//------------------------------//
// Blindsight 
// Story: The Clydesdale Chronicles 
// by Jinxychan 
//------------------------------//

It was a refreshing spring morning, and the sun was just peaking over the mountains, casting its warm rays over the valley and the town that sat at the base. The town had been dubbed Clydesdale, due to the large size of its settlers centuries ago, though its citizens now were no bigger than any other pony. The river lazily flowed by the town on its never ending quest to reach the ocean. The flowers slowly began to bloom, in a vast amount of vibrant colors. Slowly the little town began to stir, and ponies began to venture out of their homes to start the day.  At the far end of town though, a faint bark could be heard from the Inn. 

            “Hush, Nights. Just a few more minutes,” a pastel blue earth pony muttered sleepily as she buried herself under the covers of the bed. The black Labrador whined a bit and let out another small bark at her owner and pawed at the sheets. The pony grumbled and pulled the pillow over her head. The dog whined as she grabbed the blanket and yanked it off her owner and barked at her yet again. 

            “Alright, alright I’m getting up,” the pony sighed in defeat and smiled slightly as she carefully climbed out of bed, not bothering to open her eyes yet. She stretched and shook out her midnight blue tail and straightened her bob of a mane. Nights pulled up beside her owner and licked her leg affectionately, giving another small whine. 

            “I know Nights, let’s go,” she giggled as she carefully headed for the door. Nights poked her nose through the crack, opening it mostly before the earth pony stepped through. She followed the canine down the hall and slowly down the stairs, her eyes still closed. As she started to walk through the lobby the innkeeper, an orange brown earth pony looked up and smiled. 

            “Good morning miss! Did you sleep well?” he called cheerfully. The Earth pony stopped and finally opened her eyes and turned towards the pony. 

            “Very well indeed thank you.” She smiled. The pony took a step back. 

            “O-oh I um. Do you need anything miss…?” He stuttered a bit as he looked at her, transfixed on her eyes. 

            “Dreamweaver. It’s quite all right. Thank you for the offer though.” Dreamweaver smiled as her gray eyes stared emptily off into space in his general direction. 

            “N-no problem. Let me know if you need help with anything.” He called as she slipped out the front door with the Labrador, closing her eyes again. 

            Dreamweaver sighed a bit as she walked with the guide dog down the street carefully, her ears at attention for every little sound. 

            “Always the same reaction huh Nights?” She asked as she paused, feeling the pooch had stopped to take care of business. The dog looked back at her and gave a small bark and wagged its tail as she meandered back over and nuzzled her leg.  

            “It seems like a really nice day today, shall we head to the town park? I’m sure there are plenty of ponies there on a nice day like this,” she smiled as the dog’s tail thumped against her leg as the canine led her off to the park. 

  

            It was a beautiful spring morning, and indeed ponies were already there, enjoying the morning in the park.  Dreamweaver smiled a bit as she walked into the park with Nights, making her way over to one of the benches and sat down. Nights took a seat next to her owner and licked her leg. 

            “Go on and play Nights, I’ll call if we need to go.” Dreamweaver smiled as she crossed her hooves, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her body, and the smell of the flowers nearby that were clearly in bloom.  Nights wagged her tail and cautiously wandered off to explore the park around her owner. The earth pony sighed as she listened to the sound of foals playing just a bit of a ways away from her. Their voices stopped for a moment. 

            “Excuse me, Miss, can you toss us our ball back?” one of them asked quietly, this time quite a bit closer. She opened her eyes and looked towards him, causing the young one to jump, the shuffling of his hooves told her he had backed up quite a bit. 

            “I would if I knew where it was.” Dreamweaver gave a slight smile.  

            “But it’s right there under the bench,” the foal offered quietly, a bit of confusion in his voice. “You can’t tell?” 

            “Basket, are you bothering ponies again?” A mare’s voice called as she walked over, and looked up at Dreamweaver. 

            “I’m terribly sorry he doesn’t know any better,” she offered, carefully retrieving the colt’s ball. The mare was a unicorn. She had a mustard yellow coat with a crimson red mane with a lighter stripe through it. Her hair was styled into a braid this fine day. 

            “Oh it’s quiet alright, I’m used to it,” she smiled and closed her eyes. The mare looked at her as she shooed her foal off to go play. 

            “I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before, are you new in town?” the unicorn asked as Nights ran back to her owner and growled defensively. 

