Tears of Snow

by FlashKenshin77

V - In My Life

Snowdrop stared at me, waiting for me to start. I cleared my throat as she sat down next to me.
“I-I’ve only told one other pony the truth...so I might stutter a bit...”
“It’s okay Icy, just take your time.” She said reassuringly.
“Are you sure though? It’s just me rambl-ouch!” I yelped as her hoof poked my patched eye.
“Sorry! I was trying to cover your mouth…” She blushed before moving her hoof down a bit, finally finding my mouth. “Icy, I want to know. So stop trying to stall and let me help...that’s what friends do.” She took her hoof off my mouth, tilting her head to look at me, waiting.
I sighed, closing my eyes. “Well… remember how I said you were my first friend?”
“Yeah...”
“The truth is...my dad didn’t want me to accidentally say our secret.”
“What do you mean?” She asked, baffled.
“Well, like I said earlier, I only told one other pony. And she told the authorities and they were gonna take me away.”
“Take you away? I don’t understand...”
I grabbed her hoof and gently placed it on a bandaid. “The truth is...m-my father... hi-hits me...” I whispered, dragging her hoof all over the bandages.
Her mouth opened wide along with her eyes as she stared at me, the gears in her head working overdrive. “H-how could he do that?” She asked in a quiet voice.
“It’s because this is all my fault.”
“What?!” She said, shaking her head. “Icy, this-”
“I know it is... I... one day back in Manehattan I found a diary up in the attic from my Mom. She was a thief that stole something and my Dad was sent to get her. She hurt him and he must’ve talked her out of something cause it said how she took care of him. Then... it ended with her saying she’s going to have a baby... and nothing.” I faintly smiled. “I asked Dad about it and he was furious... said it was my fault that she isn’t with us now...”
“B-but that doesn’t make any sense!”
“Yes, yes it does! If my mom could be here, she would be but I had to come into the picture and ruin it! He told me how they used to go on adventures and dance... and... and she couldn’t handle being a mother...” I looked away from Snowdrop.
“M-maybe you misread it-”
“I know how to read Snowdrop.”
“Then you must’ve misunderstood-”
“I know what he meant!”
“But how could anypony do that to their own foal!” She yelled back, both of us glaring at each other.
“Snowdrop… for my eighth birthday, all Dad gave me was a slip of paper that said I had to help somepony work with something…”
What?!”
“Yeah… he… he had a debt he couldn’t pay, said it was a medical bill from me and said I had to pay it back… I was a bus colt at the Cherrywood Inn. But it wasn’t that bad, met a few ponies that were nice...” I sighed. “I bet I’m not making any sense.”
She was silent for a moment. “So… he… he hit you and made you work off his debts?” She asked, dumbfounded.
I thought for a moment. “Pretty much, yeah.”
“How… how could you not tell anypony?”
“Honestly, I thought everypony was treated like I was… till I met Ms. Peas.” I faintly smiled as I remembered the green unicorn.
“W-what happened?”
“Ms. Peas was my first grade teacher.” I sighed. “Always seemed to know how to make everypony laugh.” I paused, scratching at the snow. “She could tell something was off with me, always talking to me and trying to make me laugh. One day I was walking home from the inn and she saw me. Asked what I was doing, said I was too young to be working. That day was really bad already. I had gotten into an argument with one of the guest’s colt and he hit me right in the eye. She saw it and I just… started crying like a foal. I felt so useless, crying and complaining to my teacher. She made me wait outside while she dealt with the inn, and when she came back, said I didn’t need to worry about working for them.” I paused for a moment, looking everywhere but at her. “T-the next day, guards showed up at our door, asking to speak with my dad about foal abuse… and one of them recognized him and they let him go… and here we are…”
She was silent, staring at the sky. The clouds were still there, getting ready for another big snowstorm. “But how could he?”
“Yeah but they were mostly my fault-”
“Icy, you need to stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“Blaming yourself. Not everything is your fault.”
I chuckled. “Well this one is.”
“How?”
“Because I was born, he had to pay for medical-”
“Did he have a job?”
