we’re done eating,” Violet said.

Charm quickly finished the rest of the oatmeal, placed her spoon on the table and drank her milk. “Careful now, don’t drink it too quickly!” Violet said as she finished her own oatmeal. Charm paused with the half empty glass still raised to her mouth. Gently the glass was placed on the table and Charm smiled apologetically making Violet chuckle warmly. Once their bowls had been emptied and place in the sink Violet trotted over to the front door, grabbing her saddlebags along the way. “Alright, I should only be gone for a little while. Be good while I’m gone, okay?” She told Charm as she stepped outside. Charm nodded and sat down in front of the door as it closed.

The door opened again and a pleasant breeze swept in as Violet walked inside. She looked around but Charm wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Charm, are you still here?” Violet called out, worry evident in her voice. There were small hoofsteps on the stairs as Charm slowly walked over. She had obviously been crying again and her mane was more or less a mess. “Hey, it’s alright, I’m back,” Violet said softly, bringing Charm in for a hug. “I found your doll,” Violet mentioned, “although it got a bit dirty from staying outside last night.” Charm sniffed but looked expectant. “Here, why don’t we give it a wash? It could sure use one… and so could you,” Violet said a little light heartedly.

Violet ruffled Charm’s mane and lead her to the small laundry room, through the kitchen, that also contained the house’s heater and boiler. The doll was pulled out of Violet’s saddlebag and subjected to a gentle washing as Charm watched from the doorway. After it had been thoroughly cleaned and rinsed Violet clipped it to the small cloth line that stretched across the room’s only small window. “There. Now we just need to wait for it to dry,” Violet said turning to Charm, “And while we wait I think it would be a good time for you to take a bath.” Charm looked a bit nervous but nodded anyway and followed Violet to master bathroom.

Steam rose into the air as the bathtub slowly filled with warm water. Bubbles rose from the bath soap, almost spilling over the edge of the tub. “Alright that looks to be plenty,” Violet said turning the water off, “You ready to hop in?” Charm hesitated for a moment before raising her front hooves and let Violet lift her into the tub. As Charm was engulfed by the soap there was a loud knocking from downstairs and a voice called up through the bathroom’s open window. “Hey Vee! Are you home?” Violet went over to the window and looked out, Charm peeking out from under the bubbles. “Oh hey, give me a minute and I’ll be right down!” Violet called out the window.

She walked over to the tub and gave Charm a small pat on the head. “I’ve got to go down and talk to my friend for a minute, are you alright in there by yourself?” She asked. Bubbles bobbed as Charm nodded, she knew what to do in a bath. “Okay, I’ll be right back,” Violet told her and trotted out the door and down the stairs. While Charm washed she listened, trying to hear what Violet was talking about with her friend, but their words were completely inaudible. “Sorry about that,” Violet said apologetically as she came back in. After a few more minutes of bathing Charm was lifted out of the tub and a fluffy towel was draped over her as Violet began to dry her off.

“There, all nice and clean,” Violet said happily. Shaking herself to get the last water droplets off, Charm gave a half-smile and waited as Violet put the towel away. “I bet you’re doll’s all dry now too, why don’t we go check?” Violet said and walked out of the bathroom with Charm following closely behind her. In the laundry room Violet unclipped the mostly doll from the cloth line. “See? Good as new!” She said, giving the doll to Charm, who hugged it tightly. “T-thank you, very much,” Charm replied.

Violet watched quietly as Charm stared forlornly out the bedroom window, her doll in between her hooves. A week had passed since Charm came to stay with her and despite all her efforts Violet couldn’t seem to make the filly feel any better. The various stories that she had read to Charm in the hospital no longer had any effect. She had even tried taking Charm to see her parent’s graves again, for whatever good that would do, but the little filly just sat quietly staring at the tombstones. She had tried suggesting that Charm try to make new friends with the other children in Ponyville, but she seemed adamantly set against that idea.

Sighing Violet looked around the room, trying to come up with a new idea. Her gaze came to rest upon the instrument case tucked in a corner. It’s been years since she played, but maybe… She stood up and walked over, picked up the case, carefully placed it on the bed, and opened it. Charm looked around at the sound of the viola strings being tuned. Violet raised the instrument to her shoulder, balancing it carefully, and gave a few test bows. “I’m a little rusty, but I think I can still play you something if you’d like,” Violet said. Nodding, Charm scooted over and watched with interest.

The tune started hesitantly at first as Violet got back into the music, but quickly picked up; the notes dancing around the room. Charm stared, mesmerized by the music, her sadness momentarily forgotten. The tune came to a conclusion and Violet breathed out as she lowered her viola. There was the sound of clapping hooves and Violet looked over at Charm, who was clapping her small hooves together. “I’m glad you liked it! It’s amazing how it call came back to me once I started playing,” Violet chirped, smiling broadly. The clapping stopped and Charm shuffled nervously. “I… I liked it… a lot…” She said quietly. “I think I can remember more songs if you’d like to hear them,” Violet said.

For the next two hours Violet played music for Charm, explaining a few things in between each song. Through it all Charm listened intently and enjoyed every bit of music that Violet could make. As Violet finished the last song she could remember Charm moved a little closer, never taking her eyes off of the viola. “Uh… Can… I try?” She asked shyly. “Are you sure? It’s pretty hard, and it’s probably much too big for you,” Violet told her.  Charm nodded politely. “Alright, be careful with it,” Violet said and gently placed her viola in Charm’s small hooves where it nearly flattened the filly.

“Pff, here let me help you with that,” Violet said, trying not to laugh as she helped Charm hold the instrument up. Try as she might, Charm couldn’t balance the viola on her small hooves, even with Violet’s help. In the end she fell over backwards onto the bed, the viola landing softly beside her. “I told you it was too big,” Violet chuckled. Charm looked disappointed but didn’t complain. “Hey, don’t look so glum, I’ll still play for you every day until you’re big enough to play one yourself, okay?” Violet said in an attempt to cheer Charm up. Charm nodded and gave Violet a little smile.

A breeze drifted over Charm as she lay on the couch with her doll one early morning after breakfast.  “Hey Charm,” Violet said, giving Charm a little prod with her hoof. Charm looked up at her questioningly. “I’ve got to take care of some weather stuff today, think you’ll be alright here?” Violet asked. “I’ll be fine, I don’t mind,” Charm replied softly. “Okay, I’ll be back in a few hours,” Violet told her. She gave Charm a hug and trotted out the door leaving Charm alone in the house. This wasn’t the first time Violet had to leave to take care of the weather, although she never said anything more specific than that.

The first time Charm had been left on her own she had spent the entire time curled up underneath the bedcovers. She still didn’t like being left alone very much; the house always felt so much emptier when Violet was out. She hugged her doll closer, trying to feel less alone. After a few minutes Charm grew restless, she picked up her doll, hopped off the couch, and made her way upstairs. Soon she had managed to hoist herself onto the bed and was perched in front of the window, her doll placed beside her. From here she was able to look out on the street and up into the sky where pegasi were barely visible as they herded clouds far overhead. Now no matter where Violet came home from, Charm would see her coming.

It was several hours, one brief rainstorm, and two visits to the bathroom before Violet landed gently in front of the house. She wasn’t alone either, Charm watched as another Pegasus landed beside her. The two pegasi chatted for a minute before moving to enter the house. Nervously Charm climbed down from the bed, walked out of the bedroom, and peaked down the stairs. “She’s a bit shy, so she probably won’t say much,” Violet was saying, “but she’s very nice once you get her to warm up to you.” “I’m sure we’ll get along just fine! That is if she comes to meet us,” the other Pegasus said. “Oh she’s probably upstairs. Charm! I’ve got someone here I’d like you to meet!” Violet called up.

Charm slowly inched down the stairs to the lower landing and poked her head from around the corner. “There you are,” Violet said happily, “This is my friend, Butterwings!” Butterwings smiled broadly and extended a hoof. “It’s great to meet you Charm, I’ve heard so much about you!” She said, her voice practically vibrating with optimism. Charm looked at Butterwings’ extended hoof then at Violet before shrinking back a little. “Oh that’s fine, no need to shake, I can be a bit forward sometimes,” Butterwings said happily as she put her hoof back down.

