//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Bitter and Sweet Chills // Story: Bright Winter Nights // by InlustriusGhost //------------------------------// Bright looked out of his living room window, seeing a vast expanse of white covering the land, reaching as far as the distant sugarloaf mountains that encircled Ponyville. A heavy pour of powder coated the land in this icy blanket throughout the night and with the weather suddenly much colder than the last couple days, Bright had to dress himself in a warm, bulky jacket, as well as a blue beanie. It was far too cold for simply a scarf now. “It really came down last night, Ivory.” He marveled. “I know. It looks like about a foot of snow out there.” Ivory replied with the tip of her hoof tapping her chin. She phased through the wall of the warm home and dove, headfirst, into the ice and slush. Bright quickly lost track of his friend, since her ghostly white coat and very pale blue mane blended in extremely well with the whiteness outside. Then after a moment, Ivory popped her head out from under the floorboards. “Yep! Definitely a foot!” Bright jumped a bit from her sudden emergence then gave a short laugh. “I’ve never seen this much snow before...It’s kind of exciting! Makes you wanna be a foal and jump right into the snow to make snow pegasi!” It was a tempting thought. It never snowed at Bright’s previous home. The closest flurry was relegated to the nearby mountain range. “I’ll bet! But you’ll need to get out the door first.” Ivory reminded. She turned and looked towards the closet near the kitchen and, with the force of her will, opened it and out fell a snow shovel. Bright turned at the sound of the clatter it made. “Huh? Oh! Right!” He remembered. Stepping forwards, he picked it up with his levitation. He saw a small tag tied to the handle that read “From Dad”. Bright smiled, thinking back to nearly a week ago: the day before he moved… The afternoon sun was glistening through the windows of the Sight household. It was still mildly warm, like a fresh spring day, even though it was a week into December. Bright’s bedroom was all but bare, save for a naked mattress, a dresser and a closet that was nearly empty. Only a few clothes and belongings remained. Just one more thing and I can seal this box up. Bright thought, looking down at his last package. “You know, it’ll be much colder in Ponyville than it is here during the winter.” At the door of the bedroom was a pegasus stallion with Bright’s likeness. His blue coat was a few shades darker and his deep brown mane almost jutted forwards from his head, except for one crop that curved over his face like a boomerang. His slightly taller size suggested he was older than Bright and his flank was emblazoned with a burning icy comet. “I know, Dad. I went shopping for some warmer clothes yesterday, so I’d say I’m prepared.” Bright assured while patting his hoof on another box he had sealed up with “Winter Clothes” written with permanent marker. “Well, not quite. You’re going to get a lot of snow, so I got you something that should help.” Comet turned and trotted over to his bedroom for a moment before returning, carrying a large shovel under his wing. “Oh, great!” Bright grinned, taking the shovel with his magic and examining it. “I’ll need to dig myself out of the new place if it snows too hard. Thanks, Dad.” He propped the shovel against the wall and wrapped his hooves around Comet for a hug. “I hope it comes in handy, son…” Comet pulled his head back and looked at Bright, his foal, now a remarkable young stallion. He gave a short chuckle. “Look at you. My starry-eyed colt, ready to take on the world. Dear Luna, you’ve grown so much.” Comet’s sea blue eyes burned, tears threatening to fall while the corners of his mouth started to make a shaky bittersweet smile. “Aw, Dad, don’t start the waterworks now! I’m not even leaving yet!” Bright laughed to delay the inevitable onslaught of emotions. He wasn’t quite ready for it yet. Comet shared in the laughter, using a fetlock to wipe his eye as he took a calming breath. “I know...It’s just hard to believe that it’s already time to let you go again. Feels like just yesterday I was seeing you off for Canterlot...” Bright leaned more against his father, craning his neck around Comet’s. “Ponyville won’t be much farther. I’ll only be a train ride away. I’ll still send you letters often and I’ll invite you over on your time off.” He promised. “If I didn’t have to go to Prance for the High Province Astronomy Conference, you know I’d spend the holidays with you.” Comet sighed while spreading his left wing and wrapping it around Bright’s back, holding him snug. Bright tightened the embrace. “I’ll be