            “Hush Nights! Don’t be rude,” Dreamweaver scolded before looking back towards the mare. “I arrived last night, I was hoping to possibly find a room for rent till I could start working.” 

            “Oh I see. Well, I think I know of a pony looking to rent out a room. Her name is Flashback and she lives over in the market district of town. I could take you over there if you’d like,” the mare offered. 

            “If you’d be so kind,” Dreamweaver smiled as she carefully got down from the bench. 

            “It’s no problem at all. Basket come on now, we’re leaving.” 

            “Aw mom! But we just got here!”
            “We’ll come back later. Say goodbye to your friends.” 

The colt grumbled a bit but followed after his mother. Nights wagged her tail as she followed after her owner and the unicorn back into town. 

  

            Dreamweaver smiled as she kept her eyes closed for the walk, to avoid startling anymore ponies for the time being. 

            “I don’t believe I caught your name,” Dreamweaver wondered aloud as she turned towards the unicorn mare. 

            “Oh, you can call me Stitches. I work at the hospital.” 

            “I see, I hear it’s a very rewarding career. My name is Dreamweaver, I interpret dreams.” 

            “Interpret dreams? Really? How interesting.” 

            “It can be! There are certainly plenty of stories. But those are for another time. What can you tell me about Clydesdale?” 

            “Oh it’s such a nice town, very modern. So many talented ponies have made their homes in the market district, like Flashback for instance. It is defiantly the smaller of our districts and yet most of the ponies live there. Our second district is reserved for farmers and their crops across the river.” 

            “That sounds beautiful, I’d love to visit when the fruit blossoms are in bloom.” 

            “The market district is what brings all the money into town despite the farms being plentiful.” 

            “Seems like a decent balance. What can you tell me about this pony you told me about?” 

            “Flashback? She’s a Pegasus and defiantly has her head up in the clouds, she’s an amazing photographer, and the wedding photos she takes are simply beautiful.” 

            “I can only imagine!” 

            “Mom we’re here.” 

Basket poked his mother and looked up at her. They were indeed already in the market district, in front of the little business Flashback to the Past.  

            “Oh! So we are,” Stitches chuckled. “I do apologize for rambling.” 

            “Oh no it’s quite alright, I learned a lot.” Dreamweaver giggled as Nights led her inside while Stitches held the door open for her. 

  

            “Flashback, are you there?” Stitches called as she walked up to the counter. “I brought somepony looking to rent.” 

             The room was decorated with all sorts of pictures, from wedding pictures to ponies achieving their goals. All of them were stunning in a sepia color scheme. The counter had a book with a list of options and prices for photographs. 

            “I’m coming! Just one moment please!” a voice called from the back room. Dreamweaver pulled up beside Stitches, keeping her eyes closed. After a couple minutes an sepia toned pegasus trotted out of the back room. She looked like she had walked out of one of the many pictures on the wall. 

            “Ah Stitches! So good to see you! Now what were you saying? I was wrapped up in the back,” she laughed. 

            “This is Dreamweaver, she is looking for a place to stay till she can start working, and last I heard, you said you were looking to rent a room.” Stitches explained, motioning towards the blue earth pony beside her. 

            “I see. Well I have the questionnaire lying around here somewhere, if you’d be so kind as to fill it out. Then we can head on upstairs and chat for a bit,” the pegasus smiled as she found the paper she was looking for and set it on the counter. 

            “Uh, Flashback, that might be a bit of a problem,” Stitches muttered as she leaned over and whispered into the pony’s ear. Flashback looked at her funny. 

            “What do you mean she can’t see? Of course she can’t see. She has her eyes closed!”  

            Dreamweaver opened her eyes and looked towards her. 

            “I’m sorry, I didn’t know having them closed bothered you. Usually ponies are more disturbed when I have my eyes open.” Dreamweaver offered apologetically. Flashback looked at her as her cheeks flushed a bright pink. 

            “Oh that’s what you meant! That explains the dog a bit more. I’m sorry for being so inconsiderate. We can just move on upstairs. Do you need any help at all?” Flashback asked, clearly embarrassed. 

            “It’s alright I can find my way. Thank you for the offer though,” Dreamweaver gave a small smile. “Just head on up and Nights will lead me there.” 

            “Alright then,” Flashback looked at Stitches. “Thanks for showing her the way here.” 