Violet walked over to Charm and gently urged her forward. “It’s okay, she’s really alright once you get past her hopelessly cheerful exterior,” Violet said with a smile. Butterwings rolled her eyes and laughed. “Well somepony needs to be cheerful to balance out all the cloudy weather!” She said. “You’ve just been waiting for a chance to say that, haven’t you?” Violet asked. “Every day it rains!” Butterwings said with a broad smile. Violet sighed and laughed at her friend’s silliness. Charm listened silently as the two pegasi chatted happily. The more she looked the more they reminded her of her parents, that night when they were finally happy together. The pegasi stopped talking when they heard Charm sniff, the memories coming back to the surface. “Was it something I said?” Butterwings said worriedly. The little filly shook her head as Violet pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry,” she whispered apologetically.

“It’s not your fault, Charm. Bad memories again?” Violet softly asked her. Charm nodded, unable to bring herself to say anything. “What about a story to cheer you up? I could tell you how I got my name!” Butterwings said. Both Violet and Charm looked at her curiously. “It’s short and sweet; I promise it’ll lift your spirits!” Butterwings chirped. Violet and Charm continued staring. “Alright… You see when I was born my parents didn’t have a name for me,” She started, “but then they saw… these!” She opened up her yellow wings and flapped them a couple times. “And that’s how I got my name!”

Charm and Violet looked at each other, back at Butterwings, and then laughed together. “Are you sure? I thought it was because you fly into everything!” Violet laughed. “Oh ha ha. Very funny. It’s not like you... I mean you…” Butterwings paused as she tried to think of a rebuttal. Violet smirked and then laughed as Butterwings floundered; even Charm couldn’t feel sad while watching her. “If you weren’t such a good flier!” She finally managed before bursting out laughing. “So are you going to stay for dinner?” Violet asked after they had all composed themselves. “Sorry, I’ve got to get up early tomorrow for the big cook off at the park,” Butterwings apologized.

“Speaking of, I should probably head home now; I have a lot to prepare,” Butterwings said. “Oh. Well okay, it was good to have you over, right Charm?” Violet said. Charm nodded shyly but didn’t say anything. “And I’m happy I got meet you, Charm! I’ll be sure to visit again soon,” Butterwings said, smiling. Violet and Charm waved good bye as Butterwings trotted out the door and flew off. “Well… Shall I make us something to eat?” Violet asked once they were alone. Her question was answered by a grumble from Charm’s stomach. “Alright then, let’s see what we can find,” Violet said with a chuckle and headed for the kitchen, filly in tow.

“Ev… er… y… Pony wuh… was… ha… py…” Charm read laboriously from the storybook she had pulled from a bookshelf while Violet was out shopping. She wanted to be able to read on her own, without Violet’s help, so she wouldn’t have to feel so alone when Violet was gone. Before she could finish the sentence she heard the front door opened and Violet call up to her, “Charm! I have a present for you!” The book was shoved out of the way as Charm scrambled off the bed and scampered down the stairs. “There you are,” Violet said, smiling happily as Charm walked up to her, eyes wide with curiosity.

“I was thinking about how you wanted to play the viola like I do and how my viola was too big for you,” Violet began, “So I went looking for something more your size and while I was out, I got you this!” She stepped aside revealing the small instrument case propped against the couch. Charm nearly gasped in surprise as Violet opened the case to reveal a viola that was just her size. “Now I can try to teach-“ Violet was interrupted by Charm nearly knocking her over with an excited hug. “Thank you!” Charm squeaked, hugging Violet tightly.

“Now hold it up like this,” Violet explained, demonstrating with her own viola. Attempting to mimic her, Charm brought up her new instrument to her shoulder but quickly found herself falling backwards onto the pillows stacked up behind her. “Woops! Careful, you don’t want to move to fast or you’ll lose your balance just like that,” Violet warned with a chuckle. Charm pulled herself back onto her hind quarters and tried again, falling over a second time. “How do you do it?” She asked Violet in frustration. “Practice,” Violet said, “and it helps that I have wings so I can lean forward a little more.”

After several more attempts Charm managed to sit up straight with her viola balanced on her shoulder. Violet helped her adjust it to the correct position before moving on to the bow hold. It took several attempts to get the bow held and on to the viola strings. “Do I get to play now?” Charm asked hopefully, swaying slightly as she tried to maintain her balance. “Nope,” Violet said, “You’ve got to get your bow hold down first and practice just holding the instrument. You can’t play if you’re constantly falling down, can you?” Almost as if proving her point, Charm’s viola slipped and the filly once again fell backwards onto the pillows.

They spent the rest of the afternoon practicing until Charm’s forelegs were too tired to hold up the small instrument anymore. “I think that’s enough for today, we’ll practice more tomorrow and before you know it we’ll be moving on to scales,” Violet said cheerfully as Charm stretched her strained legs. “Can you play that song about the moon for me, please?” Charm asked politely. “You mean ‘By the Gray Moonlight’? Alright, I know it’s your favorite,” Violet said and started playing. Charm closed her eyes and listened closely, the notes taking her away to a more peaceful place where the light of the moon danced in the water of a pond.

The notes faded away and Charm opened her eyes coming back to the real world. “Okay, now let’s put these away so we can go get something to eat,” Violet said, gently placing her own viola in its case. Quickly Charm followed suit with her small instrument, taking a moment to admire it in its case. She had never owned anything like it before and she could still hardly believe Violet had gotten it for her. “Come on, we’ve got food to eat. Maybe when we’re done I could help you finish that book you were reading,” Violet said, gesturing to the book Charm had left lying on the nearby bed. “No, I can finish it!” Charm said as she followed Violet out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen.

Violet sat down across from Charm and placed her bowl of cereal on the table next to the cup of tea she had prepared for herself. Her spoon paused halfway to her mouth as a thought occurred to her. “Hey Charm…” She said as she put the spoon back into the bowl. Charm looked over at her curiously, her own spoon still in her mouth. “How would you like your own room?” Violet asked. It took a few moments for the question to sink in as Charm stared at Violet. She swallowed and dropped the spoon back into her bowl. “My… My own… room?” Charm asked in confusion.

“Mhm. I’ve got that old study across from the bedroom that I never use; with a bit of remodeling I think it would make a great bedroom for you!” Violet said happily. “B-but…” was all Charm could manage. “I’ve got plenty of money in my savings, so it wouldn’t be any trouble either,” Violet continued. Charm hadn’t been expecting this at all and she had idea how to respond. Having her own room here meant she was here to stay, that this was really her new home. It was silly but some part of her had still been hoping that one day her parents would come back and take her home to Canterlot. “So what do you think?” Violet asked, a bit puzzled at Charm’s silence.

“I… uhm…” Charm stuttered, trying not to cry. “You can say no! I won’t mind at all,” Violet added hurriedly. Sniffling slightly Charm stared at her cereal bowl and thought about the prospect of living with Violet in her own room. “I… I… Yes, I would… like that…”She said finally, her words trailing off slightly. “Great! I’ll have some ponies over this weekend to move out all the old furniture and do a little renovating!” Violet said excitedly, “Would you like to come look at furniture with me? Maybe pick out your own bed?” Charm shook her head slowly, “N… No, I don’t mind…” “Alright then, I’ll go looking for all that today,” Violet said cheerfully.

Heavy hoofsteps sounded on the stairs along with the occasional thud of furniture against a wall. Charm watched through a crack in the door as ponies walked past moving furniture into and out of the study that would soon be her room. She still wasn’t entirely sure what to think of it but… It would be nice to have a home again. “Careful! Hold up the other side!” She heard Butterwings say. Charm was tempted to go out and greet her but there were far too many ponies for her to feel comfortable. There was another thud followed by a loud “OW!” and somepony asking “Ouch, are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Growing increasingly nervous next to the door, Charm retreated to the bed and looked out the window. Outside a moving truck was parked in the street and ponies were moving furniture into and out of it. It was a wonder the pegasi could carry all that weight behind when they flew. Charm wished she could fly, even without wings. Maybe she would be able to help Violet with her weather duties, or go into town hidden by clouds so she didn’t feel so nervous. It was a silly wish though, something that could never happen, not to her anyway. There were a lot of things she wished for that could never be.

