Every special creature that I've ever met has appeared at a crucial moment of my life.
For example, Lilicat was one of them. She was given to me on Hearth's Warming Eve when I was about five years old.
Back then she was a little furball with big diamond shaped eyes, silver coat, and a long bushy tail.
She always stared at me hoping that I'd be the one who would strike up a conversation. Whenever I have inner turmoil I definitely can't talk about with any other pony I run to her.
Evening Sky was a starlet from Applewood whose career was soaring so quickly that I thought she was totally out of my reach. Yet, that very same moment served as a constant reminder that I needed her so badly and was completely sure she was not another Falabella.
Suddenly I felt I was wanted again, truly wanted, to start over with a more sincere relationship as if nothing had happened. It was like a old wound that was beginning to heal or like the elixir that Luna gave me in my dream, I wondered if it existed but then I was told that it was just part of a legend.
"The red color you saw in your dream symbolizes life, passion. If you choose to run away from it you're shutting the door on love. Why don't you give yourself that freedom?
You deserve to be happy even if you don't think it's right..."
I told Mom about my dreams in order to get a second opinion and that's what she explained in a letter. She knows me so well it's practically impossible to hide my feelings in front of her.
Sometimes they ask me about my father; he disappeared during a huge flood in Fillydelphia and was never heard from again. I don't miss him though because we hardly ever had time to chat, he worked outside the city in a nearby town, so he always came home late. He said to me, however;
"Bree , now you go out there and make me so damn proud."
After Hearth's Warming Eve I began to daydream a whole lot but my mind was bursting with ideas for new songs. Unfortunately that wasn't the approach the other band members wanted since there hasn't been a moment in which we had gone soft.
It was initially my fault showing my darkest side every single time I could so I could keep an audience and a solid fan base. Now I was becoming more sensitive than a school filly.
There was one day that I overslept as I my thoughts drove me into a different direction. She invaded my universe so damn easily, like the laughter of a child that filled the room and made everything so much was easier to swallow.
It must have been true because I felt light as a feather all day.
"Hmmm, you're up early," said Rosie May, my housekeeper. She also happened to be my foal sitter when I was little and helpless. She was a unicorn about my size, robust like an apple tree and with a gruff voice that always scared Lilicat away.
"Evidently," I said.
"You do realize it's snowing and it's more likely for you to bundle up instead of wandering around like you were little.
"Well, I feel different, that's all, can't a pony like me feel alive every once in a while?"
"Perhaps, but I also have much experience to know it has to do something with a certain pony," and she winked at me.
"Yeah, it's possible..." I said as I was swinging my tail from side to side. "Among other things..."
"Then it's such a joy to see you smile after such a harsh year..."
"Don't get used to it though."
"Ooooooh," she said, "but you must tell me ALL about it, what's HER name?"
I answered timidly, "Evening Sky."
"Sit down, at least you're not going anywhere right now...can I get you anything, darling, how about some tea?"
Deep down I was experiencing some deja vu, especially because of Luna.
"You wouldn't happen to have some red tea among all your other knickknacks?" I asked politely.
"No...just white. It's called Diamond Tea, not to be taken literally though," said Rosie May as she placed a cup. While it wasn't as fancy as Luna's mysterious infusion it served me well to clear my throat.
"Sweet..."
"Nice! You never praised my cooking before!" she cried.
"Oh, it came spontaneously," I answered nervously. "I was probably thinking of something else."
"Or some pony else," she said. "Say, Rosie May, you never heard about the legends of Luna?"
"You mean the Princess of the Night who nearly took over Equestria and scared the living daylights out of every single pony?"
"Yes!" I said.
"Not more than what any other pony knows," she answered.
"All I'm saying is that she does things in dreams that never take place in real life. A few days ago she brought what was called Ruby Red Tea, does that even exist?"
Rosie May twitched her nose and smiled, "Oh! You're asking me if such a thing is available?"
"Yes!"
"No, I have never seen that but maybe I could try and get you some while I'm out."
"No, no, there's no need, I have a feeling it doesn't even exist," I told her as I lowered my head.
"You have such a bright imagination, Bree and that is something that DOES exist and you can't find anywhere else."