fine, Dad. There’ll always be next year.” Then, his eye was caught by the last thing he wanted to pack: a photo frame sitting on his drawer. Bright brought the frame closer with his aura and smiled as he shared the photograph inside with Comet. The moment captured in the photo showed Comet sitting with a beautiful violet unicorn on the rim of a large grand fountain, set in what looked like a colorful garden of many exotic flora. The filly’s deep purple mane looked like it bounced and curled above her face and dropped down her back before curving upwards at the ends. She and Comet were both smiling widely, eyes closed, as if they were laughing together. Comet stared longingly at the mare in the photo before he looked over at Bright. “Is…your mom around? I bet she’d want to tell you a few words too.” “Your father’s right.” Bright set his gaze just past his father and saw his mother, leaning against Comet with her foreleg wrapped around his. “She’s here.” Bright grinned. “Hi, Mom.” Nova smiled in return. Her incorporeal body lifted off the ground and drifted before Bright so that she could face him. “It’s hard to believe it’s already time for you to go off on your own, Bright. I’m sure you’ll be happy in Ponyville. You’ll meet new friends and see thousands of stars every night, like you always dreamed of.” She looked into her son’s heterochromatic eyes, attempting to cup his cheeks with her phantasmic hooves. Bright felt nothing and the look on his face whispered a thousand griefs. His eyes stung a bit. “You’ll come and haunt me sometimes, won’t you?” He asked. His voice trembled a bit. Nova pursed her lips, stepping an inch towards Bright before she stopped. Perhaps, she wanted to give him a kiss. “Of course I will, Bright. It’s hard to leave your dad’s side, but whenever I can, I’ll see you…” Nova shifted her gaze towards Comet. He had a thousand mile stare, searching the area Bright was looking. He wanted desperately to see even a shadow of her presence. “Tell Comet it’s time for him to find somepony new. He’s going to feel lonely without you.” Bright turned his head to Comet. “Mom says it’s time to find a marefriend.” Comet gave a short laugh. “Alright. I suppose it has been long enough...Maybe too long. It wouldn’t hurt to see if I still got that charm.” He said as he brushed his brown mane with a fetlock. Bright looked back down at the photograph in his hooves and packed it away into his box. Then he looked up at both of his parents. The weight of the present finally set down on him. Bright was an adult now and he was leaving his home, going out on his own. There would be a great distance between him and the ponies he always felt safe with and the thought was terrifying. Still, he knew that he was ready to leave. It was the right time. “I’m going to miss you both. So much.” Bright bit his lip. The waterworks started to flood. He wrapped his hooves around his father, hugging him tightly. Tears began to river down his cheeks. Comet instantly hugged him back, wishing to hold onto his little colt forever. The two of them were surrounded in a gentle warmth provided by Nova’s ghostly embrace. “Don’t forget to send a letter to your dad and thank him for this shovel.” Ivory reminded. Bright was snapped out of his reminiscing and lifted his head to attention. “Oh, yeah! Of course! Anyway, I should start shoveling the snow before I become tardy for work.” With his tool at the ready, he approached and unlocked the front door. After opening, he was greeted with a step of snow a foot tall that covered his lawn and buried his path to the main road four yards away. Bright made sure to check that his jacket was zipped up tight and his beanie was snug on his head. Better get started. He thought. The whimsical chime of unicorn magic sounded as a stack of books was lifted from the ground and neatly arranged on a shelf twenty-five feet high. Bright clung to a bookshelf ladder, deeply focused on placing each individual tome where it belonged while also careful not to drop the rest of the stack. Finally, when all the books he had were organized, he slid down the ladder back to the ground. “Whew! Those are all the non-fictions. Now we can start stacking the encyclopedias.” Bright sighed as he looked over a pile of books that was not as appealing to the eye as a proper stack. Ivory emerged from under another pile, barely disturbing any of the pages with more than a simple flip of the hard covers. “I found a few volumes and I did my best to separate them from the mess.” She said, pointing her hoof at a few scattered reference guides about alchemy strewn about the floor, separate from the rest. Bright smiled graciously. “Thanks, Ivory. You’re a big help.” He picked up each of