//------------------------------// // Decisions, Decisions. // Story: The Mirror and the Mare // by RefugeInSilence //------------------------------// The apartment door locked with a soft click, it was still early and Silver Wind wouldn’t be back for a while yet so I was alone with my thoughts. Rarity’s offer rang through my head and to be honest…I was a little scared, on one hoof I would be gaining the opportunity to be who I really am…but on the other how will everypony react to me if I came out and the world saw me for who I really am… “You know fine well what could happen don’t you?” Oh I knew what could happen alright…one wrong move is all that’s needed to bring the world down on my shoulders. I saw how Flash Lance reacted to that poor pony coming out of the closet, I know that look of anger when I see it. “You can’t be both; you’re not that kind of pony and we both know that. You’re as much a mare as every other out there in the world, true our path won’t be an easy one but it never is, is it?” Sometimes I really do wonder how I got this far, I mean with all the hiding and the sneaking around…I must seem like a coward, doing everything I can to keep everything from falling apart around me. “Then let the world burn…you’re just holding yourself back in the end, just let go and drop the restraints. You know as I well as I do that’s the only reason you haven’t got a cutie mark.” I just looked at the mirror in front of me, I just chuckled bitterly at my reflection and I thought I had outgrown that particular habit. I remained where I was a few moments more before I stepped into the living room, “I might as well get some work done those concepts aren’t going to draw themselves.” I muttered to myself. I must have been working for a couple of hours, going through various designs and sketches but they just seemed to be lacking something and at this point it was just leaving me frustrated, sighing I decided leave the project for now as I wasn’t going to achieve anything as I am now. Silver Wind returned an hour later, locking the door behind him. He let out a small chuckle when he saw me curled up on the living room sofa asleep, looking at the clock he realised it was past midnight. He woke me up gently with a light kiss on my forehead. “Mm…?” I let out a small yawn as I slow woke up, a light blush appeared on my cheeks as I realised who it was. “…Morning Silver, when did you get back?” “Just now Hearth Fire, why don’t we climb into bed I doubt that sofa is that comfy for sleeping on.” I just nodded sleepily as I rubbed my eyes with my fore hooves. Silver Wind led me into our bedroom and gave me a content smile as I crawled into bed and hugged him. “So…how did the chat with Rarity go?” “Mm…She made me an offer and I told her that I would think about it…” I let out another yawn, “…Mm tired now…I’ll tell you more tomorrow honey…g’night.” Silver Wind kissed me goodnight and soon fell asleep himself. Elsewhere in another part of Canterlot, Flash Lance sat in the college campus bar deep in thought he wasn’t paying much attention to the ponies around him because something felt off to him with his earlier encounter with Silver Wind. Midnight Gleam gave Flash Lance a concerned look she knew fine well he never was one to so deep in thought, if anything she put that as more Kindling Spark’s thing. “Flash what’s wrong? You haven’t even touched your drink.” She asked, Flash Lance snapped out of his thoughts and gave Midnight Gleam a raised brow in confusion before realising what she had meant. “…Sorry I‘ve just got something on my mind right now.” He explained, “It’s just something Silver Wind said earlier that’s all.” Midnight Gleam wasn’t sure what to make of it. “Why? What did he say?” She asked worried, “Surely something hadn’t happened between them?” She certainly hoped that wasn’t the case, they were practically best friends weren’t they? “I just asked him if he knew where Kindling Spark lived.” Flash Lance explained, “I mean we’re his friend’s right? For as long as we have known him we don’t even know where Kindling even lives or for that matter where Silver wind does either.” Midnight Gleam came to the realisation Flash Lance was getting at. “Kindling Spark I could understand, he doesn’t strike me as the most social of ponies but Silver Wind? That’s a whole different case altogether.” Flash Lance just nodded. “It’s not that I have anything against that but