"Of course I know that! That equals all of my business."
"So you were saying about that new girl..."
"I may or may not meet her again. She's the sweetest thing I have ever seen, not like me. Why would some pony like me deserve to have something so innocent and pure?"
"I say stop feeling sorry for yourself and take that chance, you never know what she has in store...Well, I have to run some errands, kid, in the meantime enjoy the rest of your day."
Suddenly Lilicat began to pull my hind leg.
"Oh Boy, would you like to go out now? But sweetie, it's cold outside!"
She dragged me all the way back to my room into the closet where I had left my leather coat. She pulled out with her puny mouth what seemed to be a pamphlet and spread it for me.
"Awwww, what is that and how did it get here in the first place? You are very clever sometimes," I cried while stroking Lilicat's head.
Evie was doing a play that night but she didn't invite me or anything. I still considered it an excellent opportunity to make contact but I knew that I would be stepping out of my territory. It was more likely to go alone since the path was neatly laid out for me and no pony else. Probably this holiday miracle might have been the work of Luna but then again who was to question such a wise mare?
She had the leading role in what was called "Home For The Holidays." It was a classic, boring as ever but then again it depended very much how they played it.
"I must be there, Lilicat! This time I do have control of the situation!"
Lilicat moaned, meaning she wasn't pleased.
"Whatever, I didn't ask for your opinion. I must look desirable, very, very desirable."
Said and done I walked into my enchanted closet given to me by Vivienne Sablebrush. Though some ponies would consider it something extremely vain it actually saved a lot of time.
After that was taken care of I called upon the presence of my trustworthy feathered friend, Pete for a special mission. Of course, he didn't get it at first so I had to explain this several times.
"So..." he said with a long pause, "what are we doing out here again?"
I politely said, "I am going downtown, to the old Royal Theatre to see a play..."
"Awww, I see," he said, "No, no, no, wait a sec, that doesn't make any sense! You're not the kind of pony that does THOSE things!"
"Such as," I continued.
"Well, I was always under the impression that you were sort of grouchy and despised anything that had to do with this season, which is fine by me."
"Yes, and I haven't changed a bit! But now it's for a very powerful reason...it's for a girl."
Pete frowned, "Ah, why do you keep using me like I was some sort of cupid or something?"
"You already got the wings, so get to it!"
We left the manor and I was feeling as I was about to commit a heinous crime .
I hadn't been to the Royal Theatre, not even by accident. It was said to be the pinnacle of any pony actor's career, but that was in the past. Now it was used for any other event but it still hadn't lost its allure.
It was enchanted to change to tone of the facade according to the occassion and this time they had chosen red , green, and gold but mostly the first one. Every last corner of it was glitzy and splendid. This would have been an absolute delight when I was younger, why didn't I feel excited now?
"Right, now remember what you have to do, Pete, don't stay out of my sight."
"R-r-righty O!" he said and then flew away.
If I remember the story well Home For The Holidays was about this little filly named Honeyblossom who had never experienced a single Hearth's Warming Eve in her life because his dad was always too busy and didn't believe in the spirit of giving. So then one fine day she gathers many other ponies for one huge celebration full of singing and dancing among other heart melting things.
But when I saw it again it was truly different, I'd blame it on my infatuation. Evie had the most beautiful and celestial voice, she made everything look so easy. Alone I watched in awe from the balcony.
There even was this one particular song that remained stuck in my head. In that particular scene it was a cold winter morning and the sky was so clear and sunny.
What will I do, where will I go,
to find the one thing I long the most,
is it something so hard to find,
or will I ever feel just fine
The perfect thing I need this season
it's not something with rhyme or reason
something simple to share with you,
perhaps some love is what will do.
I was instantly driven to my earliest childhood memories when I used to play in the snow and watched Lilicat roll around chase me all over the place. Nah, but that wasn't the point.
"Are you bored yet?" said Pete from behind the curtain.
"Um...no...well, yes, ok. I was just enjoying the moment."
"Oh, sure, and I take it that you also got something in your eye?"
I shed a tear for a moment but I quickly dismissed it and stood proudly, "Well? I admit I was a bit moved, but let's keep this between us, is that clear?"
