//------------------------------// // Bright Seed // Story: A Second Chance // by nimaru //------------------------------// Crystal leisurely led the way through the market, stopping at the usual stores and stalls. Normally, she liked to keep small talk to a minimum so she could quickly return to her work, but today was not a normal day. It’s only natural that a pony as striking as Snow would draw attention, but her unusual blankness magnified that tenfold. Both in the stores and on the street, ponies that Crystal knew went out of their way to quickly exchange formalities so they could ask about Snow. Most were genuinely curious, but a few bold colts stood a little too close and stared a little too intently. Oblivious as always, Snow encouraged them with a smile and a laugh and it was up to Crystal to step in and make up some excuse to separate them. After the fifth such exchange, Crystal was becoming rather irritable. Growing hyper-conscious of the attention, she moved close and placed herself between Snow and other ponies. You’re too popular for your own good! she scolded internally. Crystal glanced at Snow, worried that her protection was unwelcome. Instead, she became inexplicably irritated to find that Snow hadn’t even noticed. She needn’t have followed her gaze to know what captured the white pony’s attention so. After all, she’d had been staring at it distractedly for most of the morning. Market Park. Placed exactly in the center of the square, the enormous park was full of trees, fountains, walking paths and even a lake. And while Crystal could go on about the expertly crafted amphitheater and stone inlaid artwork to the north, the feature that drew her companion’s attention was far less interesting as far as she was concerned. To the south, just below the lake and bordered on three sides by strips of shade trees, lay a large grassy meadow. Crystal never learned if there was a purpose to leaving so much empty space, but these days it was only used for one thing: foalsitting. Nopony, especially Canterlot mothers, wanted to spend their mornings in the company of bored and whiney foals. That’s why they were only too happy to send their restless little ones off to run and play so they could take their time in the market. And when the shopping was done, they found space under the shade trees where they could relaxed and socialize. It wasn’t artful or noteworthy by any means, but their constant presence kept the square full of the sounds of laughter and playful squeals. Sounds that were like a siren’s song to the white pony who was so absorbed that, once again, she was paying no attention to the irate craftpony at her side. *SIGH* Crystal glanced skyward to check the position of the sun. “Hey, Snow…” “Hmmmm?” she answered, turning her head, but keeping her eyes on the park for as long as possible before glancing to Crystal questioningly. “Why don’t you go find a place to sit over there,” she said, nodding towards the trees on the edge of the field. “I’ll go get us some lunch and meet you.” “Ok, that sounds nice,” said Snow calmly. She was trying to play it cool, but her twitching tail betrayed her inner excitement. “I’ll be back soon,” said Crystal as she nonchalantly turned down the street. After a few strides, she ever-so-slightly tilted her head to the side so she could see Snow, who, believing she wasn’t being watched, set off at a run to the trees. She must really love foals, Crystal thought with a smile. ************* Crystal Quarry stood patiently in line, waiting for fresh honey rolls from the city’s most popular baker. It really wasn’t in her character to care about such frivolities, but the moment she saw them, Snow’s face flashed in her mind. She could see her childlike joy when she’d bite into them, overreacting the way she always did… The colt in front of her suddenly turned to face her with a wide grin. Crystal hadn’t realized until just then that she’d been giggling to herself, but it wasn’t for him so she frowned to make that clear. But the embarrassed blush she couldn’t hold back only encouraged him. He made his best flirting face and took a step towards her. She scowled and averted her eyes, feeling small and unsure. She started to have trouble breathing and struggled to hold back tears. She wanted to run, but her legs turned to jelly. The colt, frowned and raised an eyebrow before shrugging and turning forward again. Released from his stare, the panic subsided replaced almost immediately with anger. What was THAT? Crystal fumed. For the next several minutes she brooded about honey rolls and foalish white ponies and how humiliated she felt and how she should just leave and how she should just find something else to eat and… But every time thought about stepping out of line, she thought of Snow. And each time, she countered herself with a new excuse: “She’d really like these rolls”, “I’ve already come this far”, “the baking staff would be offended”, “I’m not giving this colt the satisfaction of seeing me run…” Colts! Where is she!? Crystal craned her neck to see past the ponies in line behind her, not noticing that she had reached the front. “Your order miss?” asked the bakery pony. “I…uh…” she replied, caught off guard. “Fourhoneyroll please” she blurted, still scanning the trees for a stark white pony. How could I have left her alone? What was I thinking! Crystal began to trot in place. “Here you are. Fresh from the oven miss!” Crystal grabbed them magically and flung a generous chunk of bits onto the bench in exchange. “Keep the change!” she yelled as she ran. ******************** She trotted as quickly as she could through the shade trees, but only found a herd of mothers lounging in the shade as usual. Seeing a mare she knew, she rushed breathlessly to her to ask about Snow, but Glacial Drift didn’t pay any attention. She, like all the others, was staring at the field in unnatural silence. Compelled, she followed their gaze… and in that brief moment of calm, finally