//------------------------------// // A Spirit (Named Shadow) // Story: The Mare Who Fell In Love With The Wind // by canonkiller //------------------------------// Once upon a time, in a growing city in the Arctic Wastes, a young mare walked the enchanted border of her empire. Her mane was a pale purple, with a streak of yellow, and her coat was a cheery rose. Her back was scarce of wings, and her head was scarce of horns, but she was the Princess nonetheless. Her magenta eyes glittered against her crystalline skin as she began to hum along to the whistling wind. On the other side of the edge she walked along, the wind rushed and bit with snow. Hidden in the gale, a herd of snow-white horses galloped along, mane and tail billowing like smoke behind them. In the middle, a foal, coat dusky gray against his white brothers and sisters, trailed in the snow. Why, he asked the others quietly, does she not sing? She is lonely. The others replied, nudging him along. What is lonely? He asked, looking up at them through coal-black eyes. They frowned, white eyes gleaming. She is not one of us. That is lonely. He watched her walk and sing as the herd started to slow, preparing to rest for the night. He trotted around the group, anxiously watching the young mare. Can she be one of us? No. The Windigo beside him replied. Can I be one of her? He asked, kneeling down in the snow. No. He sighed, vapor trailing from his mouth. Then how do we stop her lonely? We cannot. Go to sleep. The colt stood up, wandering away from the group. I will. The other Windigo watched him for a moment before tucking its' head down and falling asleep. The colt trotted up alongside the mare, watching her and listening to her song. Her eyes opened, and she saw the young Windigo. Open-mouthed in wonder, the mare put her hoof against the force-field of her city. The Windigo frowned cautiously before doing the same, the magic a solid, warm wall under his hoof. "What are you?" Her voice, muffled by the barrier, coated the shimmering wall with steam. "Why are you here?" I am a winter spirit. He replied, reaching out to try and make a mental connection. The mare gasped, drawing away from the barrier. "You spoke in my head!" Your head. Yes. He tilted his head, looking past her into the city beyond. Why do you have a lonely? "I'm a Princess." She sighed. Is that a bad thing? "I am the Princess of a failing line." She replied. "Nobody wants to be friends with a filly who's better than them." Are you better than them? I do not understand. He leaned his muzzle against the glass, snorting mist against the wall. "They are the ones who do not understand." She paused, removing her hoof from the barrier. "Do you have a name?" What is a name? He asked. Do you have one? Is that what makes you better than the others? "A name is something others call you by. My name is Crystal Heart." I will call you Crystal, then. He nodded, pleased. I do not have a name. Windigoes do not need them. "That's kind of sad. Do you want a name?" It would be nice. She tapped a hoof on the barrier. "You're darker than the others. I'll call you Shadow." That sounds nice. He agreed, smiling. She lifted an ear, turning away from the barrier. "The crystal is calling. I have to go. I'll see you again, yes?" You will. She stood up, backing up from the wall with a soft smile before turning and galloping back to the city. Shadow left his hoof on the warm barrier for a few moments before lifting the hoof and placing it over his chest. I feel warmth inside. He commented idly to himself. I hope I haven't caught her lonely.