Crystal opened her eyes and smiled.
Despite the shade trees all around her, she had a clear view of the market; a wonder of the city that she had helped to create. Before her the tall buildings and shops stood like giants, and at their feet, the cleverly styled cobblestones of the street. Along the street’s edge, flowers grew in intricately fashioned stone basins and light glimmered in the water of ornately cut drinking fountains. Nearly everything she could see had been touched by her talent.
But the longer she looked, the stranger and more chilling the scene became. Instead of vibrant color, there were only shades of grey. Instead of bustling streets, there was vacant silence. The fountains didn’t flow, the banners didn’t wave, and the trees stood unnaturally still. Even the clouds were frozen in the colorless sky.
Everything about the barren landscape felt wrong. It was if a hidden darkness were lying in wait; peering at her. Crystal took a fearful step backwards….
*Giggle*
She froze; startled by the gleeful sound. In the cold silence, it took a moment to separate the source from the numerous echoes…
Somepony’s in the park, she thought, looking over her shoulder.
But it wasn’t just, somepony, it was Snow. She was running happily; her sun-soaked coat and mane glimmered as she zipped through the impossibly green-colored grass. Not far away, another Snow was sitting in a rainbow of flowers, delighting in sniffing one after the other. Still more Snows were jumping, rolling, or chatting amiably.
The sight filled her with joy and despair in equal measure. Out there was a pony who once needed and depended on her… but was that really true? From the beginning Snow had been full of life and light. A mare who shone so brightly that nopony who’d met her could dislike her. And in contrast, there was Crystal: a pony who lived in the dark; aloof and alone.
Who needed who? She wondered sadly.
With a heavy heart, Crystal averted her eyes. She looked deep into the monochrome city where her empty shop awaited her. Her front hoof lifted off the ground...
I don’t want to go! she pleaded, but her hooves ignored her; stepping boldly forward.
“It’s where I belong,” she heard herself say. “I don’t need anypony else.”
No! She argued fruitlessly.
Her legs carried her through the shadows, leaving frost in every hoofstep. The playful sounds behind her grew distant and she began to forget color and sunlight. Feeling numb, she stumbled, falling to the ground in a heap. She tried to get up, but the icy shadows, eager for company, leapt upon her, snapping and crackling joyously as it grew. The cold set in, draining her warmth and will to fight.
“What does it matter?” she resigned. “This is for the best.”
Crystal Quarry closed her eyes… and felt herself letting go...
Dusty!
The muffled voice blew past her on a warm breeze. Crystal lifted her head and twisted her ear. She was almost sure somepony had called her. She turned to see Snow standing by the edge of the trees, looking at her earnestly.
Dusty! she called again.
The wind blew again and where it touched, color and life reached out; pleading for release. Then, one by one, the Snows in the field turned in Crystal’s direction and added their voice.
Dusty...Dusty… Dusty!
The wind whipped through the trees which shed their ashen coats like rain. Returned to life, the trees waved and rustled, letting spots of light down to pierce the shadows. The dancing sunbeams bent and twisted towards the frozen pony, forming a single bright ray. The Snows all fell silent and watched closely.
CRACK! the ice loudly protested.
Seemingly satisfied, the closest Snow grinned then turned; galloping deep into the meadow where the rest had already gathered together. She stopped and turned; sitting in their center. Each Snow leaned close, touching her lightly with a hoof and then, as one, they whispered:
DUSTY!
With a roar like the ocean, her soft voice sent a shockwave blowing through the meadow and then out into trees, the square, and the city beyond. Crystal watched as color leapt and splashed over every surface, extending to the distant horizon and across the sky. Defeated, the ice shattered; falling into clumps around her before vanishing into the ground.
Still numbed, Crystal stood and turned to the field where a single snow remained; waiting. Drawn, by Snow’s encouraging smile, she raised a shaking hoof and took a cautious step… and then another… and another.
But when her front hoof touched the sunlit grass, she hesitated; afraid to step out from the cold, but familiar shadows.
Snow, seeming to understand, closed her eyes and curled in, crossing her hooves in front of her chest. Then she raised her head and threw her hooves open wide; light bursting burst forth like the dawn. In a flash, the shadows that surrounded and lived within Crystal were burnt away. She was free… but…
Snow smiled in a way that made Crystal’s heart skip. The invitation was clear.
Finally free of doubt, Crystal walked toward Snow.
“Faster”, Crystal urged.
She trotted, but Snow was still too far away.
“Faster!”, Crystal said.
She cantered, but the distance between them was agony.
“Faster. Faster!” she begged.
She flew across the grass, holding nothing back as she raced for Snow. Though blinded by the brightness before her, Crystal didn’t slow down until, guided only by warmth and joy, she collided with Snow and melted into her soft embrace.
I don’t want to be alone, she pleaded; surrendering to the light.
Then she was floating. She couldn’t see, but she heard giggling and a strange, but happy tune.