I paused, trying to think back. He always seemed to bounce from job to job, always blaming having to take care of me for getting fired. “Y-yes…”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I-I just don’t remember…”
“Icy, we both know that you aren’t the reason everything happened to you.” She looked at me and faintly smiled, tears in her eyes. “When I first started going to school, I would get picked on because I couldn’t see and always ran into things. I always wanted to be alone, so no pony could see me as I failed at the easy stuff… I felt I did something wrong, that’s why I couldn’t see...” She took a deep breath. “When my dad found out, he told me that none of this was my fault and I shouldn’t be mad at myself. ‘There are things that happen that we can’t control nor understand,’ he said. I thought he was just trying to make me feel better but now, I’m not so sure.” She paused. “I’m beginning to think there’s another reason.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“For everything we’ve been through, we haven’t changed. We’re still us… you’re still you and I’m still me.”
“What do you mean? Of course we are.”
“What I meant is we’re not… bitter and cold.” She sighed. “When my grandpa passed away, my grandma became really mean and nasty. She’d yell at the simplest things and get really mad. Mom said that losing grandpa was hard on grandma and her heart grew cold.” She looked at me. “Even with everything that we’ve gone through, we still try. Most ponies won’t do that, they’d only be mean back.”
I paused, my words stuck in the back of my throat. We looked at each other for a few moments before I gently wiped her tears away. “It seems like you’ve thought about this…”
“When you’re always alone, you have plenty of time to think.”
“Well then, I got a promise for you.”
“And what’s that?”
“As long as we’re friends, you’ll never be alone.”
She looked at me, trying to stop tears. “R-really?”
I nodded. “With everything I just said, everything that I’ve done, you’re still here. Everypony I’ve ever met, including my Dad, they all leave. You… you stay with me.”
“Well I can say the same for you too.” We chuckled as I shook my head. “Icy, can I ask you a question?” She asked, scooting closer to me.
“Sure.”
“When you and Cirrus formed that group, why did you let me join? Did you feel sorry for me?”
I thought back, trying to remember. “Honestly yes.” I rested my hoof against her mouth. “But let me finish. Yes, when we first started talking, I did feel bad for you. Then I was angry at myself for complaining about my situation when you have it so much worse. It got me thinking, ‘if she can still be happy, why couldn’t I? Why did I always blame myself? As you can see, I still haven’t found the answer to either problem.”
“You don’t have to have all the answers. That’s what makes life fun. So what you’ve had a horrible foalhood? I mean, it makes you know what it’s like to be on the bottom… so you’ll never do it to anypony else.”
“You do have a point…” I sighed. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Have something to counter everything I say? You know what I need to hear… and just how to say it.”
“That’s easy, because I know how you think. You think a lot like I do and I know what to say to make it sound like a stupid idea.” She smiled. “Besides, you do too… always when I have a problem, you seem to be there, just to help me. Never to make fun of or push deeper in the mud…”
“Hay, somepony has to stick up for others.”
“They do and I’m glad that you help me… more so than you know.” She faintly smiled.
I chuckled. “That sounds oddly familiar, I just can’t place from what though.”
“Oh, I must’ve picked it up somewhere.” She said, resting her head on my shoulder.
We sat there, not talking as the snow drifted down again, the sunlight slowly slipping behind the clouds.
“So…” I started.
“So?” She asked, confused.
“Now that you know everything… are we still friends?” I asked nervously.
“Of course, why would that ever change?”
“Most ponies would leave… saying I carry too much ‘baggage’.”
“Well if you haven’t noticed, I’m not like most ponies. Us ‘baggage carrying’ ponies gotta stick together.” She said, holding out her hoof.
I stared at it for a moment before sighing, shaking my head and bumping her hoof. “You’re a very odd filly.”
“This coming from the colt that’s already had a job.”
“Touche…” I chuckled. “So is everypony still looking for me?”
“No, Mrs. Windith wanted us to go home early, she also cancelled class. It’s supposed to snow heavily today and she didn’t want us to get caught up in it.”