            “Any time Flashback. Come along Basket, I have a few things I need to pick up while we’re over here.” 

            “Aw mom do we have to?” Basket complained as he followed his mother out of the shop. 

  

            Flashback sighed as she looked at the blind pony in front of her. 

            “Well, Nights you said its name was? The stairs are this way.” She called sweetly as she walked towards the stairs. Nights sat down and growled slightly. Dreamweaver glared and nudged the dog. 

            “Knock it off. You’re still on duty. You can throw your little hissy fit later.” She scolded. The black lab growled but got up and followed after the Pegasus. 

            “I take it she doesn’t like me very much?” She questioned with a nervous laugh as she headed upstairs. 

            “No it’s not that, she’s a little wary of strangers sometimes. Don’t worry I’m sure she’ll warm up to you soon enough.” 

            “O-oh.  Sorry.” She sat down on the couch. “There’s a chair across from me you can sit in if you want.” 

Nights barked at her owner as she sat beside the chair. Dreamweaver sat down in it and smiled. 

            “I really do apologize for the, inconvenience.” Flashback offered once more. 

            “It’s no problem at all. Now what was this questionnaire you mentioned? I may not be able to write my answers but I can still complete it vocally yes?”  

            “Oh that, well, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about you trying to steal any of my work or my possessions. It was mostly things like that, my last roommate, ended up being quite the thief unfortunately, so I’ve had to be a bit picky.” 

            “That’s understandable, and I have no reason to try and take anything from you anyway. Not like I can see what’s of value even if I wanted to.” 

Both of them gave a bit of a nervous chuckle, followed by an awkward silence. 

            “Stitches mentioned you need a room till you could start paying rent, what exactly is it you do?” Flashback questioned as she looked over at the earth pony. 

            “I interpret dreams. Lots of ponies have odd dreams that they want explained to them. I tell them what they mean, what they can do to resolve whatever issue their subconscious is trying to bring to their attention.” 

            “That is defiantly something I haven’t heard of before. Certainly sounds interesting. Did ponies really pay you to do that?” 

            “Mhm. Lots of ponies were confused or frightened by their dreams and came to me seeking answers.” 

            “Do you think you’d be able to cover expenses with that?” 

            “I used to do so just fine before I moved.” 

            “Why did you move anyway?” 

            “I decided it was time for me to set out on my own and make a new start, where nopony was giving me business because they felt sorry for me and were doing me a favor.” 

            “Wow, that’s kind of low.” 

            “My parents were the main culprits, asking their friends to come in with their ‘troubling dreams’” 

            “Oh I see. Well I certainly wouldn’t do anything like that. If you’re any good you’ll pull in your own customers.” 

Dreamweaver’s ears twitched slightly towards the Pegasus. 

            “I really do need to get that room rented,” Flashback sighed with a slight smile as she looked towards her. “So I don’t see why not to let you have it.” 

            “Thank you so much! I assure you I won’t cause any problems.” 

            “Too late for that, I don’t have a spare room cleaned out for you to set your work area up.” 

            “I can just use my room if that’s alright. I don’t need much space; most of it is just atmosphere and decoration.” 

            “That’ll work till we figure something else out, but there is one last concern. The dog is, housebroken right?” 

            “Of course Nights is house broken. She lets me know when she has to go.” 

            “Alright then I guess that’s settled. Your room is this way.”  

Flashback stood and led her off to a room in the back of the apartment. It was fairly plain and a tad dusty from lack of use. 

            “Sorry for the dust, I can have it cleaned and set up for you by tonight.” Flashback offered. 

            “Thank you that’d be much appreciated. I have a few errands I need to run now, so I’ll be out of your hair while you work,” Dreamweaver replied as she walked around the room to get a feel for the size of it. “I really must thank you for this; I wasn’t expecting this to happen so quickly.” 

            “It’s no problem. I always try to help a pony when they need it and it’s not like this room was being used anyway. As long as you keep up your half of the rent I don’t mind at all. Go on and get those errands done, your room will be clean by the time you get back.”  

            “Alright then. Thank you once more, Flashback, for your kindness.” 

With that Dreamweaver started to head off out of the shop. 

  

            It wasn’t till after Princess Luna’s moon had taken its place in the night sky that Dreamweaver and Nights returned to the shop. Her ears perked at the sound of conversation upstairs as she slipped through the front door. Nights let out a slight whine as she led Dreamweaver up the stairs into the apartment. 