the books, scanning their hardback covers and arranging them in a new stack by order of volume. Ivory dove back into her pile to search out any more encyclopedias. Looking back at his work over the last few days, Bright was a bit baffled at how much he and Twilight had finished. With how the shelves circled around the walls of the library, they were about three quarters finished filling them. There were quite a number of genres that they had divided all the books into as well: biographies, history, fiction, mystery, and so much more, all resting between the crystalline pillars that supported the room. The sound of a book dropping to the floor caused Bright to turn his head back to Ivory. She had her upper body submerged in the books while her flank stuck out of the pile, her hind legs flailing around as she searched. Bright chuckled to himself. Ten years and she was still as much of a goofball as she was when they had first met. It was curious though. Ivory was Bright’s best friend, yet he knew almost nothing about her when she was alive. It’s not that he didn’t try asking, but it was more a matter of if her mind was in the right place. “Hey, Ivory?” Bright called. She popped her head out of the books. “Yeah, Bright?” He picked up the couple new tomes Ivory had picked out of the pile and had them ordered with the stacked ones. “Do you remember anything new about your old life?” He asked. Ivory pondered the question for a moment. She rested on top of her bed of books with a hoof on her cheek as she looked up to the ceiling, deep in thought. “Hmm...There was something,” Ivory’s memory was tricky to decipher. In the best of times, they were just brief flashes of simple moments. “It was...a feeling. It was a nice one! I think there was one night when I was lying down on a bed of flowers. It was so soft and comfy,” She grinned as she rolled onto her back, hugging herself from the blissful thought. “I think they were...white calla lilies, because I remember how they smelled.” “That sounds wonderful.” Bright smiled. “Yeah...Bright?” Ivory rubbed her forelegs together. “Do you think I’ll ever remember how...how I died?” “Maybe someday,” Bright answered as he finished a new stack. “Why do you ask?” Ivory rose from the ground as she rolled right-side up again. “Because other ghosts we meet remember mostly everything about their lives. I don’t know why I can’t,” She looked down at the ground before taking a deep inhale. “Bright, I want to know who I was! It’s so frustrating seeing other ponies live their lives when I can’t even recall my favorite pastime or what I ate for lunch on any day of my life. I want to remember every good and bad day!” She began to pace around in the air, growing more and more aggravated. “What did I mean to other ponies? Who was my family? Who did I love? Did I die happy? Bright, why can’t I remember!?” The crystal chandelier above, as well as the desk lamps around the library, flickered and surged with Ivory’s distress. “Hey! Hey, Ivory, don’t you worry about it,” Bright assured with a soothing softness in his tone. “I’m sure that there will be someday when you’ll be able to recall everything about yourself.” Ivory sat suspended in the air, curled up with her legs close to her body, hiding her muzzle behind her forelegs. “...No joke?” Her voice was reduced to a barely audible squeak. “I mean it,” Bright nodded with a gentle smile. “You’re remembering little things now. Plus, you’ve got all the time in the world. There’s no need to-“ The library doors opened and in came Twilight, with Spike following closely beside her. Both of them were carrying various shopping bags filled with blank posters and banners. “We’re back, Bright!” She greeted. Bright immediately silenced himself. His body tensed up to the stiffness of granite and his ears folded flat behind his head. “H-Hey there, Twilight! Hey, Spike!” He feigned enthusiasm from their sudden arrival. Bright glanced over to the side, seeing Ivory covering her mouth with her hooves, looking back at Bright. “I’ll get out of your mane!” She nodded before flying off, disappearing into another chamber in the castle through a wall. Twilight scanned the whole library, seeing the newly-filled shelves and grinning ear to ear at their progress. “Wow! Amazing job organizing the books! You’ve done a lot in the time we’ve been gone, Bright.” Bright gave a short anxious chuckle. “Heh. Thanks. I try!” Twilight looked around the room. Her delighted demeanor shifted into slight confusion. She lifted a brow. “Was there no one else here with you?” “No…Why do you ask…?” Bright could feel a drop of sweat beading down the side of this face. “We thought we heard you talking with somepony before we came in.” Spike