She watched as Butterwings and some pony she had never met heaved a heavy looking desk into the truck. Soon after Violet appeared along with two more strange ponies, they talked for a minute then Violet gave the strangers a bag that Charm guessed was full of money. After taking the money the strange pegasi hitched themselves to the truck and flew off. Violet and Butterwings stayed on the street talking, Charm tried to hear what they were saying but couldn’t make out any words. After a couple minute Butterwings waved good bye and flew off. Charm was slightly disappointed, she had hoped Butterwings was going to stay at least until she could say hello. Still she could meet Violet at the door…

Charm jumped down from the bed, opened the door, and carefully trotted down the stairs where Violet was already waiting. “Oh there you are, I was just about to call for you,” Violet said cheerfully. “Why did Butterwings leave?” Charm asked. “Oh, she had to go meet some of her friends for dinner, but she said to tell you that she said hello,” Violet explained. Charm gave her a confused look but didn’t say anything. “So, do you want to see your new room?” Violet asked. “Uhm… Okay,” Charm replied and followed Violet back up the stairs. “Here you are!” Violet pronounced as they entered the room.

“What do you think?” Violet asked as Charm looked around. There was twin sized bed in the corner, a small night stand next to it, and a dresser at the foot of the bed. A small desk with a stool was against the opposite wall and next to that was an empty bookshelf. “It’s… mine?” Charm said hesitantly. “Yes, it’s all yours. I know it looks a bit empty, but I think we can fill it up in no time,” Violet said, remaining cheerful, “And now you’ve got a place to put all your favorite books!” Charm stood still for a minute, trying to think of what to do next. “Why don’t we start moving things in here? That bed could use some blankets, don’t you think?” Violet supplied. Charm agreed and followed Violet out of the room.

The warm candlelight flickered against the walls of the room as Charm lay in her bed on top of the covers. She had spent much of the evening with Violet deciding what to put in her room and the rest of the time practicing with her viola which left her almost completely exhausted. The bookshelves were now slightly less empty and her viola was leaning up against the small desk, its presence a comforting reminder of where she was. Letting out a small sigh she rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. This was her first night in her own room here and she felt she should be more excited, or at least sleepy, but all she felt restless and alone. She was beginning to regret telling Violet she would be fine on her own.

A loud crack made Charm jump and almost fall off the bed. Frantically she looked around for the cause but there was no sign of where the noise came from. Getting out of bed she trotted over to one of her room’s two windows and looked out. The moon was shining down, its soft gray light illuminating the small empty yard behind the house. Even more uneasy now she got back into her bed and crawled underneath the thick covers, the candle on her nightstand still burning gently on its stand. After a few moments of silence she heard another noise, this time it sounded like the creak of bending metal. She tried to ignore it and curled into a tight ball. “Charm? Are getting sleepy already?” A familiar voice asked, just on the edge of hearing.

“M-mommy?” Charm asked as she bolted upright, but the room was empty. Tears started to well up in her eyes, but she ignored them, instead burying her head in her pillow. “It will be okay… don’t worry…” The words cut through the pillow as if it wasn’t there, yet somehow remaining as quiet as a whisper. Charm let out a sob into her pillow, trying desperately to forget. Through the pillow she heard hoofsteps and felt a gentle pressure on her back. She looked up and for a moment, through her tears, she thought she saw her mother standing there but then the image was gone and she was once again alone in the room.

Charm let out another sob and buried herself underneath the covers, shivering despite not being cold. Screams that were quiet as a whisper but piecing as a nail echoed in her ears and the harder she tried to shut them out the more of it she could hear. “It will be okay, Charm” “What’s happening?” “Charm are you okay?” “YOU’RE NOT REAL!” Charm wailed and then sobbed loudly as if trying to drown out the noise in her head. She heard more hoofsteps, nearly drowned out by her sobbing, and felt the blanket lifted off her. “Charm, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” A voice asked gently.

“You’re not real! You’re not… real…” Charm sobbed, chocking on her words. Gently she was lifted up and into a tight hug. “I’m here, Charm. I’m real, you’re not alone anymore, it’s okay,” Violet murmured as Charm sobbed into her shoulder. “Shhh, it’s okay, you’re okay now,” Violet continued, rocking back and forth. After several minutes of rocking and reassurance Charm’s sobs finally died down and she was able to look up at Violet. “I’m… sorry… I didn’t mean to…” She tried to say, tears still flowing down her face. “Hush now, it’s alright,” Violet hushed her, “I’m sorry I left you all alone.” Charm sniffed and Violet hugged her closer, giving her a tentative kiss on the forehead.

“Here, climb onto my back, hold on,” Violet said softly. Violet got up, blew out the candle, and walked out of the room across the small hall into her own bedroom while Charm held tightly to her neck. “Alright, here you are, everything will be fine,” Violet murmured, letting the little filly down onto the bed. Charm watched, bleary eyed, as Violet gout out her viola. Gently Violet lifted the instrument to her shoulder, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began playing. The soft notes of the lullaby filled the room painting pictures of calm forests and sleeping creatures. When she was finally done Violet carefully put her viola in its case and checked on Charm, sighing in relief as she found the filly had fallen asleep.

A discordant note rang out causing both Charm and Violet to flinch slightly. “Close, but you’re a bit too sharp, move your hoof down just a little,” Violet instructed. Charm tried again, carefully letting her bow glide across the strings. “Much better! But you don’t have to be afraid of putting a little pressure on the bow,” Violet said. “Like this?” Charm asked and tried again, this time the note rang out clearly. “There, now you’ve got it! Now do you remember which note that was?” Violet quizzed her. “Uh… It was… G?” Charm guessed. “Close, it was actually A. Remember the note changes when you move your hoof down the string,” Violet explained.

Violet had spent the last hour trying to teach Charm about scales, it was difficult as Charm was often overzealous with her bowing but she was getting much better. “Now can you play the next-” Violet started but was interrupted by a knocking from downstairs. “Uh oh, looks like we’re going to have to cut today’s lesson a little short,” She said. “Aawww…” Charm sighed and began putting her small viola away as Violet trotted towards the stairs. When her viola was safely in its case she moved it to its place by her desk then headed after Violet. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs Violet had already answered the door.

“What’s that?” Charm asked curiously as Violet walked past carrying a large and thick envelope. “Oh it’s nothing, just something for me to read up on. Boring adult stuff,” Violet said, her voice slightly muffled by the envelope in her mouth. “Oh… Okay,” Charm responded. She followed Violet into the kitchen and watched as Violet placed the envelope on the table and carefully opened it. Violet paused when she noticed Charm watching her. “Charm, why don’t you go practice reading? You can come get me if you need any help, okay?” Violet suggested. Charm looked disappointed but agreed and went back to her room.

In her room Charm looked through her books to try and decide which one to read, but nothing stood out. She didn’t really feel like reading, she wanted to practice with her viola more, but whenever she tried without Violet helping her everything she did sounded horrible. Disgruntled she climbed onto her bed, lay down, and stared up at the ceiling. The more she thought about it the more she wanted to know what it was Violet was reading. Charm sighed and rolled over so she could look out the window, the setting sun casting its last rays on the house next door.

Charm jerked awake and quickly sat up on her haunches. The sun had long since set, leaving only the moon shining its soft light upon the world. Becoming increasingly nervous alone in her dark room, Charm hopped down off the bed and trotted out into the hallway. The door to Violet’s room was still open but Violet wasn’t in her bed. Now even more nervous and worried, Charm carefully made her way down the stairs. The light in the kitchen was still on giving Charm some hope. She quickly trotted into the kitchen and stopped when she saw Violet, her head was lying on the table and one foreleg was dangling down beside her.

Slowly Charm approached the prone figure, the worst possibilities filling her mind. Her fears were quickly dissipated when she drew close enough to hear Violet’s gentle snoring. Charm reached out a hoof to try and prod her awake then paused. Maybe now that Violet was asleep she could try to find out what she had been reading. As quietly as she could Charm clambered up onto the chair opposite Violet and reached across the table for one of the papers. She nearly yelped in panic as the book underneath her hooves slid back under her weight but luckily she managed to keep from falling.

The paper slid across the table underneath Charm’s hoof. She twisted the paper around to face her and examined it. It had a lot more words then the books she was used to reading and they were much smaller without any pictures at all. The only words that seemed large enough to read easily were the big ones at the top of the page. “Ah… d… dopt… ee… un…” Charm read slowly, “in… fo.. for…. may… te…” Her reading was interrupted by a yawn from Violet. Panicking, Charm pushed the paper away causing it to fall off the table and onto the floor. Violet stretched her forelegs and blinked slowly at Charm. “Charm? What are you doing down here? What time is it?” She mumbled. “Night,” Charm told her, looking embarrassed.