“Oh… wait, why are you still here then?”
“Looking for you, couldn’t leave you out in the snow all night.”
“I would’ve been fine.”
“Icy…” She said, glaring at me.
“Alright, alright.” I said, holding my hooves up defensively as the snow started to come down harder. “Maybe we should get going, don’t wanna be stuck out here.”
“Yeah, good idea. We still have to go back to the classroom for our stuff.” She said as we hurried back to the classroom.
Mrs. Windith turned and watched us rush inside, half covered in snow. “What are you two still doing here? I thought I sent you home early?”
“Yeah, I got lost…” I stuttered.
“I see… Well, you better get home soon before it hits.” She said, packing up. “If you want, I can walk you two home.”
“That’d be great.” We said at the same time.
“Alright, no time like the present.” Windith said, ushering us out of the classroom and locked it up. She led us out of the school, waving goodbye to the few remaining teachers. “So who is closer?”
“I think we’re about the same distance.” I said, scratching my head.
“Okay, how about I drop off Snowdrop first so then I can talk to your dad Icy and she doesn’t have to wait.”
“He’s actually on a work trip…” I mumbled.
Windith stared at me, an eyebrow raised. “So you’re gonna be all by yourself? For how long?” She asked.
I thought for a moment. “I think for the rest of the week. He didn’t really say for how long…”
“Why don’t you stay with us?” Snowdrop butted in.
“I couldn’t, I doubt you want to deal with-” I stopped, frozen by the glare she gave me. It felt as if the world had disappeared, frozen by those ice cold blue eyes. I gulped, slowly nodding. “A-alright, I’d love to… if your parent’s say its okay.”
She smiled and nodded. “Of course they will, I doubt they’d let you stay by yourself anyway.”
Windith shook her head as we walked in silence towards Snowdrop’s house. She looked at the house. “Well, I’ll see you two tomorrow. Have a good night.” She said, heading off towards her own house.
“Thanks again Mrs. Windith!” We said in unison, waving goodbye before we stared silently at each other.
“Um… let me just ask my mom and dad real fast…” She said, rushing inside as I stood on the doorstep, nervously kicking at the floor. For the moment I was alone, I sighed, a weight lifted from my chest. I was glad I could finally tell somepony I guess. I faintly smiled, shaking my head as the door flung open.
Before I could say anything, Primrose grabbed me and dragged me inside. I blinked, the sudden light blinded me as I felt somepony brushing the snow off. She smiled before pulling me into a hug, gently rubbing my back. “You had us so worried, how are you? Are you feeling better?”
I stood there, dumbfounded. “Y-yeah, I’m feeling a lot better.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” She sighed. “Well Snowdrop was telling me that you’d like to spend the night?”
“Uh… if it wouldn’t be too much trouble...”
“Of course not, we’d be more than happy to have you over.” She headed towards the kitchen. “You can leave your saddlebags there, lunch is almost ready.”
I nodded, tossing my saddlebags by the door and went into the kitchen. Snowdrop was setting the table. I watched her for a moment, slightly amazed at what she could do, even being blind. I shook my head, helping her set the rest of the table.
“So Icy, when is your father coming home?” Primrose asked, finishing up a dandelion lettuce sandwich.
“Uh… not sure, he really didn’t say.” I blushed, scratching my neck nervously.
“Well when he does, me and Storm would like to have a little talk with him, if that’s alright.”
“Oh sure, I’ll uh… let him know.”
She nodded, turning around to hoof Snowdrop the sandwich. “So Icy, what would you like for lunch?”
“Just a sandwich will be fine.”
Primrose quickly prepared another sandwich, years of practice making it easy. She set the plate in front of him, his sandwich the same as Snowdrops. She walked over to the fridge and set a plate of sliced apples in between them.
I dug in, my mouth already watering as I savored the first bite. “Thank you very much.” I said, pausing before taking another bite.
“You’re very welcome.” She said, turning back to the sink to finish washing something. “Well you two can sleep in the living room if you’d like.”