chimed in as he tossed the bags he was carrying onto a nearby desk. “Ha! That? I-I’m just guilty of talking to myself from time to time.” He lied. It wasn’t the first time he had to explain himself, but it certainly never got any easier for him. “I admit that it helps me focus if I give myself a little pep talk.” “Oh! Well, that’s nothing to be ashamed about, Bright. Everypony has their little ticks.” Twilight assured. “Yeah! You should listen to Twilight go on and on about Gallopleo’s invention of the first telescope. She can give a whole lecture in her sleep!” Spike added, pulling out a comic book from one of the shopping bags. Twilight chuckled sheepishly with a light blush on her cheeks. “That only happened once,” She murmured softly before quickly changing the subject. “Anyway! We should have enough posters to put up all over town Everypony will know about the library’s grand opening on Monday.” “Do you need me to help design and paint them?” Bright asked. “That won’t be necessary, Bright. I’ve already asked Pinkie Pie to make the posters and the banner. For now, we can just finish organizing and shelving the rest of the books.” Twilight said, trotting over to one of the book piles. “Alright then! Let’s do it!” Bright determinedly nodded. That evening, Bright was cantering down the same road through Ponyville leading back home. He was somewhat familiar with the landmarks on the way back at this point. Snow was falling, a bit less than a flurry, but enough that Bright had to keep himself bundled in his jacket and beanie. The street lamps were lit and their warm light against the dark grey sky was a pleasing sight to him. It just felt very...cozy. Ponies chattered all around as their hooves crunched in the slush. Some fillies and colts laughed and played, taking turns pushing each other on their sleds. Yuletide songs filled the air as Bright passed the fountain in the square. A group of carolers were singing Hearth’s Warming tunes signaling the incoming holiday. Hearth’s Eve just was a week away. Such a festive place would fill anypony with spirit. Bright smiled, reminiscing to previous Hearthmases, thinking about his family and how they’d get together every year. He always loved the holiday season and the good times that came with it, though this was his first year without any of his relatives near. I guess...not everypony can be with family sometimes. He thought, beginning to feel something in his chest sink, like he was ill. Bright stopped where he was and took a deep breath. The cold, yet fresh, air filled his lungs and cleared away some of his worry. He continued his walk, entering the marketplace. Compared to the square, the market was quieter, as there were not as many stands and vendors open, due to the weather. The near silence was slightly jarring to Bright. Usually, he had Ivory’s company to fill the empty air, but he hadn’t seen her since she left the library. It was unlike her to be away for such a time. He hoped that she’d turn up when he arrived home. “...Howdy.” A deep bass voice pierced through Bright’s train of thought. He looked up and saw Big Macintosh, loading up his cart as he closed the apple stand at the same time he did the past couple days. He was dressed surprisingly light for the cold, only wearing a thin dark green sweater and a red wool scarf. “Oh, hi, Big Mac!” He greeted with a smile. “How was your day?” “Was alright...You feelin’ okay?” He asked, with a raised brow breaking his usually stoic face. “...Y-Yeah...I’m fine.” Bright answered, slightly confused at the question. “Why do you ask?” “Well, ya looked like ya had a lot on yer mind.” Big Mac said as he lifted his last barrel onto his cart. “I was just...thinking about my family and the holidays coming up.” He wasn’t technically lying, though he did avert his eyes away from Big Mac. “Homesick?” “A little.” Bright admitted with a nod. Big Mac stroked his chin with a hoof, then he quickly hooked himself up to his cart before he turned back to Bright. “Follow me.” He said before starting down the road, cargo in tow. Bright tilted his head, hesitating a second, then trotting up next to Mac. “Where are we going?” He asked. “You’ll see.” Big Mac looked over to him and gave a simple smile. Bright was still puzzled, but seeing Mac’s delighted expression assured him that the farmpony only had the best of intentions. Both of them continued down the same path that lead back to their homes, but then after two minutes of walking, Big Mac made a right turn on a street. Not long afterwards, he and Bright stopped in front of a wooden tavern. Bright looked up at a sign hanging on a pole extending towards the street. Rhythm & Brews. Big Mac pulled his cart to the side of