“Did I fall asleep down here? I’m sorry,” Violet said, getting off her chair, “Oh, looks like this one fell on the floor.” She picked up the paper Charm had accidently knocked off the table and placed it back with the others. “Uhm…” Charm stuttered nervously, wondering if she should ask about what was on the paper. “Something wrong?” Violet asked, looking at her quizzically. Charm shuffled uncomfortably but was too curious not to ask, “What does a-dopt-ee-un mean?” “Adopteeun? Do you mean adoption? Where did you…?” Violet paused and looked at the paper she had placed back on the table, “Oh.”

“I… I’m sorry… I wanted to know…” Charm said, looking down at her hooves. “No, it’s alright, I was being a little too evasive anyway,” Violet sighed. She lifted Charm up off the chain and gently placed the filly on the floor. “I promise I’ll explain all about… Tomorrow. Okay?” Violet told her. Charm nodded but she still couldn’t help but feel like she had done something wrong. “I don’t know about you, but I think it’s about time we went to bed,” Violet said with a yawn. The two ponies trotted to the stairs, turning the kitchen light off on their way out, and off to bed.

The kitchen was silent as Charm tried to process everything she had just been told. Violet watched Charm anxiously, she wasn’t sure how the filly would respond but she hoped it would be favorably. “So… you would be… my new mom?” Charm asked hesitantly. “Well… Yes, in a way… But you wouldn’t have to call me mom or anything like that,” Violet explained, quickly adding “at least not if you didn’t want to.” Charm thought about this for a minute but it was hard for her to even begin thinking of having a new family when the memories of her parents were still so fresh in her mind.

“I… Know you don’t have anyone else and this way I can take care of you, at least until you’re old enough to take care of yourself,” Violet said. “But if…” Charm started but trailed off. “I don’t want to be alone…” She managed after a moment’s silence. “And you never will be, I promise,” Violet told her, giving her a hug. “It’s okay if you want to think about it, I understand,” Violet said gently, “I should probably make us something to eat for breakfast before I forget.”  “W-wait,” Charm said, Violet stopped mid-step and turned back to her. “I… um…” Charm stuttered and shuffled nervously, “I… Yes, um… I… want a f-family… please.” Violet stared at her for a brief moment then smiled broadly and gave Charm up in a big hug. “I’m so glad! I’ll have everything taken care of, just wait!”

“So, what would you like for breakfast? Oatmeal? Cereal?” Violet asked, “I could even try making pancakes again if you’d like.” “Oatmeal please,” Charm said quietly as she pulled herself up onto her chair at the table. “Alright, oatmeal it is, I’ll have that ready in just a few minutes,” Violet said cheerfully and got to work. Charm watched Violet making breakfast for her. She had never really thought about it before, but Violet was the closest thing to family she had left. It seemed strange that Violet would be so willing to take care of her and even stranger that she could become her family, just like that. But still… It was felt nice to have somepony there for her.

Charm sat patiently on the couch, her doll held between her forelegs, and watched the empty fireplace. She hoped Violet would get back soon, she had said she was going to get somepony to make the adoption official. Charm wasn’t really sure what that meant, but Violet seemed happy about it. She considered bringing a book down to practice reading, or maybe her viola, but decided against it. Violet could come through the door at any moment and Charm wanted to be at the door when she did. The time seemed to stretch on for an eternity, long enough that Charm could swear she had counted every brick in the fireplace.

“I’m back!” Violet declared as she opened the door causing Charm to jump in surprise. “I’d like you to meet Parson Mare from town hall,” Violet said, gesturing at the gray pony that had followed her into the house. “Hello there,” Parson greeted Charm cheerfully. “Uhm… Hello…” Charm replied shyly. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing?” Parson chirped. Charm hid behind Violet, the attention making her increasingly uncomfortable. “Why don’t we get started on those forms?” Violet suggested, “I think I’ve already filled out most of it.”

“Alright, let me take a look at them and hopefully they’ll be stamped and filed within the hour,” Parson replied, remaining ever cheerful. Parson picked up a bag she had placed by the door and followed Violet into the kitchen with Charm trying to hide underneath one of Violet’s wings. “This is what I have so far, I don’t know if there’s anything missing or not…” Violet said, sliding various papers on the table so they were facing Parson. Parson put her bag down on one side of the table and looked over the papers. After a few minutes she pulled another paper out of her bag along with a quill, some ink, and a stamp.

“Now I just need your signature here,” Parson told Violet after she had filled out the sheet. Violet took the quill and signed where Parson had indicated. “And Charm, think you can do something for me?” Parson asked Charm. Charm looked nervous but nodded. “Just put your hoof right here, just like that,” Parson said and quickly traced Charm’s hoof onto the page. The stamp clicked as it was pressed against the paper and soon after Parson had all the papers neatly stacked. “There you go; you are now officially a mother! Congratulations Miss Scope!” Parson declared happily.

“Th-that’s it?” Charm asked, a bit bewildered. “Yes, that’s it! Now I should really get this back to Town Hall so I can file them appropriately. We wouldn’t want them to get lost now would we?” Parson said, putting the papers neatly in her bag and trotting towards the door. “Thank you for everything, we really appreciate it,” Violet said, following Parson to the door with Charm trailing slightly behind. “I’m glad I could help, you two take care now!” Parson said. The door closed leaving Charm and Violet alone once more.

“I… I thought I’d feel… Different…” Charm said, her voice almost a whisper. Violet wrapped a foreleg around her and hugged her gently. “Well no matter how you feel, I’ll always be here for you,” Violet told her, “Now how about we try some more scales?” “Uhm, yes please,” Charm replied. She grabbed her doll from the couch and followed Violet up the stairs. When her doll was safe tucked into the corner of her bed, Charm trotted over to where Violet was waiting and got out her viola. “Alright, now let’s start with C…”

Violet walked slowly through the street, being mindful of the small filly on her back. The last three weeks had been increasingly hectic as winter approached; she had hardly had a day’s rest and having to take care of Charm on top of everything else just added to the stress. The young filly wasn’t demanding in the slightest, but that was worrying in itself. It often felt like if she wasn’t there that Charm would just curl up in a corner and wither away. She had never imagined being a mother would be like this, but in her experience life rarely met with expectations.

“We’re here,” She said, gently nudging Charm with one of her wings. Charm looked up at the cemetery gates but didn’t say anything as she lowered herself from Violet’s back. Violet had taken her here for one last visit, before the first snow of winter. Together they headed into the cemetery and made their way to Charm’s parents’ graves. As they sat in front of the graves, Charm leaned against Violet who gently wrapped a wing around her. They stayed like that for some time in solemn silence.

A cold breeze swept through the cemetery causing Charm to shiver and draw closer to Violet. “Are you cold? We can leave if you want,” Violet said, her voice giving away her concern. “N… no… I want to stay…” Charm managed, sniffing quietly. Violet put a foreleg around her and brought her in close, holding her tightly against the cold. “I… I can still… h-hear them…” Charm whispered, “A-and… The t-train… a-and…” Her words ended in a sob and she pressed her head against Violet’s chest.

“It’s okay, you’re alright now,” Violet comforted Charm. Violet held the filly close as the tears began to flow, accompanied by low sobs. It was nearly an hour before Charm stopped crying and the silence returned. “Are you feeling better?” Violet asked gently. Charm nodded slightly but didn’t move. “Um… V-Violet…?” She whispered after a minute of silence. “Yes?” Violet responded. “C… can I… Is it a-alright if… if I call you mom?” Charm asked, her voice trembling and quiet.

Violet looked down at Charm with tears in her eyes and picked the filly up into a tight hug, kissing her on the forehead. “Of course you can! There’s nothing I’d like more,” She replied, her own voice now trembling with emotion. Gently Violet set Charm onto the ground and wiped the tears from her eyes with her hoof. “Th-thank you… F-for everything, Mommy,” Charm said after a moment’s silence. Violet simply smiled and affectionately ruffled Charm’s mane.

