Igniting Hope

by Theta


Step 4: Hope

I leaned in the doorway, carefully eyeing the grey pegasus, man she looks so...depressed, wonder what's wrong? "Hey, you alright?," I managed to muster, gripping my ribs with my right arm.

"Oh! Torque you shouldn't be moving around, the doctor specifically said not to move around too much!," the wall eyed mare responded, quickly hiding her frown, "Come on, let's get you back in bed! You must be awful sore, doc said you broke two ribs and fractured your ring finger.," getting up, she rushed over to me and got me to lean over onto her shoulder. Step by step, she helped me make my way towards the room next door.

Reaching the bed, I lazily sat down, careful not to lean over too much. The question finally dawned on me; where am I? I can't still be in that tree library can I? "Hey, miss Ditzy where are we?" I asked, scratching my head in a manner which screamed confusion.

"Oh, you're at my house silly! I insisted on it, since we aren't really sure who your parents are or where they are.," Her eyes looking normal, but still shimmering with a yellow iris, "Torque where are your parents? I mean they should know you broke some ribs. I think they'd be really happy to know you're alright!"

"Well...How can I put this...I-I'm not from here, and my parents ain't here either. I kind of just ran off two days ago...," I reply, careful to not reveal too much, "Uhh hey where are your parents? Do they know I'm here, I mean I wouldn't want you to get in trouble or nothin',"

"Ouch, I guess you ran for a good reason, not many ponies have the will to run away from home...sorry if that's a touchy subject, anyway I live with my mom, and she knows what happened and was easy to persuade when we brought you here."

"Gah, my ribs are killin' me, those are pain pills right?," wincing in pain, and asking through clenched teeth.

"Of course," she replied happily, "Here you go, doc said to take two when you wake up! Oh I made these muffins myself, I hope you like them, they're chocolate chip!"

Celestia I love her bubbly personality, wish I was that optimistic. Guess I've just seen too much... "Thanks," I said after washing down the pill, which almost immediately worked. I reached over and grabbed one of the treats on the table,
"These muffins look delicious, Ditzy."

My eyes went wide, and my mouth ajar, it's official; she is the BEST baker ever. The first bite into that muffin was bliss, and the second and third were more like inhalations rather than bites. "Excuse my language, but damn! These are unlike anything I have ever tasted! You're coltfriend must love when you cook for him."

"I-I don't have a coltfriend," Her face reverted back to depression, "No stallion has ever shown any interest in me. In fact most ponies think I'm a 'retard' because my eyes look like this.," tears now trickled down her face,"Oh, I'm ugly thats why! No pony will ever like me, just look at me! Maybe what they say is true...maybe I am a good for nothing re-"

I quickly reached out, brushing her mane, which was askew and covered her face, to the side and in the most soothing voice I could make, "Ditzy look at me. You ain't good for nothing, you ain't a retard, and you are the most amazing mare I have met in my life. I'll spare you the cliche-ness of this speech, and skip to I'd kill for a mare like you. Knowing any other pony, they'd have forced out why and where I'm running from."

"Why, why do you have to make fun of me! I try to help you and you just push me even fath-" I cut her short, putting a finger to her lips.

"Ditzy, I have nothing against you. Without you, I'd be sleepin' on a cloud right now, still battered and beat up from that fight. I've known you for less than a day, and already you have helped me out with so much, so why would I mock you? I mean every word I say, you really are a great mare. A stallion like me would be lucky to even imagine a mare like you, let alone actually know you."

Wiping her tears, she finally looked up and into my eyes, "Torque, why do you like me? I mean most ponies can't even stand being in my company for more than an hour. What's like-able about me? I'm such a klutz, I have managed to cause more ill will, than good. Even when I'm only trying to help."

"Well, I like you because you are who you are. You're stronger than me, but then again just about everypony is...anyway Ditzy you stand out, not just your looks. You have the most optimistic outlook I have ever witnessed, and when I am around you I feel, I dunno, happier. I don't know many fillies that would be able to be in the presence of their bully, especially if they know they can be physically harmed. Y'know I played lacrosse. Compared to when I was on the field, I am the most disorganized and uncoordinated beings in Equestria, just ask Nas- I mean just ask anyone back in Coltcinnati."

"Torque, you stood up for me when you barely know me. You're the strongest stallion in this town, and you are probably the most nimble pegasi here to boot..."

I felt a blush at the praise, "No, really. I ain't nothin'. I just did what a gentlecolt would have do-" she quickly cut me off.

"No, not even a gentlecolt would go as far as you did. Look at it, you got up after being beaten down, broke bones, threatened and scared the biggest bully in town, and managed to carry me to Twilight's house! No pony I know would ever go that far out of there way to do such a thing, especially to somepony who they just met."

Silence. That's all that followed, that's all that could follow. She's wrong, I'm not anything special, and a gentlecolt would definitely do that, right? I reline into the headboard, looking straight at the ceiling. I could feel the movement to the side of me, and a glance over would show she did the same thing. Could this be the answer to my problems? Finding someone to fill the void? They could never fully fill the darkness in my heart, but by Luna, it's worth a try...problem now is to find my special somepony....