            “So that’s what I have written so far Flashback, what do you think?” A mare’s voice asked. It belonged to a unicorn with a cream colored coat and a bicolored mane of a dirty brown and shade of black. She had stunning icy blue eyes that looked at Flashback excitedly as the Pegasus’s eyes looked over the small stack of papers in front of her. 

            “I think it’s really good Inkblot, as always. That crazy imagination of yours has a use!” Flashback teased, her eyes moving from the unicorn over to the earth pony when she entered the room. Inkblot looked up at the pastel blue pony curiously. Dreamweaver kept her eyes closed for the time being. 

            “Inkblot this is the pony I was telling you about, Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver, this is my friend Inkblot. She tends to live in her own imagination so she can write it down for her novels.” Flashback teased 

            “I do not live in my own imagination!” Inkblot retorted playfully. 

            “Yes you do. Anyway, Dreamweaver, your room is all cleaned up and ready for you.” Flashback grinned. 

            “Thank you Flashback. Inkblot, was it? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Dreamweaver greeted with a small smile. Inkblot nodded and smiled back at her. 

            “The pleasure is all mine!” Inkblot said simply. She paused for a few moments as she looked at the Labrador while it faithfully sat by Dreamweaver’s side. Her face lit up as she gasped. 

            “Oh my gosh you just gave me the most brilliant idea for a story!” She squealed, hopping in place enthusiastically. “I would love to stay and chat more but I have to get home and start writing before the brain eaters of Narre steal the idea from me! It was wonderful meeting you Dreamweaver; I can’t wait to talk with you again soon!” 

With that said the unicorn had darted down the stairs and out the door. Dreamweaver blinked a few times as she turned towards the stairs when Inkblot ran off. Flashback sighed and shook her head with a smile. 

            “Well that was Inkblot. She’s a real nice pony, but as you can see she sometimes lets her imagination run off with her.” Flashback explained with a laugh as she walked over to the earth pony. “Do you need help with anything?” 

            “No, I think I have it handled, thank you.” Dreamweaver responded, turning back towards the Pegasus with a smile. “Good night Flashback.” She gently nudged the canine beside her before heading into her room. She smiled as she walked around the room, seeing how much space she had to work with. After a few laps around the room she finally settled down on the bed. All she had to do now was set up her room for business, but that could wait till tomorrow. Dreamweaver let out a yawn as she allowed her head to rest on the pillow and permitted herself to fall asleep. 

             

            Over the next couple of weeks Dreamweaver started to pull in a little business, mostly curious ponie. Some were understandably skeptical of her talent but those that stayed were impressed. Word soon began to spread around Clydesdale about this new pony that explained their dreams and helped stop their nightmares by dealing with things in their everyday lives. Dreamweaver was especially pleased that she was having genuine business and that she got to use her talent to help the ponies in her new home. 

            “Thank you so much, Miss Dreamweaver, I’ll be sure to change up my recipe. I’ll bring by a batch of cookies later for you if you want.” A Pegasus stallion offered as he walked down the stairs into the photography shop. 

            “That’s quite alright; the cookie you brought was more than enough for me Snicker Doodle. Thank you though, and remember if you have any more problems you can come right back.” Dreamweaver called as he headed out the door. 

            “I will! Thank you once again!” He called before he closed the door to the shop and headed off down the street. Dreamweaver smiled as the satisfied customer left the shop. Her ears turned slightly, listening for the sounds of her roommate in the shop.  

            “Flashback, are you here?” she called. “I need a little help cleaning up the room before my next client shows if that’s alright. Flashback?” 

Dreamweaver was met with silence as her ears swiveled around. Nights wandered over to a sheet covering a door behind the counter and barked. Dreamweaver followed after the canine slowly. 

            “Is she back here girl?” She asked as she moved the sheet aside and opened the door. “Flashback? Are you in here?” 

Once more she was met with silence. Dreamweaver shrugged and closed the door and let the sheet fall back into place.  

“I guess she isn’t home right now.” She muttered to herself as she nudged the black Labrador to take her back upstairs. Dreamweaver went back to her room and began to get it ready for the next client. 

  

A few hours later, around sunset Dreamweaver was in the middle of a session with another client. The filly was just starting to explain their dream to the earth pony when an ear piercing scream was heard from down stairs. 