the road and unstrapped himself. He walked up to the door and opened it for Bright, gesturing for him to enter first. An inviting light and warmth radiated from the inside. Bright stepped inside and was greeted by the aroma of smooth, rich, roasted coffee beans. The welcoming melody of a jazzy piano came from some speakers that were installed on a small stage near the counter. The walls were painted black, but were decorated with chalk writings, drawings, and some framed photos and magazine covers of some well known musicians and artists. There were a few ponies sitting at the tables around the shop, chattering amongst themselves. Bright was charmed by the atmosphere and he looked back at Big Mac, who closed the door behind him. “Why’d you bring me here?” Bright asked. Mac loosened his scarf. “I wanted to treat ya to a cup of coffee...And, if yer okay with it, I’m willing to lend a listenin’ ear about yer troubles.” Bright’s eyes widened a bit. He was surprised by the kind gesture. “Wow. Thank you...Though, I’m not really much of a coffee drinker, but I’ll take a hot chocolate.” He grinned. Big Mac felt a rise in his chest from seeing Bright’s joy. It was the same feeling he had when he made Applebloom’s fluttering dragonfly toy fly when she was a foal, or when he was showing Applejack how to buck and she made her first apple fall off its branch. It was...satisfying. The coffee and chocolate didn’t take long to be brewed and, in no time, the two were seated at a table for two by the street window with their mugs. Big Mac had to pull his sweater off because the coffee shop was already toasty enough for his liking. Bright kept his jacket on, since the cold weather was something he still hadn’t gotten accustomed to, but he took off his beanie and set it aside on the table. Eager to try his hot chocolate, he lifted his cup with his aura, blew softly to cool it a bit, and took a sip. The brew was warm, smooth, and rich in flavor and after it swirled in his mouth for a bit, Bright could taste sweet, cool peppermint serving as a finisher. “Mmm...That’s some great chocolate.” Bright said, licking some whipped cream that stuck to his upper lip. Setting his mug down, he looked up at Big Mac. It was the first time Bright was able to get good look at him, since usually they met on the dark street at sundown. Big Mac’s red coat almost glowed in the warm light and the freckles on his cheeks were easier to see. What was most surprising was how defined his muscles were. His chest was broad and looked as solid as a boulder and his forelegs were thick, like small tree trunks. Big Mac looked like he could move a whole house on his own. Bright felt his cheeks heat up a tad, though his dark blue fur hid any indication. He darted his eyes away toward the window before he could’ve been considered staring. Then, he remembered why they were sitting down here in the first place. “Um...So…Hearth’s Warming is coming up soon and it’s the first time I’ll have to celebrate without my family close.” Bright started. “I don’t have the bits to take a trip back to Coltifornia after I just moved in and my dad won’t be able to come by for the holidays because he has a conference in Prance to attend.” Big Mac nodded. “Have ya got family only in Coltifornia?” “Not really. I have relatives from all over Equestria, but we usually meet up for Hearth’s at my home. Though, this year, my uncle’s going to host the family in Stagit Valley, since my dad and I aren’t going to be there.” “What about yer mom?” Mac asked. Bright stared at him for a second, then lowered his gaze. His lips tightened and for a brief moment, his expression faltered slightly into a sharp sting of grief. “My mom isn’t around. She died a short time after she gave birth to me.” Big Mac’s eyes widened and his heart sank in his chest. Dang it, Macintosh, ya stupid colt! Ya never know when to jus’ shut up! “Aw, gosh…I’m sorry.” He lowered his head, biting his tongue and staring down at his mug of black coffee. This was why he avoided talking too much. He hated hurting others with whatever nonsense he’d say without thinking. Bright peered back at Big Mac and he just reached a hoof to pat his foreleg. “It’s alright, Big Mac. You didn’t know.” Bright comforted. “Besides, I’ve already made my peace with it.” “I know how much it hurts though,” Big Mac murmured. He lifted his mug with his hoof, taking a gulp of his joe. Bitter and strong, like his father liked it. “...I lost both mah mom and dad when I was a colt.” “...I’m so sorry for your loss.” Bright condoled. Mac nodded and lifted his head, fixing his eyes on Bright. He heaved a heavy sigh and smiled softly at him. “Sorry fer bringing those bad feelin’s back.” He apologized once