//------------------------------//
// The Fifth of the Seventh Moon, year 1819 of Celestia's reign 
// Story: Scootaloo's Hollow 
// by Dead_Mares 
//------------------------------//

Dreadwing flew behind the orange pegasus as she sped down the streets of Ponyville on her scooter. The bitter wind whipped past him, and despite being unable to freeze to death he still felt a chill ride up his spine. Winter had officially started and it seemed like the weather pegasi weren't going to hold back on the snow this time around.

"Come on! Can't you fly any faster?" Scootaloo called back at the large creature as she took a sharp turn.

"What would be the point of flying ahead if I'm just following you?" He replied.

Scootaloo shrugged. "Going fast is fun. Don't let me ruin it for you."

Dreadwing sighed and glanced up at the cloudy sky. "I don't take enjoyment from such things anymore. When you're as old as I am it's difficult to find joy in small comforts."

"That's sad. I'd hate to live so long I don't enjoy anything anymore. So how old are you, exactly?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well over a millennium. My first conscious day was in the year 583."

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? Wow. That's a long time." She slowed down slightly as they neared the bridge, her temporary place of comfort while she healed. The cause of her injuries were kept secret from Dreadwing, but he decided to not pry further.

The sound of squealing filled the air as Scootaloo skidded to a halt at the end of the bridge. She removed her helmet and walked down the slope to the river with Dreadwing close behind. They took up their usual spots on opposite sides of the frozen water and Scootaloo began aimlessly tracing lines in the ice next to her. "So why don't you appear to anypony else?"

Dreadwing settled himself down at the foot of the bridge and glanced at her. "Because they would scream and run away."

Scootaloo shook her head. "I know that, but there has to be another reason."

"Well..." Dreadwing shifted from his uncomfortable position. "What good would come of it? Even in the kindest regions of Equestria nopony has ever accepted me, even the ones who didn't flee. I got tired of trying after a couple hundred years."

"I accepted you for who you were."

Dreadwing scratched the side of his neck. "I know, but that's different. You said you had met monsters worse than I, so it makes sense that you would."

Scootaloo shrugged. "I guess so."

The two of them sat there for many long hours, just discussing whatever came to mind. Scootaloo always seemed to change the subject whenever it got to her situation at home, but Dreadwing didn't push her any further. It didn't seem like she was going to get her cutie mark any time soon, so he had plenty of time to figure out her secret.

When the sun began to sink low in the sky, Scootaloo stood up and stretched her cold limbs. "I'm gonna head home. See you in the morning."

Dreadwing nodded to her as she put her helmet on and hopped on her scooter. "See you."

A warmth spread through Dreadwing's chest as he watched the pony race down the street. He had encountered this unfamiliar feeling every day since appearing to her, and while he had an inkling as to what it was he didn't want to say for sure. From his experience, jumping to conclusions was never a good answer.