Another cold breeze swept through and both ponies shivered. “Come on, we should head home, I’ll make us some hot chocolate,” Violet said. Charm nodded and Violet kneeled down so Charm could climb up onto her back. When she was sure Charm was secure on her back Violet turned and headed out of the cemetery. “Mom… Please don’t ever leave me,“ Charm whispered softly, hugging Violet’s neck tightly. “Of course not, I’ll always be here for you,” Violet replied.

Charm lay awake staring at the ceiling, her doll gripped tightly between her hooves. Tomorrow was going to be her first day of school, something she dreaded but Violet insisted she needed to go. She trusted her mother, so she tried not to worry about what was going to happen when she met the other fillies and colts, but try as hard as she might she couldn’t get rid of her fear. Over the past months she had seen a few other children around Ponyville but despite Violet’s encouragement she was never brave enough to speak to any of them.

She still remembered back in Canterlot, how her eyes made it so hard to make friends and how all the other children called her weird. No matter what Violet said, she was certain it was going to happen again. Feeling restless she looked over at her viola, wishing it wasn’t so late so she could practice. Playing her viola always made her feel better, but she knew Violet was sleeping in the other room and she didn’t want her mother to know how nervous she was. Violet already worried enough about her.

Attempting to put her worries out of her mind she rolled over to face the wall and pulled her blanket over her shoulders. Closing her eyes she tried distracting herself by thinking about Violet and playing her viola. It didn’t work, her mind still drifted towards the coming day and everything it might carry with it. She hugged her doll and worried, all the possible insults, jokes, and mean things that the other children might say to and about her moving through her mind, making her ever more anxious.

“Charm, it’s time to wake up darling,” Violet said, gently shaking Charm awake. “M-mom?” Charm muttered sleepily as her eyes blinked open. “I’m here,” Violet responded. Charm sat up, yawned, and rubbed her eyes. “Is it time to go to school?” She asked. “Without eating breakfast first? Of course not, you’ve still got plenty of time to eat and get ready,” Violet replied with a laugh. “Oh… Okay…” Charm yawned. “Come on, I got a special breakfast waiting for you today,” Violet said, smiling cheerfully. Charm followed Violet downstairs, almost stumbling down the stairs she was so tired.

As soon as her hoof touched the landing Charm could smell them. “Pancakes?” She asked. “Mhm!” Violet replied, “I had Butterwings teach me how to make those banana chocolate pancakes you love, I know they’re your favorite!” Charm leaned against Violet, giving her an affectionate nuzzle. “Thank you,” Charm said before scampering over to the table and clambering onto her chair, ready to eat. Violet quickly followed her, smiling happily.

Violet landed softly in front of the school house and kneeled so Charm could slip off. “Have you got everything? Your lunch? Pencil and paper?” Violet asked. Charm nodded, “It’s still in my bag.” “Okay, now remember, just be yourself, if you have any trouble talk to your teacher or me, and do as your teacher says, and…” Violet paused, trying to think of anything else she was forgetting. “I’ll be fine, mom,” Charm said, nuzzling Violet to reassure her and also to reassure herself. “Alright, sweetie. You just have a good first day and I’ll be here to pick you up,” Violet said, giving Charm one last hug.

Slightly hesitantly Charm walked toward the school house and followed the other children inside. “Hello, kids! Take a seat wherever you like, class will start in just a few minutes!” The teacher said, smiling cheerfully as Charm walked in. Charm paused and looked around at all the other kids finding seats. She thought for a moment then slowly made her way to the back corner, being sure not to get too close to any of the other children. As the stragglers found their seats, Charm put her bag down and took out the things Violet had said she would need, placing them on the desk.

“Okay class, let’s get started!” the teacher announced once everypony was seated, “My name is Cheerilee and I’ll be your teacher!” Cheerilee picked up a stick of chalk and wrote her name on a blackboard. “I’m very excited to be here! This is my first year teaching, so we’ll be learning together!” She said cheerfully. “Oh, I should ask, who here knows how to read?” She asked, “Don’t be shy, raise your hoof!” Charm hesitated for a moment before raising her hoof in air. Cheerilee silently counted the hooves in the air. “Only six of you? Well I know what we’ll be focusing on this week!”

The rest of the morning went fairly quickly, Charm managed to avoid being called on or talk to any other children. A couple times she saw Cheerilee looking in her direction, but nothing more than that. “Alright children, it’s time for lunch break!” Cheerilee announced, “Everyone grab your lunches and head out to the playground!” Charm grabbed her lunch sack from inside her bag and wandered out slowly after the other children. Once she found a secluded spot she sat down to eat her lunch.

“Charm? Can I talk to you?” Charm looked up at Cheerilee, opened her mouth to say something, but closed it and nodded instead. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Cheerilee said.  Charm remained silent. “Your… mother talked to me yesterday,” Cheerilee continued, “I just want you to know, if you need anything, I’ll be here to help however I can.” “I… I’m fine…” Charm said after a moments silence. “Okay, but I’ll be here if you need me,” Cheerilee told her before trotting away.

Once Cheerilee was gone Charm took out her lunch and ate silently. She spent the rest of the lunch break watching the other kids playing and wishing she had a book to read. As soon as the bell rang for class to start again she made her way back to her seat in the corner. Quietly she listened to Cheerilee’s lessons and watched as the other students answered her questions. It felt like hardly any time at all before Cheerilee was dismissing the class and she was putting her bag back over her back.

The children all crowded out of the school house with Charm trailing behind. She stood out in the yard looking around for Violet, uncertain what she should do. “Hello sweetheart, how was your first day of school?” Violet asked, coming up behind her. Charm jumped in surprise and turned to face her mother. “I… It… it was good… fine!” Charm squeaked. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you, dear,” Violet said with a chuckle, “Now was it really good, or are you just saying that?” “N-no, it was fine,” Charm replied.

“Alright, well do you mind waiting out here for a few minutes? I want to have a few words with your teacher,” Violet told her. Charm nodded and sat down as Violet went inside the school house. While she waited she imaged what Violet and Cheerilee might be talking about; she knew they were talking about her. All she could hope was that Violet wasn’t getting more worried about her; she could already see the worry in Violet’s eyes every time she looked at her. Charm didn’t think she could handle causing Violet any more pain.

Finally Violet trotted out of the school house and over to her. “I hope you didn’t get too anxious out here,” Violet said, “Should we head home for your viola lesson?“ Charm nodded and smiled, she was looking forward to playing her viola. “Alright, do you want a ride or should we walk?” Violet asked. “Um, I can walk,” Charm answered. “Let’s get walking then!” Violet exclaimed cheerfully. A little reluctantly, Charm followed her out onto the street and off towards home.

The pre-dawn light drifted in through the window as Charm jolted awake. She sat up and shook her head vigorously, trying to get the nightmare out of her head. Faceless ponies laughing, screeching of metal, and the screams of terror; all swimming through her head. Luckily it wasn’t long before the nightmare faded away into vague memory as dreams always do. For a few minutes she tried to get back to sleep but she just couldn’t, so instead she crawled out of bed and trotted over to a window.

Up in the sky the stars were just fading away into the blue. Charm watched the sun slowly rise for a few minutes but she grew restless and trotted towards the door. She peaked in Violet’s room, hoping she wasn’t the first awake, but Violet was sleeping soundly in her bed. Hesitantly Charm approached the bed, wondering if she should wake Violet up or maybe even join her on the bed. It’s been months since Charm had last gotten into bed with Violet to chase away her fears so she could sleep.

While Charm was trying to make a decision and watching Violet she wasn’t looking where she was stepping. She gave a short scream as she tripped over Violet’s viola which had been propped against the bed. In seconds she was flat on her face and scrabbling trying to get up again. In her bed Violet yawned, opened her eyes, sat up, and stretched out her forelegs. “Charm? What are you doing up so early?” Violet asked sleepily. “I… uhm… Had a nightmare…” Charm replied as she got to her hooves.

“Oh, was it the crash again?” Violet asked softly as she lifted Charm up onto the bed and hugged her. “N-no… but I’m… I’m fine now, I can’t remember it anymore…” Charm answered. “Okay, but you know I’m here if you need me,” Violet told her. She placed Charm gently on the floor and then yawned. “Well, since we’re up I might as well get breakfast ready,” Violet said, smiling cheerfully. Together they trotted to the kitchen, Charm climbed onto her chair at the table and Violet got to work making their breakfast.

