'Twas the night before Hearthswarming. . .
The Hearthswarming dinner was prepared and ready to be cooked, the pudding - brandy in waiting - ready to be steamed. The tree was decorated, presents were wrapped and decorations were up. The fairy-lights were lit, and the fireplace stacked with dry sticks and logs in readiness for the morrow, stockings nailed to the mantelpiece. The house was warm, and cosy, and brimful of fuzzy, sleeping life: ten ponies, an alligator and one important pebble. But not all those present had drifted softly off to the land of the Moon, dreaming sweet dreams of tomorrow's Hearthswarming cheer. Not all slept content.
For young Marble Pie lay awake, yearning for the gentle caress of innocent, ignorant sleep. Her heart ached, her eyes swam, her mind spun dizzily round thoughts of self-doubt, despair, and countless 'what-ifs'. Eventually, feeling unable to hold back tears any longer, she slid softly from the bed she was sharing with her sister Limestone (though blessed with an unusually large house, the Apples were unable to give everypony a bed each), cautiously donned her slippers and dressing-gown, and crept stealthily out onto the landing. The door clicked to behind her.
Greyer than mist, silent as the grave, Marble wandered wraith-like to the wide, leaded window. A beautiful sight lay before her: the darkling night sky lit only by the hundreds of minute, sparkling Hearthswarming lights, and the yellow lanterns of pegasi homeward bound from the weather patrol. As the little pony watched, the first, gentle flakes of snow began to fall from a windless sky. And a tear slid, unheeded, down her cheek.
Oh, would that things had been different! If only she had said something, or done something, or just been a little less. . . something. She'd tried her best, really she had - Celestia knows how hard she'd tried - and yet it hadn't been enough. She hadn't been enough. I'm not good enough. Marble closed her eyes, resting her face on her forehooves upon the windowsill, and wept soundless sobs.
Eventually, gathering her wracked breath, she was able to calm herself, wiping her sad eyes with her hooves, and going back to staring out at the snow. Winter's white coat was lying already several inches deep.
She began paying closer attention to little patches of snow, watching as more and more flakes fell down to cover them. The world was so beautiful, so peaceful when it was like this. . . So absorbed was she that she almost missed the soft tink of a door closing somewhere behind her. Almost.
Marble knew who was coming towards her without turning round. She had always had good hearing, and this was heightened now by the intense silence which surrounded her; even the slight breeze blowing through the trees was muffled by the snowy powder built up against the single panes. I'd know that hoarse breathing anywhere. . .
The pony came right up and stood next to Marble, joining her in looking out at the snow. Neither said a word. Marble sighed softly.
After a few minutes Limestone spoke. "Let's go for a walk." Then she turned to look Marble in the eye.
"Hmm-mm," the grey mare replied.
Together they padded softly along the bare floorboards in their slippers, walking in single file down the rickety wooden stairs. Then they came to the hall and, after donning hats, scarves, coats and more appropriate footwear, shot back the bolts on the Apple family home's ancient oaken door, and stepped out into the cold.
After closing the door to behind themselves, the two sisters crunched slowly along the long, snow-covered track which led from Sweet Apple Acres towards Ponyville. Soft flakes were still falling, but more gently now, and as they walked the snowshower ceased altogether. It was a while before either of them spoke.
Just as Ponyville proper was coming into view round a corner in the road, Limestone broke the companionable silence, keeping her eyes on the path. "How are you feeling, Marble?"
Marble swallowed and thought of the best way to answer. "I'm fine," she muttered.
They continued their walk in silence for a few minutes, now approaching the bedecorated, watchful high street. The air seemed thick with anticipation for the morrow, but neither Marble nor Limestone made any comment as the town clock solemnly chimed the hour, striking twelve as Hearthswarming Day began.
"It's alright, you know," Limestone murmured a few minutes later. "I understand how you feel."
Marble blinked at her sister, but said nothing.
Limestone continued, "It's hard, isn't it. Feeling left out all the time. Being the oddity, the one who gets left behind. The one who gets forgotten."
The silent grey pony at her side swallowed again, and nodded, her eyes beginning to brim.
"It's alright to feel sad, Marble. I can always tell when you're down. . . you don't need to hide it from me. I'm your sister, I care about you." As she spoke, Limestone stopped walking, and turned to look her sister in the eye.
Marble nodded, trying to blink away the tears which were sliding down her cheeks. She tried to speak, but couldn't gather her breath. Instead she closed her eyes, bowing her head, her shoulders wracked by sobs. Limestone leant forward and pulled Marble in towards her, holding her close, and let Marble rest her head against hers. "It's alright," she whispered. "I've got you."
They sat down together on the Golden Oaks Library memorial bench, Limestone hugging her depressed sister firmly, but gently. Slowly, Marble's sobs began to subside, and she was able to breathe normally again. She took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds, before breathing out again by degrees.
Limestone began stroking her sister's mane. She hazarded a guess at the reason for Marble's upset. "You've been so much happier recently. . . It's having Big Mac to stay, isn't it?"