********************
“SHadDup!” Crystal moaned, rousing slowly.
“Sorry!” a voice responded.
Suddenly awake, Crystal opened her eyes to find Snow mere inches from her face; looking as if she were about to burst from happiness.
Crystal scowled for a moment in confusion.
Oh. Right.
“You’re still here,” Crystal accused.
Snow just smiled bigger. She tried to say something, but it came out in a giggle instead so she closed her mouth again.
She’s enjoying this a little too much, Crystal griped internally.
“I didn’t really have much choice did I?” she lashed, tapping the mattress with her hoof accusingly.
Snow’s face fell and her ears flipped down. She pushed away, but with the wall behind her, she couldn’t move far. So instead she put her nose down and covered it with her hooves, shutting her eyes tight.
“I… I didn’t want to trouble you,” the muffled voice responded.
“Any more than you already have?” Crystal said, instantly regretted her words.
Snow squeaked, and magically tossed a blanket over herself. The sight was ridiculous and Crystal would have laughed if she wasn’t keenly aware she’d just said something hurtful.
“I meant…” Crystal started. “That you’re already pretty much my roommate,” she said, looking away as if that particular corner on the ceiling had become suddenly fascinating. “We’re f…f…friends,” she blushed. The words hung awkwardly in the silence.
Snow pulled the blanket back with her hooves to peek out from underneath. Crystal saw her from the corner of her eye and faced her again.
“And something like this isn’t something you should from your friend. You should have told me!” she finished.
“But…”
“But nothing,” Crystal said stamping her hoof on the wooden floor for emphasis. “Now tell me; what’s going on?”
Snow raised her head, but clasped her hooves in front of her protectively causing the blanket to form into a hood around her.
“It’s just nightmares,” she replied slowly, looking down and away, her voice trailing off as she spoke.
“Nightmares?” Crystal challenged, pointedly looking to the tear stains before glancing back in Snow’s direction. “What about?” she pressed.
Snow glanced at her and opened her mouth before closing it and looking away again. She repeated this several times before looking at Crystal sadly.
*SIGH*
“Fine, I understand”, Crystal said. “I know you have your own situation to deal with. You don’t have to tell me anything you aren’t comfortable with, but from now on, we sleep together!”
Snow unconsciously leaned forward; a poorly suppressed smile at the edges of her mouth. “You don’t have to do that,” she said unconvincingly.
“How can I tell that green menace that I took good care of you if you can never get a good night’s sleep? Besides,” she said, again touching her hoof to the tearstains on the mattress. “I don’t think the bed can take much more.”
“Well, if you think that’s what we should do,” Snow said levelly before standing and walking to the hall. She tried to hide her smile, but Crystal knew her well enough now that she could see it in her posture and hear it in her voice. And was that the tinkling of tiny bells she heard? She strained her ear and twisted her head looking for the source of the noise, but it eluded her.
“Bah!” she cried, flailing her legs and flipping the blankets. She was only barely up and the day was already full of challenges.
****************
The next day, Crystal had a larger mattress delivered and lightly teased Snow about “not ruining this one too”. Snow laughed it off, but Crystal made good on her word and stayed close from then on. Each night, when Snow’s torment began, Crystal was there with a reassuring touch. Soon, the nightmares became less frequent and then disappeared entirely. They were both finally able to get decent sleep… though far too often, Crystal grumpily awoke to find Snow giggling beside her.
The days went on and Crystal worked with ever increasing focus and determination. The deadline loomed and there was still far too much work to be done.
In response to her host’s foul mood, Snow found excuses to be out for longer and longer periods of time. She still cleaned, handled most meals and cared for the garden, but much of the rest of the time, she was out in the square or exploring who-knows-where.
Of course Crystal knew that Snow was trying to give her creative space, but the longer she was alone, the more uncomfortable she became. As she hammered and chipped the stone away, fine dust obscured colors and choked light from the windows. Shadows grew darker and the greenery of the garden sparkled in contrast… a scene far too similar to a certain dream she hadn’t been able to shake.
Like many of the previous days, Crystal found herself adrift in battlefield where inspiration and restlessness waged war. After scanning the shop and staircase for the umpteenth time and seeing nopony there, she set her tools down in exasperation. She needed a break.
Not that long ago, relief was found by flopping around on the shop floor or lounging about in the garden. But lately, Crystal had taken to standing on the rooftop balcony. Being nearly level with the square above, she was in plain sight of passing ponies who were more often than not shocked to see her outside.
They would offer polite greetings which Crystal would return with noticeable sincerity. The craft-ponies, hesitant and first, tried light conversation and then, encouraged by Crystal’s responsiveness, graduated to gossip and friendly banter.
She asked questions and actually cared about the responses, she learned about their dreams and their challenges; gradually understanding that she’d never really known them at all. The stiff and careful conversations she once had seemed so shallow and meaningless in comparison.
When did I become this pony? Crystal wondered.
