//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Finding Inspiration // by bahatumay //------------------------------// Hearts and Hooves Day. The worst day of the year, closely followed by Mares’ Day. Hearth’s Warming Eve wasn’t that great, either. Come to think of it, there were many days that Morning Glory didn’t like. But Hearts and Hooves day took the cake. Usually, she celebrated this day by staying in bed and ignoring everything, and if she were feeling really upset, stomping around and stoning any couples who strayed too far into her path. Bonus points if they had been looking for an intimate spot. Even more points if they'd (thought they'd) found one. But this year was different. This year… Well, it was stupid. Really stupid. He wasn't really her special somepony. It was all teasing and play. It wasn't like it could go anywhere. She was a monster, an unholy combination of animals that never should have existed. He was an author, and it sounded like he was getting back onto fertile ground. Last time she'd peeked through his window, he'd been typing feverishly on his typewriter, probably hard at work on his next big novel that would also be a grand success. But for some reason, she found herself making the journey into town. Her tattered cloak was on and her hood was pulled tightly around her head, and her snakes weren't terribly pleased with the arrangement. She walked slowly, almost paranoid that she was going to be recognized. Shouts of ‘Gorgony!’ would be what it started with; mobs with torches and pitchforks would follow soon after… She shook her head, prompting another disgruntled hissing from her snakes tucked under her hood. It would probably be fine. Eventually, she arrived at the Happy Hooves Hotel. She slid through the door and peeked around the pillar. There he was! Eating breakfast at a table, his back towards her. She watched from the shadows, unwilling to go into public just yet. She hadn't been in town in forever, and she had no desire to be spotted. She'd wait. She saw another mare come up, one with a light blue coat. She started an easy conversation with Wind Shear, and Morning Glory once again cursed her poor hearing. She had no idea what she was saying, catching only bits and pieces of their conversation. Her hackles raised slightly as he chuckled at something she'd said. And the the blue mare gave him something, and he brightened. It was a heart-shaped cookie. Morning Glory’s heart skipped a beat. No, no, why? How- how could he? How could she?! He took a big bite and grinned up at her. He nodded at her, and was clearly enjoying it. The mare giggled and scuffed a hoof bashfully. White rage welled up within her. This would not stand. This mare had gone too far. Inside her hood, her snakes hissed, unsure what had happened but as eager for action as she was. Their conversation ended, she walked away. Slowly, Morning Glory stalked her prey, keeping out of sight, silently following the mare back behind the counter and into the kitchen. Wind Shear looked up. That had been an abnormally loud thunk. “Happy?” he called. “You ok?” There was no response. He frowned and set his half-eaten cookie down. “Happy?” he called again. His brow furrowed further when he got no answer, and he got up to check. He poked his head through the doorway and gasped. Happy Trails lay on the ground, her face a stone cold mask of surprise. He looked up at the other pony there, panting, but with a triumphant snarl on her face. “Morning Glory?!” he gasped. “She can't have you,” Morning Glory said, shaking her head. “She can't!” “What did you do?” “I took out a rival,” she said. “She should never have tried to take what wasn’t hers!” “What are you talking about?” Wind Shear demanded. He dropped to the ground and pressed a hoof against her neck, but it was to no avail; she was completely stoned. “She was flirting with you! I saw her!” “She-!” Wind Shear grabbed at his mane. “You saw-! She does that to everypony! It's part of her job! It's literally her job! She’s the hostess here!” Morning Glory hesitated for the first time. “But the cookie-” “The special of the day! She's got another batch baking right now! And furthermore, she is in a committed relationship!” “I didn't…” she said, quieter now. “With another mare!” The sound of a plate shattering made them both spin. Another mare stood there, rust-colored with a reddish mane, her hooves held over her mouth in horror. More of those heart cookies were on the floor, scattered amongst the porcelain shards. He pointed at her. “That mare!” The snakes writhed around her head, giving yet another dimension to the guilt and agony contorting her face. Morning Glory bowed her head. She'd done it again! Green Hooves darted over, sobbing, desperately pushing on Happy Trails’ stiff body, as if trying to arouse her from sleep. “No, no…” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks, “please…” And then there was a small cracking sound. Wind Shear looked around, but he couldn't place it. It repeated itself but louder, and it seemed to be coming from below. Greenie heard it, too. Ears flicking, she looked up to see Morning Glory staring intently at Happy Trails. The stone slowly cracked and then crumbled, falling off her body under her gaze. Gray rock gave way to the light blue fur it should have been. “I didn't know that was reversible,” Wind Shear murmured. With a gasp for air, Happy Trails sat up, fully flesh and fur once more, painfully rubbing her head. She panted as if she'd just surfaced from under water. “Greenie?” she asked confusedly, still breathing hard. She rubbed her head. “Ow…” Before anypony could answer, Morning Glory turned and galloped away. She burst through the door and galloped as fast as she could down the street. Ponies stared. Ponies pointed. Ponies shrieked. Ponies fainted. But no matter how hard she ran or how loudly her snakes hissed, the same thought coursed through her mind, unable to be ignored or drowned out. I am a monster.