“Alright, have a good day at school, dear!” Violet said, giving Charm a hug. Charm hugged Violet back before walking off to the school house. “Hey look, it’s that weird girl,” Charm heard as she made her way to her desk. “The one that never talks to any pony?” Another filly asked. “Yeah, and have you seen her eyes? They’re so weird…” Charm tried to ignore them and took her seat in the back of the class. Over the last two weeks it seemed like there were more comments like that every day. She tried her best to stay out of the way, she really did, but still they called her weird and other names.

Charm put her anxieties aside and tried to focus on her school work. Cheerilee gave them exercises to do every day, usually things Violet had already taught her like reading or the different colors, but she did them anyway, they made a good distraction. Charm didn’t look up when class started; Cheerilee always started the class with reading exercises. She tried to pay attention as the class dragged on, but the more she tried to concentrate on the lessons or her work the more her mind drifted to the other kids. It was too much like the daycare she stayed in back in Canterlot, but with more homework.

The hours ticked by until finally Cheerilee excused them all for lunch break. Gratefully Charm got out her lunch sack and wandered to her usual secluded spot. On the way she caught some of the other children giving her strange looks and whispering to each other, but she did her best to ignore them. She sat down and pulled out her lunch but paused, looking out over the school yard at all the other fillies and colts as they ate and play together. Sighing, she turned away and started quietly eating her lunch as usual.

“Why don’t you ever talk to any pony?” A curious voice asked. Startled, Charm turned around and her gaze was met by a purple filly staring at her curiously. “Is it because you’re shy?” The filly continued, “It’s okay if you are, lots of kids are shy!” Charm blinked at her, uncertain how to respond. “You always seem so lonely over here,” the filly said, “don’t you have any friends?” Charm tried to think of something to say, but her mind was blank so she just shook her head. “Oh… Well that’s okay, I mean it’s only been two weeks…” The filly trailed off. They looked at each other awkwardly for a few moments.

“Mind if I sit with you?” The filly asked, breaking the silence. “Uhm… Okay…” Charm responded, a little bit of uncertainty edging her voice. “Great! By the way, my name’s Fuchsia, what’s yours?” Fuchsia said happily as she plopped down in the grass beside Charm. “I’m… My name’s Charm,” Charm answered. “Hi Charm, it’s good to meet you!” Fuchsia greeted her, smiling cheerfully, “So what did you bring for lunch?” Charm hesitated for a moment before grabbing the sandwich and muffin that Violet had packed for her and bringing them around for Fuchsia to see.

“Oh, that looks really nice, I bet it will taste delicious!” Fuchsia commented, “My dad made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I’m not really hungry.” Charm felt a bit lost and not at all sure how she should respond, so instead she took a bite of her sandwich. “So what do you do for fun? Do you have a favorite game?” Fuchsia asked after Charm had swallowed her food. Charm thought for a moment, she didn’t really play any games but there was one thing that she did for fun. “I… Play the viola…” She said.

Fuchsia tilted her head and gave Charm a blank look. “I-it’s an instrument…” Charm clarified. “Ooooh! You play music! I wish I could play music… I always wanted to learn to play piano but my parents said it was too expensive,” Fuchsia told her, “Are you good at it? The viola?” “Uhm… well… M-my mom says I’ve gotten pretty good at it, but I don’t know…” Charm replied. “I’d love to hear you play some time; I bet you’re great at it!” Fuchsia said cheerfully. Charm took another bite of her sandwich in order to avoid having to respond.

“I like to draw for fun, I’m not very good at it but it’s really fun coming up with ideas,” Fuchsia said, “I also like playing hide and seek with my big sister, especially when she doesn’t know we’re playing!” Charm swallowed her food and looked quizzically at Fuchsia. “How can you play hide and seek when she doesn’t know you’re playing?” She asked. “Easy! I just wait until she leaves our house then I follow her, waiting for the perfect moment, then I jump out and yell ‘surprise!’” Fuchsia answered, demonstrating her ‘surprise’ jump. Charm couldn’t help but chuckle at the silly display.

“I knew I could make you smile!” Fuchsia said with a triumphant smile on her face. “Make me smile?” Charm asked in confusion. “Yep! You looked lonely and sad, so I wanted to make you smile!” Fuchsia replied cheerfully. “Why?” Charm asked, still confused. “Why not?” Fuchsia responded. The two fillies looked at each other for a minute then Fuchsia laughed and Charm took a bite of her sandwich. “Hey, after you’re done eating do you want to play with me?” Fuchsia asked, her eyes shining with hope.

Charm swallowed and blinked at Fuchsia. “Uhm… Okay…” She managed. “Great! You wait here, I’ll go see if there’s anywhere we can play!” Fuchsia exclaimed and bounced up and off towards the playground. Charm stared after Fuchsia briefly, feeling very perplexed and unsure how she should feel about this strange development. She continued munching on her lunch, wondering if she should move or wait for Fuchsia to get back. Her sandwich was just about gone when Fuchsia came bouncing back and sat down in front of her.

“The swings are open, I think that could be fun!” Fuchsia told Charm who was finishing off her sandwich. “What do you think? Have you been on a swing before?” Fuchsia asked. “Uhm… No… B-but I could try…” Charm replied a little hesitantly. “Cool! Don’t worry, it’s really a lot of fun, so long as you don’t fall off,” Fuchsia said, smiling happily. Slightly reluctantly Charm agreed to try and packed up her muffin. Once she had put the last of her lunch safely with the rest of her stuff, Fuchsia led her to the playground and the open swing set.

Over the course of the lunch break Fuchsia took Charm from one area of the playground to another, showing her how to use everything. Charm caught the other children giving them odd looks and whispering to each other, but Fuchsia didn’t pay them any attention. Throughout it all Fuchsia chatted and asked lots of questions and Charm answered as best she could, feeling a bit like she was in a trance. When the bell rang to signal the end of lunch break she had to admit she was a bit disappointed.

Late morning light streamed in through Charm’s bedroom windows, lighting her room with its gentle glow. Charm lay on her bed with a book in her hooves, engrossed in its pages. It was a novel she had been reading almost every day since Violet had gotten it for her on her birthday last spring. Now that it was the weekend she had lots of time to read and maybe even reach the end of the book. She likely would have finished reading the novel months ago if she didn’t have to pull out a dictionary every other paragraph.

“Charm! There’s someone here to see you!” Charm heard Violet call up to her. Feeling a mix of apprehension and annoyance at being interrupted she carefully put the book aside, hopped off the bed, and trotted downstairs. “Hi Charm!” Fuchsia called from the doorway. “Uhm… Hello Fuchsia… What are you doing here?” Charm asked as she trotted over to the door. “I was wondering if you wanted to play today,” Fuchsia replied. Charm opened her mouth but couldn’t think of anything to say so she closed it again and looked at Violet for some hint as to what she should do.

Encouragingly Violet smiled and urged Charm forward. “I… uhm… Okay,” Charm managed. “If you would like I can take both of you to the park, I’m sure there’s lots you can do on a lovely day like this,” Violet said. “Okay! I’d love to go to the park!” Fuchsia agreed enthusiastically. Charm simply nodded her head in agreement, uncertain whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. “And we could even get some treats on the way back,” Violet suggested as they walked out the door. “Like milkshakes?” Fuchsia asked, hopping up and down excitedly. “Yes, like milkshakes,” Violet responded with a chuckle.

“What do you think that one looks like?” Fuchsia asked, pointing at a cloud with her hoof. “Um… A duck,” Charm said after a moment’s thought. “Hmm… Yeah, it kinda does look like a duck!” Fuchsia said. The cloud up above shifted and changed slightly as the two fillies watched and tried to think what shape it would settle on next. “It’s… It’s a dragon!” Fuchsia declared once the cloud had stopped shifting. “Wow, that’s a really good dragon,” Charm commented. As if in response the fluffy white dragon’s wings seemed to flap slowly up and down and its head bobbed.