Spending time on the balcony exchanging pleasantries with her peers became an unexpected highlight of her day. But despite her change of heart, she originally had a more pressing motive for choosing that particular spot. Standing several hooves above the streets, Crystal had a perfect vantage point for searching the square for her bright roommate.
And so, like so many days before, she scaled the steps; prepared for social interaction though her real hope was that that Snow would be there, that she was close enough to call out to, and that she could come up with some excuse to call her back.
As luck would have it, the square was very lightly populated and she spotted Snow right away; drinking from the fountain. Crystal smiled, leaning her snout on the railing with a happy little sigh. The splashing water would keep Snow from hearing her, but for the moment, Crystal was content to watch.
Why does everything you do seem so wonderful?
Snow lifted her fuzzy snout from the water and then paused for a moment with a satisfied smile. Crystal nearly waved to get her attention but then Snow did something strange… She spoke… to the fountain?
Crystal’s brows furrowed.
She walked to the end of the balcony, keeping her eyes on the white pony. With each step, she moved closer to Snow’s line of sight… and then she noticed the colt standing next to her.
Looking as lovestruck as Crystal had ever seen a pony be, was the young and talented woodmaster’s apprentice, Ash Carver. They were leaning very close, in almost an intimate way as they whispered about something. He must have said something funny, because she laughed and gently brushed his side with a hoof.
Crystal’s whole body tingled, her hooves painfully gripping the railing and her ears laying back of their own accord.
Get away from her! she fumed.
But suddenly, the pieces clicked. So many times in the past week, Crystal had seen Snow entering or exiting the woodshop where he worked. And though it seemed random at the time, Snow had been obsessed with work working recently; going on about carved art and asking “wouldn’t you like some for the shop?”
But that wasn’t all…
***************
(A few days prior)
Crystal woke, relieved to be alone for a change. Not that she didn’t enjoy Snow’s company, but something about the white pony’s obvious glee was unsettling.
She walked down the steps, but paused uncomfortably mid-yawn when she noticed a muffled voice coming from the shop.
Snow doesn’t usually talk to herself does she? she wondered.
She listened as the voice suddenly sounded strange… deeper.
“Snow?” she called out. The voice went sharply silent.
Crystal walked the rest of the way down to the shop, furrowing her brow at the flurry of hoofsteps that met her approach.
“What are you doin…” she started accusingly, but her words died in her throat.
Snow was standing at the edge of the raised wooden floor looking tremendously guilty and doing a poor job at hiding her abnormally fast breathing and the movement behind her.
“G..good morning!” she said suspiciously.
“Good morning. Crystal Quarry. Uh… Please pardon the intrusion,” Ash Carver stammered, stepping out from behind the cornered-looking white pony.
He paused next to her and said, “Thanks for showing me the sculptures” before continuing toward the shop door. He turned the latch, turning briefly to Crystal. “It’s excellent work. Very educational.”
“Aha ha ha! Yes, no problem!” Snow said with unnatural volume. Ash Carver, waved from outside the window before walking up the garden steps to the square.
“What was that about?” Crystal interrogated.
Snow’s ears were down and her face was flushed.
“It’s nothing,” she blurted. “I was just showing him your work. It’s so wonderful after all!” she flattered.
Crystal’s displeasure must have showed because Snow dropped the fake smile and looked at her earnestly.
“It’s true… I really wanted him to see it… them. He’s a really nice pony and didn’t do anything wrong, I swear!”
Crystal winced. All this time, she hoped Snow hadn’t noticed the way she’d been keeping colts at a distance. She didn’t have to take Snow’s word to know that Ash Carver was a good colt. He had always been hardworking, earnest, polite, and proper… of course Snow found a friend in him.
Sure she was seeing too much into it, she let the matter drop. And considering how quickly everything returned to normal, she’d nearly forgotten the whole thing.
*************
Snow suddenly turned Crystal’s way. Just like before, she put on a guilty face and tried to hide Ash Carver; shifting her rump over and pushing him with a hind leg until he stood behind the fountain. Red in the face, she waved to Crystal enthusiastically.
Crystal responded with a forced smile and a weakly waved hoof before turning around and stumbling to the steps. She couldn’t bear to see whatever happened next.
It’s fine Crystal Quarry, she coached herself. You knew that Snow wouldn’t be here forever and you have no right to keep her away from anypony. She’s her own mare!
She missed a step and fell in a heap on the landing by the bedroom.
“Ow.” She said aloud. She rose slowly, the tight knot in her gut suggesting that she’d tumbled harder than normal. But she knew gut impact and this was different.
She couldn’t get the picture of two ponies by the fountain out of her head and more she tried, the tighter and tighter her center became. Her eyes began to water and she started gulping for air.
Get a grip! she scolded herself with confidence she didn’t feel. What business is it of yours if Snow has a coltfriend?
Crystal collapsed on the mattress, bawling like a newborn.
Why? Why does this hurt so much!?