“Thanks Mom! Did you hear that Icy? We can build a fort! Or stay up all night and play games…” Snowdrop excitedly went on.
I chuckled, finishing off my sandwich and waited for Snowdrop. We started planning the rest of the day, deciding to play some games before doing our homework. After she finished, we rushed into her room, and dug into our saddlebags, figuring out what our homework was. We put that aside, instead playing some more hide and seek.
She thought she had a good spot, hiding underneath the coffee table. But she didn’t know her tail was sticking out, wagging slowly back and forth. I smiled, walking around and searching everywhere but the table, making over dramatic movements.
Primrose was watching from the kitchen, leaning against the doorway with a smile on her face. She motioned me to get Snowdrop and I quietly snuck up on the filly, making sure I was as silent as possible. I finally slithered my way underneath the coffee table, Snowdrop still not hearing me. I went to poke her in the shoulder, my tongue sticking out slightly.
“Thank you…” She whispered as she turned to stare right at me, my hoof mere inches away.
I jumped, smacking my head against the table and lifted it momentarily off the ground. “For what?” I whispered back, gasping in pain.
“For telling me the truth… I know it must’ve been hard to tell that your dad hits you… especially to somepony you barely know…”
My head throbbed as I gingerly held it. “To be honest, I feel so much better once I told you, it’s like I could finally breath again.”
“Are you okay under there?” Primrose asked, walking closer and bent down.
Snowdrop quickly pulled me on top of her, smiling. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anypony.” She whispered so quietly only I could hear her. “Aww, you caught me! How’d you find me?” She giggled.
I blinked, my brain trying to catch up with everything as Primrose looked underneath the table right at me. She raised an eyebrow as I looked down, staring into Snowdrop’s eyes before I realized I was top of her. I quickly got off, frantically running from underneath the table. “Y-yeah know, your tail was sticking out from u-underneath the table.” I said, shaking my head.
Snowdrop smiled and followed right after me, standing next to me. “Icy, you have a bad lump on your head.” Primrose pointed out, disappearing into the kitchen and came back with an ice pack. She gently placed it on his head. “Now hold it right here for at least fifteen minutes.”
“Alright…” I mumbled as Primrose nodded, heading off upstairs. We walked to the couch and sat down, relaxing in the silence before I coughed. “So… how long did you know I was there for?”
“The entire time, just because I couldn’t see you doesn’t mean I can’t hear you.” She stuck her tongue out at me.
“Oh well excuse me for not being quieter.”
She giggled and rolled her eyes. “What do you wanna do now?”
“Not sure, what do you feel like doing?”
“Well we could always play with some of my toys...”
“Alrighty.” I said, sighing.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just a little tired.” I said, the ice pack numbing my hoof.
She frowned, grabbing a hoof and led me upstairs. She dragged out her toys and tried to keep me awake as we played with some of her dolls. The time flew by as we played house, reenacted a few of our favorite movies scenes, and did our homework. By the time we were finished, Storm had come home and pulled me aside, wanting to talk to me.
“So how are you feeling?” He asked.
“A lot better, thanks for saving me.”
“No problem kid, glad you’re alright.” He said and still knew I was lying. “If you ever need to get something off your chest, you know you can tell me right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, of course…”
He sighed. “Alright, well, go grab Snowdrop and tell her its time for dinner.” He said, walking off towards the kitchen but not before ruffling my mane. I stared at him and shook my head.
I walked back into her room. “Snowdrop, it’s time for dinner.”
“Yay!” She said excitedly, both of us charging downstairs for food.
After eating too much, again, I helped Primrose clean up while Storm spent some time with Snowdrop, her laughter very loud from the living room.
“D-dad stop! I-I can’t breath!” She said through laughing.
“Then you surrender against my tickling prowess?” Storm said in a dramatic fashion.
“N-n-never!”
“Then prepare for my ultimate attack!” He laughed evilly as her laughter rose an octave, the ruffling of wings as she feebly fought against him.
I chuckled as I helped Primrose put away the dishes. “Why don’t you go help her?” Primrose asked.