“Is... is it coming closer?” Charm asked, giving Fuchsia a worried glance. “I think it is… But it’s just a cloud, right?” Fuchsia replied, returning Charm’s glance. “M-maybe we should move…” Charm suggested, getting onto her hooves as the dragon-cloud loomed above. “We should go back to where your mom is!” Fuchsia said, getting up. “Where is she? I don’t see her!” Charm said, panic edging her voice. “It’s too late! Get down!” Fuchsia exclaimed and pushed Charm to the ground. Above them the dragon’s mouth opened and…

“Boo!” Violet exclaimed, popping out of the cloud-dragon’s mouth. Both fillies screamed in shock, Fuchsia’s scream quickly turning to laughter. “I thought I might try making your cloud watching a little more exciting!” Violet said, pushing the cloud back up as she glided back down to the ground. “That was awesome!” Fuchsia pronounced. “Hey Charm, you okay? You look a bit frozen,” Violet asked, giving Charm a gentle prod. Charm was still staring up at the sky, with a shocked look on her face, and barely noticed Violet nudging her.

“Is she broken?” Fuchsia asked Violet, her voice slightly tinted with worry. “Charm? Are you okay?” Violet inquired softly, giving Charm another small nudge. After a moment Charm’s eyes focused on Violet and she jumped onto her hooves. “Scared you!” She said and smiled. “Ha! You little trickster!” Violet responded, playfully poking Charm. “You’re good!” Fuchsia said and all three of them laughed together. “Now what do you say we go get something to eat? I’m feeling a bit peckish,” Violet suggested. The fillies agreed and together they walked out the park, chatting the whole way.

Charm and Fuchsia sat by the school house, watching the other fillies and colts playing on the playground. “I don’t get it,” Fuchsia said, breaking the silence. “What?” Charm asked, tilting her head in confusion. “I mean, I don’t get why they make fun of you,” Fuchsia clarified, not taking her eyes off the other children. “Oh,” Charm responded, not knowing what else she should say. “They talk about your eyes, but what does that matter? They’re just eyes, it’s not like you’re any different because of them!” Fuchsia continued. “Uhm… Well they make fun of Claira too… and she’s a donkey…” Charm said.

“But that doesn’t make any sense either!” Fuchsia replied, “How does being a donkey change who she is? I just don’t get it!” They sat in silence for a while, both pondering what Fuchsia had said. Charm was almost certain she knew why the other children made fun of her but she couldn’t think of a way to explain it. This wasn’t the first time she had been caught off guard by one of Fuchsia’s comments. It often seemed as if Fuchsia was continuing conversations they had never started and Charm was just as often stumped. Even after two weeks of being friends she still didn’t really know what to say.

It still felt odd having a friend, especially a friend like Fuchsia, but it was odd in a good way. Charm had never had anyone stand up for her when other children were making fun of her, but Fuchsia had done just that. Right in the middle of class Fuchsia had gotten up and confronted a couple of other fillies when she’d heard them talking about Charm. Afterwards Cheerilee had some very encouraging things to say, including apologizing for not spotting it sooner, but in Charm’s experience adults rarely actually saw the other children being mean. Remembering the event still made her feel odd.

“I think we should get ice cream,” Fuchsia suggested. “Uhm, now?” Charm asked, confusion edging her voice. “No silly, I mean after school. It’s only a few more weeks until winter and then it will be too cold!” Fuchsia replied. “Oh. Okay, I mean, if our parents let us,” Charm said. “I bet your mom would take us, she could even have some ice cream too!” Fuchsia chirped. “Um, sure. That does sound fun…” Charm said, feeling a little uncertain. “It will be, trust me!” Fuchsia responded, adding “…and maybe she’ll know why they make fun of you, and Claira too.” “Maybe…” Was all Charm could think to say.

Days passed, and then weeks and the winter weather began settling in with cold breezes and cloudy days. Violet spent a lot of time out of the house working on the weather preparing for the first snow fall of the year. It was better than last year but Charm still felt slight pangs every time Violet had to leave her at home. Luckily this year she had Fuchsia to keep her company, they had been spending almost every day after school together and most weekends too. Fuchsia never did manage to understand why the other children made fun of Charm, but she never stopped asking.

Violet had said this was going to be the last clear day for a while so Charm and Fuchsia planned to make the most of it. Once Fuchsia got here they were going for one last long walk around town, a stop by Sugar Cube Corner, and then a game of hide-and-seek in the park. Charm wanted to do more but Violet had said she needed to be back by evening and that didn’t give them a lot of time. Maybe when she got back she could play a melody for Fuchsia, she’d gotten a lot better with her viola and Fuchsia had said she wanted to hear her play. It still made her a little nervous to play for some pony other than Violet though.

Charm stared out the window by the door, occasionally adjusting the winter cap Violet made her wear outdoors so it wasn’t falling in her eyes. With the cold weather Violet had gotten her a bunch of winter clothes and insisted she always wear at least the cap and the scarf. It kept her warm but often got in her way and she’d stepped on the scarf at least three times since getting it. She jumped at a knocking at the door and her cap fell down over her eyes again. Re-adjusting her cap once again she went to open the door, wondering how Fuchsia managed to get past without her seeing.

“Hey Charm! Sorry I’m a bit late, my mom had me taking out the garbage,” Fuchsia said when Charm opened the door. “You’ve got a cap too?” Charm asked, noticing the blue and purple cap on Fuchsia’s head holding down her normally bouncy hair. “Yeah, my mom said it was going to get cold today since it’s going to snow tomorrow so she made me wear this,” Fuchsia replied, giving her cap a slight nudge. “At least yours fits. Mine is a size too big so I can grow into it,” Charm said. Fuchsia giggled and poked Charm’s cap making it slide down into her eyes. “Hey!” Charm complained with a laugh.

“So are you ready to head out?” Fuchsia asked with a cheerful smile. “Yup! Let’s go!” Charm responded and trotted out the door, making sure to close it behind her.  “Which way should we go first?” Charm asked. “Uh… How about towards that new building they’re making over by town hall?” Fuchsia suggested. “The one by the river, or the one near the park?” Charm asked. “River,” Fuchsia said after a moment’s thought. “Okay,” Charm agreed. Together the two fillies trotted off down the road towards the town hall. It wasn’t long before Fuchsia started talking about everything she wanted to do over winter.

Charm listened quietly to everything Fuchsia said, only occasionally interjecting with a comment or question. Often Charm found it easier just to let Fuchsia talk, as close as they were now it was still difficult for her to think what to say in conversation but somehow Fuchsia never seemed to have that problem. Fuchsia was almost always so cheerful and full of energy and often when they were together Charm felt like some of Fuchsia’s good spirits were rubbing off on her, making her feel better about the world.  They were reaching almost at town hall, near the river that ran through town, when she heard something strange.

“Wait, do you hear that?” Charm asked, stopping in her tracks. Fuchsia paused and listened for a moment. “Yeah, I hear it too, it kinda sounds like a dog,” She replied. “It’s coming from over here,” Charm said, trotting over to a bush a ways off the road on the edge of the river. Carefully she lifted the lower branches with a hoof and peered under, the dog inside whimpered slightly as it spotted her. “Hello,” Charm greeted the dog gently, “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” The small dog moved forward and touched Charm’s hoof with its wet nose and wagged its tail slightly.

“Where’s your owner?” Charm asked, giving the dog a slight pet with her free hoof. In response the dog whined and put its head in its paws. “What does that mean?” Fuchsia asked in a whisper as she lay down next to Charm. “I think it doesn’t have an owner,” Charm replied before addressing the dog, “Are you all alone?” The dog whined and gave Charm’s hoof a gentle nudge. “I guess so, well you can come with us if you want, we’ll take good care of you,” Charm told it gently. She and Fuchsia moved out of the way as the dog slowly crawled out from under the bush and into the sunlight.

In the light its matted fur was much more obvious and it was so skinny they could see its ribcage through its fur. “That’s so sad, you must be starving!” Fuchsia exclaimed as the god gave Charm a wet lick. “We should get it back to my house, there’s got to be something we can feed it,” Charm suggested. “Yeah, plus my parents would really hate if I brought a dog home,” Fuchsia added. The dog gave a playful bark and tugged slightly at Charm’s scarf. Charm giggled and tugged back weakly. “Come on, we have to get you some food!” She told it. Giving another short bark the dog happily followed Charm and Fuchsia, its tail wagging vigorously.

