//------------------------------// // Contrast // Story: Bonding by Contrast // by Foxy Socks //------------------------------// The day was a comfortable one. One where it felt like a blanket had been draped over you, that the temperature and humidity was just right. These days were not always common, as the temperature had to be right, and it had to rain just enough the day before. Still, it wasn't too uncommon on summer afternoons, and Stellar Night and Honey Suckle both enjoyed it. "These are the best kinds of days. These and rainy days of course," said a gleeful Honey. "You actually like those days? I find them quite boring and lame if you ask me. Too depressing," replied Stellar. "Oh, I just like them. There's nothing wrong with being inside from time to time, and it is quite relaxing to listen to, especially with your eyes closed. You should try that next time, Stell." "Perhaps, but I prefer sunny, joyful days." Honey had decided to show her friend around the places she frequented that day, introducing her to her friends. Of course, with Stellar's hood on and Honey just calling her 'Stell,' her other friends didn't notice anything. She had started introducing 'Stell' a few days ago. "You have such wonderful friends Honey, I wish I could say the same," Stellar said regretfully. "Oh Stell, you don't have to worry, you're already making more right now! As long as you have me, you'll never run out." Stellar stayed silent for a while, waiting to be in a more private area before continuing. "But they don't know who I really am! They don't know I'm some Night Pony; that I don't belong." "I know, I wish I could see your family too, they seem nice." "They won't be so nice if they find out who you are. Besides, you've never met them." The two ceased the conversation as they walked into a crowd. The area was surrounded by many restaurants, and the lingering scent of food filled the area. "Let's sit down for a moment, I'm tired," Honey said. She and Stellar sat down on a nearby bench on the corner of a sidewalk. From there they both could see the opposite buildings. Nopony else sat with them. They both idly chatted about things that would give Stellar away. After a few minutes they became bored, then tired. The fatigued ponies had been walking for the past two hours with few breaks, and naturally dozed off. Honey tried to stay awake as she didn't want to be late with Stellar, but she soon fell asleep. The two of them just peacefully slept on the bench next to each other, just glad they could be friends. Seemingly out of nowhere, a presence emerged. Stellar was the first to notice, slowly opening her eyelids. She was looking at an orange coated blue maned pegasus stallion. Their cute mark was of a city with multiple rays emitting from it. The stallion unknown to Stellar had a curious, yet surprised look, as if he had known whom he was looking at. He was not looking at Stellar. Stellar realized he must have known Honey, so she shook her awake frantically. While Stellar was shaking Honey, the stallion began speaking. "I haven't seen you with my daughter before. What would somepony like you have to do with her?" The question was directed at Stellar, who froze. She realized her hat had fallen into her lap, exposing her colors. Before she could do anything, Honey jumped, saying, "Dad! How did you find me here? What do you mean somepony like her?" "I think it is quite obvious. Her coloration is of a Night pony, one who only causes trouble for our family," the stallion said. He then turned to Stellar. "You belong to them, correct?" Stellar could have attempted to lie and say she was not from there and that she was just night colored just by chance, but she didn't think it would work. Besides that, she hated lying to another pony's face. "Y...yes I am sir. What's wrong with that?" She squeaked. "I am Radiant Reflection, and you know well that your family are troublemakers, getting in the way of our family's business. I do not want you to be around my family any more. Leave now and do not try to sneak back." Both Stellar and Honey were distraught. What was a perfect friendship had been severed. "Also, I have told your family about this, so do not expect to have it easy there either," continued Radiant. The ponies who could hear part of the conversation gave the two sympathetic looks, wanting to help. One was a shopkeeper stallion who knew Honey quite well, walking up. The shopkeeper said, "That's a pathetic reason for destroying a friendship. They don't look look they are causing trouble to me. Night ponies never caused trouble, nor have any Day ponies except for you just now. You-" "I don't care to speak to others about this, and you can be sure to not expect my daughted to speak with you or anypony else not family for a long time." Radiant then dragged Honey off, leaving Stellar alone with the shopkeeper. Stellar was alone again. It was a chilling, depressing thought. "My only friend is gone," she said quietly. She had tears stream down her face. "You don't know anypony else?" the shopkeeper asked. "No, well other than my family, my parents don't allow me with others, even around the same area. They said I didn't need friends with how I am living. I worried this may happen, and now my parents will be out here soon to fond me." "I could be one of your friends. My name is Simplicity. As the name suggests, I am quite a simple pony." "Really?" Stellar asked with little enthusiasm, though there was more than a moment ago. "Indeed, my family has had the dame line of jobs for a while. I never had anything against either of your families, but it infuriates me to see them treat you both like that. You know, most of the Day and Night ponies I see don't have much against each other. It may not be my place, but your parents may both be bad influences on them. I suggest you find out why." "Thanks, but I really need to go." "Come by if you ever need help." "I appreciate it, but I don't think I'll ever be by here again." Stellar got up, and left toward her section. Halfway there, she met up with her mother, Duskglide, and her father, Silhouette. They did not show much emotion, but they were definitely not pleased. "How disappointing it is to find you here. We nearly had to go into, the other corner..." said Nightglide. "Agreed, we are not to see you anywhere like this ever again, and you can be sure being outside will be something you won't be doing for a long time," added Silhouette. "Why don't you like them?!" Stellar blurted out, hoping to get a better answer. "We don't need anything to do with Celestia's guard. We are fine on our own. They are just a distraction to us," replied Duskglide. "That is enough for now, come with us." Stellar had no other choice, so she went along with them. "Come on! It's not fair that you keep me from other ponies!" "Honey Suckle, I am fine with you having friends, but of all the ponies you had to choose, Stellar was then wrong choice," Petal Glow said. "Stellar didn't do anything! I don't see why you have to be against her!" Honey stormed off, walking outside. She wasn't allowed to go far away from the house, so she sat down in the grass in the front garden. She just sat there, thinking of Stellar, thinking how she could have been part of the Night ponies, now alone. She imagined Stellar felt similar. She jumped up when she noticed another pony was next to her. They were a colt about her age, who had a cyan coat with tan in their mane and tail. Honey recognized him as Rushing River. Despite his name, he was a quiet, calm pony. His cutie mark resembled that, with a calm pond with a gentle creek flowing into it. "I don't understand them either. Most of us don't have anything against Night ponies. I never did." Honey sighed. "Yeah I know. I wish they could understand us. They seem to think this is what Princess Celestia wants, and it's not." "You think she knows? The Princess I mean? She certainly wouldn't be okay with this," asked Rushing River. "She is too busy, which is understandable. Perhaps everpony is worried about upsetting mother and don't bother. I wish I could..." Honey paused, suddenly as an idea manifested within her mind. "Do it myself... Perhaps I can." "What do you mean?" "Hey, Rushing, do you think you could help me? I think I may have a plan. It is very risky, but I need you to help." Rushing considered, but he needed to know more, so he asked. "Well..." began Honey, as she proceeded to inform Rushing of the details. After he heard it he hesitated, but then nodded. "It's risky, but perhaps. I really want to to something, and besides... you're my first friend."