“What in Equestria?” Dreamweaver asked as she stood and looked towards the door. 

“I-I can come back,” the timid filly offered as she quickly got up and sprinted out the door. 

“No it’s okay I’m-“Dreamweaver started, but the filly was already gone. She sighed and headed out the door and headed down stairs with Nights. The canine whined as the sounds of frantic shuffling and muttering were heard coming from that back room. 

“No! This can’t be happening! I must be dreaming! Oh Celestia let me be dreaming!” Flashback’s anxious voice cried as she paced inside the room. 

“Flashback what’s going on?” Dreamweaver asked as she approached the door way.  

“My dark room! Someone let light into the dark room and ruined all of my photos!” Flashback cried as she rushed out the room. 

“Dark room?” 

“It’s a room with little light because the photos are sensitive to light, and they need to develop in the dark room.” 

“Oh. I didn’t know that, where is this dark room?” 

“Right here! Right behind me! You- You let light into the dark room didn’t you?!” 

Dreamweaver’s ears fell as she looked towards Flashback. 

            “I didn’t mean to, I was just trying to find you and I thought you might have been in there,” she admitted quietly. 

            “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! I can’t retake those photos! Those photos were this month’s rent and groceries! What am I going to do now! This is all your fault!” Flashback yelled furiously at the blind pony. “You’re, you’re worse than a thief! You’re a saboteur!” 

            Dreamweaver’s eyes began to fill with tears as she backed away from the manic pony. 

            “I-” she whimpered before closing her eyes and running out the door, Nights close beside her. The blue pony wept as she ran down the street, across the river and into one of the orchards. She let out a yelp as she tripped over a rock and tumbled down a small hill. Nights barked and whimpered as she ran to her owner’s side, licking her face in concern. Dreamweaver slowly curled up there and sobbed. 

            “If only I had known, this wouldn’t have happened, if I hadn’t come here, this wouldn’t have happened, if only, if only I wasn’t blind!” She cried to nopony in particular. It wasn’t much longer before the blue earth pony slipped into a deep sleep in the orchard. 

  

            “Momma my eyes hurt,” a young filly whined. 

            “I know my little one I know. Don’t rub your eyes it’ll only make it worse,” a mare cooed softly as the young filly continued to whine and squirm. Dreamweaver sighed to herself as she sat down. She knew this memory. This was one of the last things she remembered seeing before she had lost her sight as a filly. The doctor would be in any moment now, only to say there was nothing that could be done. Her mother would wail and beg the doctor for something to save her child’s sight. Dreamweaver sat back as she watched the familiar scene play out. It always played out like this. There was never a variation. 

            “A tragedy for one so young to be deprived of their sight,” an unfamiliar voice stated from behind her. Dreamweaver’s ears turned towards the older mare’s voice, but only found a blurry shape from where the voice had come from. 

            “Who’s there?” she asked confused. The dream had never strayed from its set path before. 

            “Calm yourself my little pony. I only come to help,” the mare offered. “I am Princess Luna, I come to aid you in your struggles. You have struggled for a long time without your sight.” 

            “Princess it is an honor for you to meet me in your realm,” Dreamweaver stated as she stood and bowed in the direction of the Princess of the Night. She let out a sigh as she turned towards the scene once more. 

            “Princess with all due respect, isn’t there some other pony who needs you more than I do?” She asked cautiously. 

            “I have seen you have this dream many times before. You know the reason for your dream, yet you do not seek to end your suffering. It was time I stepped in to lend a helping hoof,” Princess Luna stated as she watched the earth pony. 

            “I know the reason for my dream but I do not see a solution Princess. I have tried to find a solution but I cannot find one,” Dreamweaver sighed as she tore her gaze from the only sight she could have. “The only thing I can think of is the return of my sight, but that’s impossible. None of the doctors can return my sight. My mother tried, and as did I when I became older,” 

            “You believe the return of your sight will solve your problems Dreamweaver?” Princess Luna asked. Dreamweaver paused for a moment. 

            “I’m not sure Princess,” she admitted. 

            “Then allow me to offer you this. I can return your sight to you. But you must be quick with your decision; by tomorrow night I will be unable to grant you this gift,” The Princess offered as voice began to fade. “Choose wisely.” 

            “Princess Luna?” Dreamweaver called as everything began to go back to the familiar darkness. 