more, his ears folded back as he looked off out the window, watching the snowfall. Bright shook his head. “Big Mac, it’s fine. Really. It’s healthy to be sad every once in awhile about losing someone. At least I got to know her.” He tensed up and took another sip of his hot chocolate rather quickly after saying that. “Got to know yer mom? How?” Big Mac asked, returning his focus to Bright. “...My dad would tell me a lot of stories about her. About how they met, how they fell in love, how she sounded, how she laughed…” Bright beamed a smile, yet Mac felt there was something a bit off about it, like it was a bit forced. “That’s a fine sentiment.” He responded, believing that he might have offended Bright. He swirled his coffee in his mug while internally cursing himself. An awkward silence fell between the two, being only filled by the jazz played from the stage. Bright could tell that Big Mac was still a bit sour about their conversation going quickly south. He felt a chill run down his spine, as if his body responded to the larger stallion’s mood. He couldn’t let him continue to feel bad about a little thing like this. Bright thought for a moment and remembered something that might lighten the load from Mac’s shoulders. “You know, when I was a little colt, there were some nights when I’d be so sad about my mom being gone that I’d cry. I couldn’t get to sleep, but then my dad would come into my room and he’d let me sleep with him in his bed,” Bright softly beamed from the memory. “He’d tuck me in and then pick up his guitar and sing a special song to me,” He closed his eyes and heard his father’s strumming and his voice singing that somber melody. “That song would always help me fall asleep.” As he listened, Big Mac was reminded about the nights he’d spend sleeping with his sisters and granny after their parents passed on. Those days were tough, but, at least, they mourned together. He was touched that Bright had endured the same. “That’s a beautiful thing, Bright. Yer lucky to have yer dad.” Bright silently chuckled as he looked down at his mug of chocolate, slowly turning it with his hooves. “Yeah…” He decided to finish the rest of his drink. “Anyway, thanks again for bringing me here,” Bright spoke as he grabbed his beanie from the table and stood up from his seat. “...It was really nice to sit down and talk with you.” Big Mac found himself with a great amount of weight lifted from his heart. He had never related with anypony outside of his family about loss, until now. “Eeyup...I think so too.” “Let’s do this again sometime, so long as next time, you let me pay for the drinks.” Bright held out a hoof for a friendly shake. Big Mac smiled as he accepted. “Eeyup. Sure.” He wrapped their fetlocks together and firmly shook once. Something in his chest jumped, but he didn’t know what or why. “I’ll see you later then. Hope you get home safe,” Bright waved before turning and trotting. At the door, he looked once more at Big Mac, and gave him one more smile. “Good night.” Then, he stepped out into the snowy night. “Good night, Bright…” After watching him leave, Big Mac’s insides were tied up in knots. He took a deep breath and sighed, relieving the tension. He hadn’t noticed the feeling until now and he wondered why his heart was beating hard and his cheeks felt warm. The sky was dark as snow continued to fall in an icy gale, nearly burying the road as Bright arrived at his home. Simple breezes were frigid on the exposed parts of his body, feeling like sharp blades tracing his hide. He couldn’t bear two minutes of just walking from town, so he had to break into a gallop to get to warmth quick. His frame trembled as he reached into his saddlebag and dug his house key out, unlocking his front door and rushing inside before shutting the door behind him. “S-Sweet Luna…” Bright shivered, shaking off the snow from his fur. His house wasn’t much warmer, but that wasn’t anything a fire in the pit couldn’t fix. He trotted to the lamp set on the table by the living room sofa and flipped the switch, flooding the house with some light. “Iv-vory? A-Are you h-home?” Bright called out in a frozen stutter while he started on building the fire. “Hey, Bright…” Ivory appeared, drifting through air from up the stairs to the second floor. She sounded glum in her voice and was less than her usual vibrant self. Bright didn’t have to guess why. “You left pretty fast earlier. I missed you the rest of the day.” He mentioned as he built a wood pile over some kindling. “I thought it would be better to not be around while you were working. You know I wouldn’t want you to look like a loon in front of everypony else,” Ivory sprawled herself, belly down, on the sofa, with her head on