Marble nodded, keeping her eyes shut. "He seems so. . . content, with Sugar Belle. I had thought - I'd hoped - I thought that. . ."
Limestone waited a few moments, formulating her thoughts carefully. "I know how deeply you feel for him, Marble. I know how you had hoped he might be the 'one'." She paused, leaning her head into Marble's. "But it's not just that, is it?"
Marble looked up at her out of the corner of her eye, warily. "What do you mean?"
Limestone sighed, and closed her eyes. "It's not just Big Mac that's found someone. Now Maud has Mudbriar - and while I can't honestly say I like him, they seem to love each other well enough - and I'm pretty sure Applejack has started dating. . . somepony."
Marble turned to look her sister in the eye, surprised. "Really? Who?"
"Well. . ." Limestone couldn't decide how much to reveal. "It's nothing I know for certain, mind you. And you mustn't tell anyone, in case I'm wrong."
Marble nodded her assent.
"Very well then. . . Well, I'm pretty sure she's going out with Rarity."
Marble's amazement was evident immediately, and she whipped round to face Limestone fully. "Rarity? Really? But she's a. . . she. . ."
Limestone squirmed uncomfortably. "Well, yeah. . . Remember!" she added, "I might be wrong! But, y'know. It's just something I've noticed."
Her sister nodded thoughtfully, leaning her head against Limestone's chest. This was surprising - but was it, really? After all, Applejack had never shown any interest in stallions, not that she'd been aware of, anyway. . . and she'd always seemed very comfortable with Rarity. Marble shivered against the cold, and realised that Limestone was speaking again.
"So it's not just Big Mac that's found someone. It's Maud too, and maybe even Applejack. It - well, it's easy to, to - y'know, feel a bit. . ." She trailed off uneasily.
Marble's curiosity was piqued. "Go on," she encouraged.
"Well - it's easy to feel a bit. . . left out. If you see what I mean." Limestone sighed heavily.
"Hmm." Marble nodded. Poor Limestone! She'd never given a thought as to whether her elder sister might feel the same way. After all, Limestone was the eldest sister, a good six years older than herself and Pinkamena. She'd never had a special somepony, not once. She's lonely too. . .
Marble sat up, causing Limestone to lift her head. She seemed sad. "Is everything alright?"
The younger sister nodded. "I know how you feel, Limey. It's not easy, watching everypony else meet their special somepony. Sometimes I worry I'll never find someone."
Limestone shivered. "Let's carry on walking," she suggested.
They stood slowly up, brushing the snow from their coats. Their tracks were only just visible through the top layer of snow. The clock chimed for half past midnight. The two mares began the walk back to Sweet Apple Acres.
After a while, Limestone broke the silence. "I'm sure you will, you know."
Marble gave a quizzical look.
"I mean," her sister explained, "I'm sure you will find a special somepony. You're still very young, after all. . . and if I'm honest, I don't think Big Mac was the right pony for you anyway."
Surprised, Marble asked, "What makes you say that?"
"Well. . . I know he's big, and strong, and not too talkative. And I get why you like that sort of thing. But he moved on so quickly - if you know what I mean," she added. "I mean, you two were only going out for a few weeks, and you seemed to be getting along so well, when he just suddenly - changed his mind! And there was nothing you did to deserve that."
Marble blinked thoughtfully, wondering where this was going. She had been trying to work out what she'd done wrong, what she'd done to make Big Mac not like her anymore, for months and months; eventually she'd decided she just wasn't good enough for him, or for anyone.
"Because the thing is, Marble," Limestone was saying, "You're one of the nicest, most decent ponies I know. And I know you didn't do anything to upset him. He just. . . changed. And you deserve somepony better than that. You deserve somepony that'll stick by you, through thick and thin, never failing in his love for you. And I know that, one day, you'll find him." She stopped, and turned to Marble, smiling.
It was so rare to see Limestone smile that Marble couldn't help smiling back. . . and realised that maybe, just maybe, Limestone was right. Maybe it wasn't she who'd been at fault, maybe it was Big Mac all along!
Suddenly, she felt like the world felt clearer, more understandable. She felt free, separated from the fears she'd been tormenting herself with for so long. And, more than that, she felt - happy.
"Oh, thank you, Limestone! You've helped me see things in a much better light. I hope you're right, about meeting my special somepony one day."
"I'm sure you will." She paused, thoughtfully. "And deep down, I'm sure I will, too. It is hard, seeing younger ponies with their special someponies, having someone to hold and to cherish. . . But we're still young, Marble. There's still time. And no matter what happens, we'll always have each other."
A tear slid down each of their cheeks - but this time, it was a pleasant tear, a sign of contentment and of having overcome an obstacle. They hugged each other tightly, enjoying the other's company and nearness. Together, and without a word, the two sisters, hoof in hoof, trotted slowly, happily home.
'Twas the night before Hearthswarming,
And just for a while,
Two sisters were stirring, each with a smile.