Hearth Fire was trotting back and forth impatiently, a habit she did often out of nervousness. Silver Wind just let out a quiet chuckle at Hearth Fire’s pacing, but he understood how nervous she was. At the present moment they were waiting for Rarity at a café in one of the local gardens, it was Rarity’s idea to meet up in a familiar area.
The gardens themselves were a beautiful place to behold; it was an eyeful of vibrant colours provided by the various plants arranged in various patterns and displays. Hearth Fire had expressed plenty of worry about being discovered by Flash Lance or Midnight Gleam as the gardens they were in was a place they often frequented, not only by them but plenty of ponies that she went to college with.
“Oh Darling, it’s so lovely to see you again.” Rarity greeted them warmly, she took note of Hearth Fire’s pacing, “Oh my, I’m not late am I? I’m so sorry.”
“No you’re here on time, Hearth Fire is to be frank…a nervous wreck.” Silver Wind explained, “She has a habit of pacing when she’s nervous.” Rarity let out a small smile, and trotted over to Hearth Fire.
“Hearth Fire, Darling it’s going to be okay.” Rarity reassured: Hearth Fire just nodded slowly, “Now come Darling take a seat, I imagine we have a lot to discuss today.” We all took a seat at a nearest table available, and made our orders.
“Before we start I have a question to ask Rarity.” Silver Wind spoke up, “Why are you offering to help Hearth Fire, no offense but why her of all ponies?” Rarity took a moment to compose herself as she sipped her herbal tea.
“Well a few years ago my younger sister Sweetie Belle attended school with a young colt called Snails who later became a friend of my sister. At the time I didn’t think there was anything unusual about him, but later I would find out about a secret he had kept hidden from everypony.” Rarity explained.
“What happened?” I asked,
“You see Snails, or rather Glitter Shell had decided to skip school to got to the Ponyville spa. The poor dear was confused to what she was at the time, and frightened considering what she told me about her parents. She was even more worried about how her friends would react, but luckily Sweetie Belle and young colt called Aero was there for her every step of the way. Eventually his teacher Cherille and I decided to take matters into our hooves regarding the problem, and soon enough Glitter was able to start her hormonal replacement therapy and eventually have the operation.” Rarity frowned for a moment.
“I take it there was a problem.” Silver Wind commented Rarity just nodded in response.
“Yes unfortunately, some of the other foals her age were nothing more than just awful to her, and her parents…” Rarity hesitated for moment, “Had decided to throw her out on the streets, and called her things I won’t dare to repeat. Thankfully though Cherille had offered to take her in, eventually I offered her the same offer I’m making you know and took her in as an apprentice.”
“So what exactly are the details of your offer?” Silver Wind asked.
“My offer is simple; I’m often going back and forth between my store here and the one back in Ponyville so I need somepony here to help run the store while I’m away. Hearth Fire here clearly has the talent for the job and in addition I’ll guide her through everything in becoming a mare full time and eventually the operation itself.” Rarity explained the details of her offer, “I know what you’re probably thinking, but I assure you I’m sincere in my offer. As for why I am doing all this? Well I’ve seen how something like this can be so hard to deal with, and after what happened with Glitter Shell that is something I won’t allow to happen again…let’s just leave it at that if you don’t mind.”
“We understand Rarity I’m won’t force the issue any further.” Silver Wind replied; Rarity took a sip of her herbal tea and glanced in Hearth Fire’s direction.
“So dear, may I ask why you want to be a mare?” Hearth Fire froze; to be honest she had very little idea herself, to her it was more of a feeling than reason why. Rarity remained silent awaiting a response from Hearth Fire.
“…I-I really don’t know how to answer that Rarity…” I answered, “It’s really been more of a feeling for me…and not one I can explain easily I’m afraid.” Rarity allowed herself a small smile.
“Don’t worry darling I’m won’t judge you for that, and quite frankly I don’t understand why other ponies are so judgemental on the subject.” Rarity stated, a small warm smile never left her lips once as she spoke. “You are who you are and there is nothing wrong in being true to yourself. I won’t sugar coat this dear but the road ahead of you will be a hard one, and many may not take too kindly to it.” Rarity paused for a moment to take a sip of her tea, “But you have ponies that will standby and support your decision, I’m very sure that your coltfriend would agree with me there.” I looked towards Silver Wind who just nodded in response.
We chatted for over an hour, Rarity took the time to get know Silver Wind and I better. Rarity told me I would begin working with her at the boutique starting from next week; she explained to me that going full time would be a slow process, as we both decided to take one step at a time and eventually it would go to my attending of college as Hearth Fire. The idea of this made me understandably nervous, living as a mare in my own home was one thing I could do already as I had my privacy, but living in stealth would be a something I would eventually have to do one way or another.
To be honest with you all…I’m scared, but I imagine anypony in my situation would be. My parents called me all sorts of names when they found out, which eventually amounted to being thrown out of my parent’s home but I won’t blame them for being disgusted with me. They don’t understand but I won’t blame them for it, I dearly wish I could get them to understand but how can I when I don’t understand myself.
I tried my hardest to be what they wanted in a son and in a way I succeeded and failed. Kindling Spark may as well be dead now, I am Hearth Fire now. I am who I am nothing more and nothing less because of it, even if I don’t understand it myself.