it feels like he’s hiding something that’s all.” Flash Lance stated simply. “Well why don’t we just ask them in the morning?” Midnight Gleam suggested, “They’re usually seen together…aren’t…they…” Flash Lance gave Midnight Gleam a worried look. “Oh my Celestia! You don’t think they’re a couple do you?” “W-Wha?” Flash Lance just shook his head dismissively, “Trust me Silver Wind isn’t like that and neither is Kindling Spark, I’ve known them for years I think I would know.” Midnight Gleam just frowned. “Tell you what why don’t we just ask them both and find out.” Flash Lance just shrugged and decided to go with her idea just to humour her, he knew fine well how that will turn out. When the morning came Silver Wind offered to take me out for breakfast at one of the local cafés in the market, which I took him up on. It didn’t take me long to pick out an outfit and put on my make-up. He took me to a simple and quiet café not far off the Carousel Boutique, it was still early so I wasn’t as busy as it usually was. “So what did Rarity offer you then?” Silver Wind asked, before taking a sip of his coffee. “She offered me an apprenticeship as seamstress and designer.” I explained to him, “I think she might have something else in mind as well.” Silver Wind considered this for a moment. “And if you consider she knows about me…do you think she might help me with my transition?” I asked hopefully. “If what I’ve heard about her is true then I would say that it is a possibility.” Silver Wind commented, before getting a serious expression on his face. “You do know what that would mean don’t you?” I nodded slowly. “I would have to come out to everypony wouldn’t I?” It was more of a statement than a question, “But what about you?” I asked. “Hearth Fire…Honey, you know I’ll be there every step of the way with you.” Silver Wind reassured me, “As for me I really am not bothered if I come out or not, you know fine well I’m pansexual and that I love you no matter what gender you are.” I blushed heavily at his comment. “Hey Silver Wind!” A familiar voice called out. It was Flash Lance and Midnight Gleam, I inwardly panicked I was going to be found out I just know it! “S-Silver what do I do?” I whispered nervously, he just gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, leave the talking to me.” He whispered back. Flash Lance and Midnight Gleam made their way over to us. Midnight Gleam gave me a once over clearly not happy with the conclusion she was drawing up in her mind. “Who’s this Silver?” Midnight asked, she silently hoped that I wasn’t his marefriend. “Guys this is my marefriend Hearth Fire.” Silver Wind introduced me, “Honey these are my friends Flash Lance and Midnight Gleam.” “I-It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I greeted in a feminine voice. Inwardly I was thankful for all the practice I did to get my voice right. Flash Lance gave Silver Wind a knowing smirk and gave him a brohoof, while Midnight Gleam gave me a disapproving look. “Silver Wind you sly dog, is she why you’ve been so busy lately?” Flash Lance asked, Silver Wind let out a chuckle. Midnight Gleam just kept her eyes on me, as if she was trying to analyse me and figure me out. It didn’t help that she was making me more nervous, I never was good in situations like this. “Please don’t read me! Please don’t read me!” I repeated in my head like a mantra my very life depended on. “More or less.” Silver Wind replied, “Work too but you already know what my jobs like.” Flash Lance just shivered at the memory, Midnight Gleam wasn’t happy with that piece of information Silver Wind had just told them if that frown on her face was any indication. “Anyway you wouldn’t know where Kindling Spark lives do you?” Midnight Gleam asked, “It’s kind of important we know where he lives.” Silver Wind just shrugged. “Beats me, he pretty much disappears when he wants to so…sorry I really can’t help you there.” Silver Wind said simply, “I haven’t seen him in a while actually.” Sighing Midnight Gleam and Flash Lance said their goodbyes and left us in peace. “You didn’t have to lie to our friends on my behalf honey.” I stated but Silver Wind just smirked. “Who said I was lying?” He chuckled, “Anyway what are you going to do about Rarity’s offer?” I thought for a moment weighing my options. Knowing I had the support of my coltfriend is a relief for me. “You know I might just take Rarity up on that offer…”