“I thought I’d be better help in here, don’t wanna get in the way.” I said, putting a plate on the top shelf.
“Nonsense, it sounds like she could use the help.”
We were silent, Snowdrop gasping for air. I smiled, putting another plate down as I rushed to her ‘rescue’. Even catching Storm off guard, we were no match for him, both of us surrendering a while later.
As we caught our breath, Storm shook his head and chuckled. “You two make a good team, you almost got me there.”
“Next time we won’t give up so easily, right Icy?” Snowdrop asked, holding her hoof out for me.
I pounded it. “Course, we’ll get you next time.” I said with a huge grin.
Storm laughed, puffing out his chest. “Then till next time little ones.” He said, laughing evilly as all of us started laughing. Primrose walked in, kissing Storm’s cheek.
“Did you two do your homework?” She asked as we both shook our heads. “Good, then I think we can spoil you a little.” She said, pulling out two cookies from behind her back.
Me and Snowdrop quickly grabbed them and devoured them, sighing as her parents chuckled. Snowdrop grabbed my hoof. “Come on, let’s go back to my room and continue our game!” She said, pulling me along.
I smiled, letting her lead me back to her room as we continued our game of twister. She was better than I thought she’d be, able to contort just right so she could hit the colors. I was impressed, considering I had to tell her where the colors were.
Finally, we were down to the last spin, right hoof green. I was above her and had to move my hoof with hers. I stuck my tongue out, trying to concentrate and not fall. After a few minutes, I got it and smiled, only for my hoof to give out. We both eeped as I fell on top of her, both of us staring at each other. Our faces turned bright red and time seemed to slow down, her blue eyes full of happiness. We both faintly smiling in silence, not sure what to say as Storm opened her bedroom door.
“Hey, it’s time for-” He stopped and I quickly hopped off her.
“Are you alright?” I asked shakily.
“Y-yeah…” She said quietly.
Storm cleared his throat. “Time for you two to go to bed.” He said, leaving the door open behind him.
We looked at each other before we scrambled downstairs, Primrose having already set up the beds on the couches. “Alright you two, let’s go. We got some fun things planned.”
“What are we doing to do?”
“Well if school’s canceled, I thought it’d be fun to watch some movies. Maybe play some games too.”
“That sounds awesome!” We both said at the same, Primrose kissing Snowdrop on the forehead before she hugged me.
“Sleep tight you two.” She said, disappearing upstairs.
“Goodnight!” We yelled, her parent’s door shutting as it went quiet.
Snowdrop turned towards me and yawned. “Guess we should be getting to sleep…”
“Yeah…”
“I can’t believe today went by so fast…” She said.
“Yeah, but it was fun right?”
“Of course!” She turned away. “Goodnight Icy… and thanks for spending the night.”
“Goodnight and thank you for letting me.” I turned to face the couch, wide eyed as I listened to wind hit the house. I was wide awake, my heart beating fast as I heard every noise, every creak of the house settling in for the night. I wasn’t sure how long I stared at the couch, cringing with every rattle of some random pipe. I curled up, trying to hide underneath the covers as I tossed and turned.
“Icy? You ok?” Snowdrop asked, her blanket slipping off.
“Umm… well, n-not really… I’ve never slept over at anypony’s house before… so I’m a bit ne-nervous…” I said hyperventilating.
She was silent, getting up and coming over to sit down on the couch with me. I leaned up, going to say something when she pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. I froze, my face exploding in red. “W-when I’m nervous, my mom would hug me and… um… can I try something?”
“S-sure?”
She cleared her throat.

she sung, her face almost as red as mine.
Her voice was soothing, my heart slowing down as my eyelids grew heavy. I snuggled against her chest, closing my eyes. I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

she sung, gently rocking back and forth as her wings enclosed me.
I tried to stay awake, scooting closer to her, my head rested underneath her chin. Her heartbeat made it hard to stay awake though, the gentle beat making me sink deeper into sleep. “T-thank… you…” I trailed off, finally falling asleep in her hooves, her wings warming both of us.