"Fine, pony princess. It's a miracle to see you finally revealing you have a soft side. I never thought I'd live to see that day."
"Oh come on, don't try to overdo it. Did you make the proper arrangements?"
"Oh, yeah, that's taken care of. She's meeting afterwards, as simple as that. What exactly do you see in her?"
I smiled with confidence, "She was sent to me."
Pete just couldn't bare what I was saying and laughed, "Dude, you need to keep your hooves on the ground and start thinking of you know, perhaps some music instead?"
"But you see this is where it all begins," I said in a lower voice to avoid being noticed, "It's the source of all my inspiration."
"Then it looks like YOU need her," said Pete. "Otherwise there's no inspiration or whatever you call it."
"We'll see, it's just that..."
The final act was up and the whole town gathered
What a joy , what a thrill,
to use all of you here,
what a feast will it be
And to think I was missing all of this.
And then she stood in a lovely royal blue velvet gown as it snowed aplenty and she sang:
And now you see, it's all so clear,
what you longed for was all around you,
to be together in harmony
so we never have a thing to fear
"She's so perfect!" I cried. "She must be mine. No wait, I'll use the art of persuasion, that's what I'll do. Enough with this mushy stuff."
And so we hurried up to go backstage to see the young star. I felt slightly nervous but always with an upbeat tone of voice. She had removed her stage clothes and remained in a fluffy baby blue robe.
"Welcome, Marelyn," she began. "Fancy meeting you here."
"It is kind of unusual, isn't it?" I replied. "I just couldn’t resist the idea of watching you do what you do best. I wanted to tell you that this is the best version I have ever seen of this play!"
She smiled carelessly, "I know it all by heart, year after year. Anyway, it’s so nice to see you again. I was expecting you."
I got more nervous because I ran out of things to say, "Really, um, you were, how did you know I would come?"
"I know many things you don't know and could show them you if you'd like!" She sat down while she carefully brushed her blonde silky mane. "Acting can wear you out so easily and I hardly have time to enjoy the little things about life."
"Such as," I continued.
"You, for example," she said timidly, "Don't get me wrong, I know how big and important you are but isn't great to experience the thrill of adventure?"
Evie turned to me with dreamy eyes. "Do you want to get out of here?"
I was frozen, "Ok but would that be a problem with you?"
"No, not at all. I would just go to another boring party anyway. Let's do something you would normally do."
I smiled back and thought to myself, "This is just too good to be true."
And so I took her back to my place; all pony girls loved it but it’s just that they hadn't seen the best of it.
It's funny how every pony keeps thinking I live in a kind of mysterious scary lair. It sort of is anyway. It has a flare of ancient times. I loved living in old houses.
It was wide and with minimal decoration. Most of it was black for I didn´t really care much about colors. Now that I met her I have a sudden crave for pink.
We went to my favorite spot which was a spacious balcony perfect for star gazing.
Evie took some steps and closed her eyes firmly and inhaled.
"Make a wish and I will multiply it by ten," she said.
I blushed but then I said, "I believe it already came true."
"What are you most afraid of, Marelyn?"
"Why would I be? Is it really necessary to always feel that way?"
She placed her hoof on my chest and felt how my heart beat twice as fast.
"See, I bet I know what you're afraid of..." she continued, "You're afraid that eventually this conversation can get so intimate that you will have to reveal your true self."
I was right on the whole intuition thing. Her eyes saw the truth hidden inside my timid gaze.
"The true self trembles upon the stage for he is exposed like a naked creature who had just been born. He feels unprotected and doesn't have a thing to say. He needs to be guided in order to be strengthened."
I was speechless. "How do you know all this?"
She smiled carelessly, "Oh, that's because mom taught me to read The Cards of Fate."
"I am barely familiar with these arts since magic has been proven to do things in a much more effective manner," I said.
"It really doesn't matter; the unknown is so fascinating, though. I could show you how to read them sometime..."
"I'd love too," I said smiling. "But you know what, I don't need them to tell you what lies ahead in your life."
And then I whispered into her ear and she quickly giggled like a school filly, "That's promising."
We went upstairs to my room and didn't come out until the next morning so you figure out the rest.