the arm rest. She let out a silent sigh. “Gosh, my afterlife is so messed up. Why do keep me around, Bright?” Bright lit a match and sparked a flame that he used to light the kindling. The flame began to spread. “Because y-you’re my friend and I care about you.” He answered. “But...is that really enough for you? Is keeping me as your friend really worth exposing yourself?” She worried, gazing at Bright as he gazed back at her. “I just...I remember when you were in school in Canterlot. You got picked on and bullied so much back then just for seeing me and other ghosts. I’d never wish for you to go through that again.” “That’s in the past now, Ivory. I’m not schoolcolt anymore. I can fend for myself.” Bright assured. He walked toward the sofa and sat on his haunches next to Ivory. “Don’t hide yourself from me just because I’m in public. Sure, I can’t talk as freely with you, but I’ll be fine. I promise.” She lifted her head and turned to him. Her face was filled with concern, but when she saw Bright’s expression suddenly twist into a goofy, cross-eyed, puffy-cheeked grin, Ivory laughed. “Ha! Haha! I’m gonna hold you to that promise, Moon Moon!” “Heh. Love you, boo.” Bright lifted his hoof in front of Ivory, to which she responded by pressing her ghostly hoof against it. “Love you, too.” Bright gave a big yawn as walked into his room. His body felt spent and his hooves were barely able to support him. At least he was warmed up from the fire and from his hot meal of steamed bluegrass and roasted oats. Now, he was ready to turn in for the night... That is until Ivory popped her head in from the floor below. “Don’t forget to write your dad, Bright!” She reminded. Bright’s drooping eyes opened up a bit as he recalled that he wanted to thank his father for the shovel. “Oh, right. Thanks, Ivory. Have a good night,” He murmured tiredly. “Good night, sleepyhead,” She giggled as she disappeared under the floorboards. Bright smiled as he walked up to his nightstand and opened the drawer with his aura, pulling out a piece of parchment, a quill, and an inkwell. He climbed onto his bed, lying belly down, and grabbed one of his books sitting on the nightstand to use as support while he wrote. He thought for a moment about how to start, then dipped his quill in the ink before he began scribbling. Dear Dad, Hoping this letter reaches you before you leave for Prance. Things are pretty great so far here in Ponyville. I’m working at Princess Twilight’s castle as a librarian and we’re going to be opening to the public this coming Monday. We’ve been busy as bees shelving all the books she has. Trust me. She has thousands. Bright chuckled internally, then decided to move on to the main reason for the letter. Also, I wanted to thank you again for the snow shovel. I really needed it this morning. We got about foot of snow the previous night. But wow! The outdoors look so beautiful covered in all that crystal white slush. Maybe when you come by later this winter, we could go for a sleigh ride around town. Or we could build an igloo outside the house. He could still feel that inner colt coming out thinking about snow. It was funny. As a pony who grew up without seeing much snow before, being able to experience it in full force was something that made him want to relive his foalhood. He felt a tickle in his throat and cleared it up. I’ve been sort of missing you for the holidays. They’re still a week away, but this is my favorite time of year and I’m just a little down that I won’t be home with you, Uncle Ganymede, Summer Bossa and everypony else. We’ll just have to do something big next year! Bright’s smile faded slightly. He started feeling homesick again, but then he remembered Big Mac and the time they had today. The thought lifted him back up. I think I made a new friend these past few days. His name’s Big Macintosh and he works on the local apple farm. He’s a really nice guy and a great listener. Maybe I’ll introduce you. Bright’s eyelids grew heavy. He wanted to finish before he began to nod off. Then he felt something phlegming up his his throat and he coughed. That woke him a bit. Anyway, hope the conference goes well. I’ll see you in the New Year. I love you. Always your starry-eyed colt, Bright Sight With another yawn signaling his need to sleep, Bright rubbed his eye with a fetlock while he used his magic to leave the ink and quill in the drawer and the letter and book on the nightstand. Then, he dug himself under the covers of his bed, getting comfy and cozy before an uncomfortable tickle ran up his nose. “A-Ah...Ah. AH-CHOO!” He sneezed. Bright sniffled a bit as he rested his head on his pillow. He touched his forehead with his hoof. Slightly warm. “Horsefeathers…”