//------------------------------// // A Thoughtful Gift // Story: The Midnight Pony // by Ponyess //------------------------------// There is a scent of Lavender on the air.  I slowly open my eyes, climbing out of my bed. My bare hooves hit the floor, quietly; since I am not wearing the boots right now.  I follow the scent of flowers out of the room, then down the hall to my room. I step into the room and open the door to my balcony. The balcony is largely empty and void.  I can see a row of Daisies to the right, and a line of Lilies to the left.  The plants are lining the balcony. Of course, the Lavenders are hanging from the ceiling,  One in a pot to the right and the other one to the left.   There is also a large urn with Daisies in the right and one to the left corner of the balcony. "I guess this is my balcony!” I exclaim. “I had asked her for Daisies, but I had never expected her to give me this much!” I ponder, reminding myself of the night. I had asked her, because it is something I can’t just conjure up.  Even a Daisy is alive. A conjured up item, is neither alive nor nourishing to me.  It is just an item, without spirit of flavour. I have my limits. Besides, a gift is always more valuable than a conjured up item. This room is giving me space in which I can be with her.  The room requires neither flavour nor spirit. It simply is.  I could conjure up clothes and furniture. The clothes are spirited, but only in extension of her.  The furniture is useful, because it makes the room comfortable. Yet, it is only comfortable; in the presence of her, the girl who is responsible for liberating me in the first place.  In a sense, I owe her everything. Yet, she asks little to nothing of me. Maybe that is how and why she liberated me in the first place? If she is enjoying my company and love me for who and what I am, there are no demands posed.  None needs to be posed, in the first place. I give her everything I have, and everything I have; because I enjoy doing it, and because she is truly appreciating it.  In return, she gave me this. The flowers on the balcony. I do not care how she got them, so long as she did not steal them or hurt anyone in the process. I had been quiet, contemplating the situation for a long while. All of a sudden, I hear the sounds of her hooves against the black stone floor.  She is walking up towards the door, stepping out onto the balcony beside me. “Thank you!” I exclaim, as I hear her step out. “You are quite welcome!” she merely acknowledges, nodding at the beautiful flowers. “They are quite beautiful, and you deserve them!” she then adds. “They are indeed lovely, they make the balcony, it is my place to give it a bit of life!” she concludes. “I guess you are right, but I like the balcony and what you made it into!” I add. “Now it is our home, away from home; out of the public eye, where we can truly be ourselves!” she agrees. “On that note, maybe I should conjure up a table and a pair of chairs?” I inquire. “That would be great!” she responds. I simply light up my horn, focus on the items of our common desire; the table and a pair of chairs appears out of the thin air.  Once the furniture had materialized fully, I cease my magic. My horn grows dark. “That never cease to amaze me, but then again; I am not a Unicorn, like you!” she exclaims. “No, but we can’t all be Unicorns!” I simply agree. She giggles. “I am a Human, I am satisfied with being a girl.  There is nothing that can change me, or how I feel about me or myself.  Though I would love exploring it with you, by my side!” she utter. “All the magic in the world can’t change the core or spirit of who you are, but I can permit you to experience a glimpse of what you could be!” I promise. “I love these stockings, you gave me; I love how they make me feel, honoring you with every step I take as I wear them!” she adds. “You are closer to me, than I had thought possible; you are dear to me, for who you are, and what you are doing for me!” I point out. If I had told her this before, but I am content pointing it out again and again.  I want and need her to know and understand the depth of these words. Words are empty and meaningless, if they mean nothing, or if the recipient does not understand what you are telling her.  Am I too literal, in my approach and personality? I stretch my neck and extend my muzzle, as I am sniffing the Daisies.  I sense the delicious scent and aroma of the gifted blossoms. “If you do not mind, but I want to try one of these lovely smelling Daisies!  I’m finding the scent irresistible!” I point out. “By all means, have one; they are yours, after all!” she promises. “Thank you!” I respond, as I part my lips and bite one of. I chew the Daisy, quietly enjoying it and the moment. “Just as delicious as I had pictured it!” I point out, as I finally do swallow the last of it. “Great, it pleases me to hear!” she is pointing out, with a smile all over her face. “I know, and I love letting you know just how delicious it is!” I put forth. I don’t make her happy, just because she liberated me; I make an effort to please her because I enjoy doing it and to see the sweet smile on her face. On the other hoof, she makes me happy, simply by smiling; she enjoys my company and thus smiles generously. She had become my friend; liberating me, almost by accident.  She had never expected or anticipated the effects of her actions.  She had generously given me everything. In so doing, I am now free to be her friend and enjoy her company. She gave me the Daisies, offered me to enjoy them.  I had indeed enjoyed the one I tasted; not just for the taste of it, but even for the symbol of the gift itself and what it is representing. I am honour bound, to return the favour, to the best of my abilities.  I can’t liberate her in the way she liberated me, but I can still give her something, something she could never have her without me.  I may be a unicorn, but the magic of friendship is much more than just that.     While I am smiling at her, the smile is much wider and deeper than the lips on my muzzle. --- --- ---