noticed the song. Several gallop-lengths away a group of fillies and foals sat in rapt attention as a certain white pony sang. The green grass swayed gently and the sun glinted off her long locks making it seem as if she were glowing. Cuddled in her embrace, a single foal, his mouth hanging slightly open as he too sat mesmerized. The song wasn’t one that Crystal had ever heard before, but its power was undeniable. With a gentle intensity, it spoke of inner beauty and being true to yourself. How in the times that you’re too weak alone, a good friend can be your strength. And even though Crystal knew that the song was for the little foal that she held, it somehow felt as if Snow was singing it for her too. The world seemed to slow, and every sensation blurred until the last notes disappeared into the air. Crystal blinked several times and shook her head. She turned to Glacial Drift. “What was that ab…” she began. SHHHH! the pony hissed without even glancing her way. Slightly offended, Crystal tried to formulate a response when screams erupted from the field sending chills up her spine. She whipped her head back to see what happened; her heart racing. MAMA MAMA MAMA! the foal shouted as he ran. The other little ponies fled before Snow who trotted lightly behind. What did you DO, Snow!? Crystal panicked. Before Crystal could recover from the shock and confusion, the little pony reached Glacial Drift and started jumping and babbling wildly. Moments later, the other young ponies ran to their mothers or spun excitedly in circles and zigzags as they shouted incoherently. Over the din, Crystal could just make out what the foal was saying: “…ark… I got my cutie mark! SEE! SEE!?” He thrust his flank practically into her snout in his excitement. There, bright and bold, was a white thunderbolt touching down at the head of three horseshoes in a straight line. The mothers all hollered and clopped their hooves in applause. Glacial Drift nuzzled him and fluffed his mane. “Congratulations, Dart Hoof! It’s a wonderful mark” she encouraged. He beamed and ran like a flash back into the field with the others trailing close behind. Crystal followed them with her eyes, still stunned. “Mmmmm! Those smell wonderful!” Snow said. Crystal jumped a little, having failed to notice the white pony standing right next to her. “But I’d like to spend a little more time with the foals before lunch… if you don’t mind,” she said, turned back to Glacial Drift as she spoke the last words, asking them both at the same time. “Feel free,” Glacial Drift answered. “Today, you’re their hero!” Snow smiled briefly before running off. Crystal watched Dart Hoof separate from the vortex of foals and meet Snow halfway. A breath later, they simultaneously ran together to some arbitrary point, laughing; the wave of little ponies not far behind. Watching them made Crystal’s breath catch and her chest felt tight. For the second time that day, she endured the same mildly uncomfortable and very confusing sensation. “So…” Glacial Drift began, breaking Crystal’s trance. The other mothers had long since resumed their chatter, but Glacial Drift was looking directly at Crystal. “…this is the white pony my husband has been flirting with all week,” she teased, patting the ground next to her. Crystal accepted the invitation, sitting next to her. “Well, she does draw a lot of attention,” Crystal answered, determined not to take the bait. “Speaking of,” she deflected, “I seem to recall Stonewall not thinking much of runner-ponies. How are you going to handle him?” She snorted in response. “As much as he denied it, Dart Hoof’s talent has been obvious for a while. Besides I’ve been subtly working him for weeks. You know as well as I do that even the smallest pressure will break stone eventually.” Crystal stared at her and blinked slowly. The cold and calculated way she spoke would have sounded very sinister if Crystal hadn’t known her so well. “Well, that’s good then,” she finally said, turning back to stare into the field. The two ponies watched Snow, who was lying on her back, kicked in false terror at the mound of little attackers who’d pinned her down. Crystal smiled in spite of herself. “You seemed pretty upset when you arrived. Is everything alright?” Crystal sucked in air through her teeth and her ears flattened. That was not the question she expected. “I… uh… she… alone and colts… and…” she stuttered, looking downward. “I see,” Glacial Drift answered, sounding oddly satisfied by the answer. Crystal flushed a little, but said nothing. “He’s quite taken with her you know…” “What!?” Crystal barked involuntarily, snapping her head up to look the direction that Glacial Drift indicated. Out in the field, where Crystal expected to see another lovestruck colt by Snow’s side, she instead saw Dart Hoof showing off; running to and fro while jumping and doing little tricks. Glacial Drift giggled a little under her breath while Crystal blushed furiously. She laid her ears back and opened her mouth, but before she could speak the tidal wave of little ponies returned; flowing through the trees, each to their respective mothers. Packs opened on all sides and food came out. Lunchtime had begun. Snow walked calmly into the shade, her face a mask of satisfaction. She took her place at Crystal’s side then took a deep breath; exhaling slowly. “Phew!” She exclaimed, turning to face Crystal. “Is everything alright?” Snow suddenly asked. “Her? Oh, she has a terrible aching on the inside,” Glacial Drift teased. “What!? Why didn’t you say anything!” Snow worried. Crystal rolled her eyes and pulled a warm honey roll from her bag and shoved it into Snow’s mouth. “I’m fine. She just means I’m hungry,” she said. Snow looked for a moment as if she was going to object, but then her face melted into a mask of joy from the sweet taste of the rolls. Crystal bit into her own roll and tried to enjoy Snow’s reaction while ignoring the cloud of smug amusement coming from the mare behind her.