  

            Dreamweaver woke with a start as Nights began to bark at her. Dreamweaver groaned as she slowly began to stand, wiping her eyes. She could feel the sun’s rays on her coat as it rose up over the mountains. Nights whined and pawed at her. She nuzzled the dog gently. 

            “Come on girl, we better get back,” she muttered as the dog happily began to lead her off back towards Flashback’s shop and her home. It didn’t take her very long to return to the shop. She quietly slipped inside, hoping to avoid Flashback for the time being. She had enough on her mind, what with the Princess’s offer. The shop was oddly quiet as Dreamweaver slipped inside. There didn’t seem to be anypony around at all as she headed up stairs and into her room. She sat down on one of the cushions and gently pet Nights as she lay beside her. 

            “What do you think I should do Nights?” she asked the canine as her hoof ran through her black fur. “Why am I having such trouble deciding on what to do? I should be jumping at the chance to have my sight back.” 

Dreamweaver sat there for a few hours, thinking over her dream continuously trying to decide. She was sure she could take it at face value, there didn’t seem to be any other explanation she could find. It wasn’t till she heard the bell down stairs that signaled ponies were in the shop that she was brought back to reality. The voices of ponies could be heard coming up the stairs into the apartment. 

            “I can’t believe you blew up at her like that!” Inkblot growled as she stormed into the apartment. “And you called her such an awful thing! It’s not like she did it on purpose Flashback!” 

            “I know! I feel horrible about it! I spent all night trying to find her and she’s just nowhere to be found!” Flashback whined. “I didn’t mean to I was just so angry. I panicked and I took it out on her, and now she’s gone.” 

            “I don’t blame her,” Inkblot grumbled. “You need to get out there and find her before something happens to her, cause if something does, it’s your fault!” 

Dreamweaver cautiously walked over to the door and opened it, causing both of the other ponies to jump and look at her. 

            “Dreamweaver!” They both explained and rushed the earth pony, hugging her tightly. 

            “Oh thank Celestia you’re okay! You are okay aren’t you? I’m so sorry for yesterday I was heartless and rude and mean and-“ Flashback rambled as tears formed in her eyes 

            “Girls, I can’t really breathe,” Dreamweaver gasped. The two let her go and looked at her. Dreamweaver looked down towards the floor and pawed at it slightly. 

            “I’m, I’m really sorry for ruining your photos Flashback I’ll do whatever I can to make up for the costs. I’m sorry I ran off like that and didn’t come back,” she said quietly. 

            “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have said those horrible things to you. There is no excuse for the way I acted,” Flashback replied and put a hoof on Dreamweaver’s shoulder. “Please forgive me for my rudeness.” 

Dreamweaver hesitated for a moment before smiling slightly and nodding her head. 

            “I forgive you if you can forgive me,” She grinned and hugged the Pegasus. Inkblot smiled and hugged them both, glad that things had been resolved. Dreamweaver eventually let the sepia toned pony go as the bell downstairs rang with somepony walking through the door.  

            “Um, I’m looking for the dream pony?” the timid voice of a filly rang out into the empty shop. Dreamweaver smiled. 

            “Looks like I better get to work.” She chuckled as she went to go meet her client. 

  

            Dreamweaver sat herself down on the cushion across the table from the colt from the day before. The little Colt fidgeted across from her. 

            “First off, I’d like to apologize for the interruption yesterday,” Dreamweaver stated. “Second, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dreamweaver and I interpret dreams.” 

            “It’s okay. I’m Warden. So, how does this work? Do you read my mind?” the filly asked. Dreamweaver chuckled. 

            “No nothing like that. This is how we do this. You tell me everything you remember about your dream, no details spared. Please remember that none of this is concrete fact and is only one interpretation to what was seen in your subconscious.” Dreamweaver explained.  

            “Oh okay then. So, what I remember is that it started in the middle of this big open field, like the ones across the river. These rose buds hadn’t bloomed yet, and they were being attacked by these other plants. They were dying, and then this big blooming rose pops up out of nowhere and all the other plants shriveled up and died, leaving the rose buds, and slowly they started blooming. After that I woke up. That’s all I can remember,” she explained. Dreamweaver paused for an instant, thinking over the information for a moment before relaxing. 

            “Are you ready for my interpretation of what I think your dream is trying to tell you?” she asked. 

            “I am.” Warden replied quietly. 