Feeling exhausted Violet touched down onto the ground and pushed open the front door, looking forward to a relaxing evening with a cozy fire. Her visions of a relaxing evening burst as she stepped through the door and heard a bark coming from the kitchen. “We can’t just call it ‘dog,’ it needs a name!” Fuchsia was saying. “I’m not very good with names though… I haven’t even named my doll…” Charm replied. “What in Equestria is going on here?” Violet asked, entering the kitchen. Charm and Fuchsia were lying on the kitchen floor, a ragged looking brown dog between them with a plate that looked like it had recently held baked beans next to it.

Charm nearly jumped out of her skin at Violet’s sudden entrance but Fuchsia just smiled at Violet. “Hi Violet! We found a lost dog on our walk!” Fuchsia explained cheerfully. “I can see that,” Violet said. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know where else we could take it and it was so hungry so I…” Charm started, panic edging her voice. Violet sighed and put a hoof on Charm’s head gently, “You can calm down, I’m not angry with you, I was just surprised.” The dog stretched forward and gave Violet a friendly lick. The girls had obviously tried to groom its fur but it still looked rather mangy and unkempt.

“Tell you what, why don’t we take it to the vet and then see about getting it a home,” Violet suggested. “Okay,” Charm replied, a little apprehensively. “Can I come?” Fuchsia asked excitedly, bouncing onto her hooves. Violet chuckled at Fuchsia’s enthusiasm, “Sure, you can come too.” “Sweet!” Fuchsia exclaimed, bouncing happily. The dog stood up and wagged its tail excitedly. “Alright, alright, that’s enough excitement, let’s get going,” Violet said, ushering everyone out of the house. “We still don’t have a name for it though,” Fuchsia said as they left the house. “I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Violet told her.

Charm and Fuchsia waited anxiously in the lobby while Violet was in with the veterinarian. They had tried to come up with a name for the dog while they waited but they couldn’t agree on anything serious. It got to the point where they were competing on the silliest name they could think of, but they quickly ran out of names. All they had left to do now was wait until Violet came back. “How much longer do we have to wait?” Fuchsia asked, shuffling anxiously in her seat. “I… don’t know…” Charm replied, feeling a bit anxious herself, “I’m sure they’ll be back soon…”

The lobby was empty except for them; there had been a mare waiting with them but she left after one of the veterinarians had brought out her cat. It was obvious sitting quietly was making Fuchsia grow increasingly agitated but Charm wasn’t sure what she could do to help. Fortunately their wait was brought to an end as they both heard a happy bark and the scrabbling of paws across the floor. The dog all but jumped on Charm, giving her an excited lick and wagging its tail. “You’re back!” Fuchsia exclaimed, jumping down off her seat as Violet walked up to them and Charm gave the dog a hug. “You’ll both be happy to know that besides being a bit on the hungry side, he’s perfectly healthy,” Violet said.

Charm and Fuchsia looked at Violet with a mix of surprise and relief. “He?” Fuchsia asked. “Where will he live?” Charm asked at the same time. “Yes, he’s a he, and I don’t know where he’ll live, but the doctor said they could keep him here until they found a good home,” Violet informed them. The dog whined and put its head against Charm’s hoof, looking up at her. “He.. he couldn’t stay with us?” Charm asked, her voice wavering slightly. Violet looked at Charm, the dog, and Fuchsia’s hopeful eyes. “I don’t know… A pet is a big responsibility,” Violet said, knowing it wouldn’t do any good.

“I know, but I’ll do my best to feed him and take care of him…” Charm said. “And I’ll help!” Fuchsia chimed in. “Fuchsia, you don’t live with us you know,” Violet said with a laugh. “I know, but my parents will let me come over a lot so long as I finish all my school work!” Fuchsia replied. The dog whined and gave Violet’s hoof a pleading nudge with its nose. Violet sighed, giving in, “Alright, he can stay, but I want you to understand he is your responsibility, you’ll need to take him for walks, help feed him, and keep him happy.” “I know and I’ll do my best,” Charm said, hoping she wouldn’t regret saying that.

Violet lay on the couch, grateful for the rest after watching the girls for most of the day after they had gotten home with the new named Bean. Fuchsia’s father had come and taken her home, Charm and Bean had worn themselves out playing tug of war with a toy the vet had given them, and the house had settled into the gentle peace of evening with a warm fire in the hearth. Times like this made the nightmare that was winter in Ponyville worth bearing; all the squabbling and failed attempts at coordination in the world couldn’t take the peace of lying on the couch while her daughter and their new dog were curled up in front of the fire.

Slowly Charm got to her hooves, stretched, and carefully stepped over Bean towards the stairs. “Where are you going?” Violet asked curiously. “I’m going to play my viola, I want to practice before bedtime,” Charm answered, glancing back at Violet. “Do you want any help?” Violet responded. “No, I-I think I can do it,” Charm replied. “Alright, well be sure to be down by dinner and remember feed Bean before you go to bed,” Violet said giving Bean a sly glance and adding, “even though he’s already eaten plenty today.” “I’ll remember, I don’t want him to starve again,” Charm said and trotted up the stairs.

Leaning back into the couch Violet watched Bean and listened to the sound of Charm’s viola, drifting down from upstairs. Violet was both surprised and happy at how dedicated Charm was to practicing with the viola, even after a tiring day like today.  It reminded her of her days back in flight camp, when she had been given the viola so she could practice keeping her balance using her wings. Back then she practiced almost obsessively and it really did help her flying. For a little while she even thought she could go professional, maybe even join an orchestra, but of course she never did. Maybe it will be different for Charm.

Sunlight reflected brightly off the winter snow, the deep banks of snow disturbed only by cold gusts of wind. It was very pretty but Charm was glad to be inside, seeing the snow through a window was good enough for her. “Are you suuure you don’t want to have a snowball fight?” Fuchsia asked, edging up to her at the window. “It’s too cold,” Charm replied without looking over. Fuchsia had been trying to get her to play in the snow since school ended but she had enough of the cold walking home. “Fine, then I’ll just play with Bean instead,” Fuchsia said. “But Bean’s asleep in my room,” Charm pointed out.

The two fillies sat in silence for a few minutes just looking out the window at the cold snow outside. “Can I ask you something?” Fuchsia said, breaking the silence. “Uhm, yes, I mean, of course,” Charm replied. “Why do you help the other kids, even when they’re so mean to you?” Fuchsia asked. “W-what do you mean?” Charm asked, looking over at Fuchsia. “Like today, I saw you pick up Bluebell’s pencil for her, but she’s always calling you weird,” Fuchsia explained, “and you do things like that all the time.” “Uhm… Well… I never really thought about it before…” Charm said, shifting her hooves uncomfortably.

“I was just wondering how you do it. I mean, I know I don’t really want to help them, not after all the things they’ve said,” Fuchsia continued, “so why do you do it? How do you do it?” Charm stared at Fuchsia, she had no idea how to respond or what reasons she had for helping people who were nothing but mean to her, even though it was just in tiny little ways. “I… Uhm…” Charm stammered, “I just… Uhm…” She trailed off, feeling like the words she needed were on the tip of her tongue if she could just think. “Sorry, don’t worry about it! I didn’t mean to make you speechless,” Fuchsia said, smiling encouragingly. Charm let out a breath of relief.

“I… know I can be a bit pushy sometimes… Sorry,” Fuchsia said after another moment of silence. “My sister says I’m just too enthusiastic,” She continued, “and I guess that’s not nice for you…” Charm leaned over and pulled Fuchsia into an awkward hug. “I love your enthusiasm, it always makes me feel happier,” Charm said softly as they hugged. “R-really?” Fuchsia asked as Charm let go of her. “Yes, really. I… I’ve never felt that… the enthusiasm but seeing you so excited about things… I don’t know how to explain it…” Charm replied. “I think I get it,” Fuchsia said, “It’s kind of like how seeing Bean happy and playful makes me feel better.” “Yes, i-it’s like that,” Charm responded.

Fuchsia’s eyes lit up, her ears perked, and her mouth formed an ‘o’ as a sudden realization struck her. “I think I get it!” Fuchsia declared, smiling triumphantly. “Get what?” Charm asked, feeling utterly bewildered. “Why you help people all the time!” Fuchsia told her, “It’s because you can’t bear to see any pony who isn’t happy!” “I… It is?” Charm asked. “You’re happier when other ponies are happy, so it makes sense you would do everything you could to keep other from being sad, right?” Fuchsia said. “I… I guess…” Charm responded still feeling confused.