            “I believe the rose buds that haven’t bloomed, are your friends at school, they are having trouble with something in their lives. The big blooming rose is you. You can help your friends with their troubles somehow.” Dreamweaver stated. Warden stared at her for a moment. 

            “That’s it? Really? That simple?” she asked curiously. Dreamweaver nodded. 

            “That simple,” Dreamweaver replied as the clattering of bits on the table could be heard. 

            “Okay then. Thank you Miss Dreamweaver,” she called before heading out of the room and leaving the apartment. 

            “You’re welcome Warden,” Dreamweaver called as she put the bits away. She walked out of the room with Nights. Inkblot and Flashback were around the table talking. Inkblot glanced over at Dreamweaver as she walked out. 

            “Dreamweaver, we’re going out to lunch would you like to join us? My treat,” Inkblot offered. Dreamweaver nodded and grinned. The unicorn smiled as she stood and headed out with the other two for lunch. 

             

            It was about sunset when the three ponies walked back towards the shop. Warden was waiting outside of the shop. 

            “There she is mom!” The young filly exclaimed and started to run over to Dreamweaver.  The three ponies stopped and looked towards the filly as she ran over and hugged Dreamweaver. 

            “I did what you said! I stood up to the bullies at my school, and helped my friends, and I earned my cutie mark!” she squealed happily. Dreamweaver smiled down at her. 

            “Well congratulations then, Warden.” She chuckled as the filly hugged her once more. 

“I just wanted to say thanks before I headed home so, thank you!” she giggled before turning. “See you around Miss Dreamweaver!” 

Dreamweaver smiled as she heard the filly dash off down the street. 

“I suppose I better get home myself before the stars fall and destroy the town,” Inkblot yawned. “Good night you two.” 

“Good night Inkblot. We’ll start brainstorming some more tomorrow.” Flashback called as the cream unicorn walked off towards her home. The two remaining ponies and canine walked into the shop and headed straight up to the apartment. Flashback looked back at Dreamweaver as she hesitated in the entryway to the apartment. 

“What’s up Dreamweaver? You’re still not down about yesterday are you?” she asked. Dreamweaver shook her head as she walked into the living room, her eyes gazing down towards the floor. 

“No it’s not that. It’s just the dream I had last night,” Dreamweaver started as she took a seat on the couch. “It was really different.” 

“Different dreams can be fun to hear about. So spill!” Flashback smiled as she jumped up onto the couch and laid down, looking at the earth pony  impatiently. Dreamweaver smiled as she began to tell Flashback about her dream, how it had started out as a recurring dream, only to have the Princess of the Night herself appear and have her offer to return her sight. When she finished Flashback was wide eyed. 

“Oh my gosh that would be so cool if you got your sight back!” she giggled as she stood and jumped on the couch. “I mean you could actually help me with my work, we could take photos, we could go to the movies, and we could do so many other cool things!” 

Dreamweaver looked in her general direction as the Pegasus jumped on the couch excitedly. She smiled slightly. 

“Actually Flashback, I don’t think I want my sight back. I have seen more in the world than I would have been able to see with my sight. I help ponies every day with things they cannot understand, and I am only able to do so because I do not have my sight. In my case, I think my sight would be a hindrance. I would be distracted in what I was seeing, I would not be able to see the meaning behind what was seen. I see now that my blindness is my strength, and I would not be the pony I am today if I had my sight.” She explained. Flashback ceased her jumping and looked down at the earth pony as her words sunk in. 

“You have a good point. Where most ponies see a disability, you found a gift. Without your ability to see, you can see what things mean,” Flashback replied. Dreamweaver nodded as she stifled a yawn. 

“Exactly. It’s getting pretty late though. We best get to bed,” the blue pony offered as she slipped off the couch. 

“You’re right. There’s a lot to do tomorrow. Good night Dreamweaver. See you in the morning. Oh, and if you ever want to talk again about stuff, let me know,” Flashback grinned as she got off the couch before heading off to her room. 

“Good night Flashback, and I will,” Dreamweaver called as she glided into her room. She lay down on her bed and exhaled with a smile. Tonight was the start of a new beginning for Dreamweaver. Tonight there was a new outlook on her life, to always value the strength she was fortunate to obtain. She let out a yawn as she laid her head on her pillow and began to drift off to give the Princess her answer.  +)��"�>