//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Love is Strange 
// by PaisleyPerson 
//------------------------------//


Prologue


On a day such as this, you would expect the streets of Canterlot to be empty; it was the start of January, and the roads still gleamed from the slushy snow and black ice. Frost coated windows, signs, and whatever other surface would tolerate its frozen embrace. The skies were gray and gloomy, but the sun was just beginning to wink through the misty clouds. Even this miniscule amount of light added no warmth to the subzero temperatures. No pony in their right mind would be out in this weather. 

Yet, despite the artic conditions, a group had indeed gathered before a shiny new building. The proud brick structure had recently taken up residence in a rather run-down part of the city. It was surrounded by decaying businesses and dangerously collapsing homes. In comparison, the newly acquired architecture looked as though it had been deposited in the middle of a dump. So why would one commission the construction of such a grandiose building in such a slum, you ask? Well, in this particular instance, such poor judgment could be blamed on sentiment. This was where his story had started, after all... and where it had ended.

The pompous ribbons, banners and collections of blue balloons draped over the shoulders of the building should have produced a happy atmosphere, and indeed, most of the voices clustered there suggested a time for celebration. But in all the jumble of faces and voices, there was one who refused to join in the festivity. Instead, she stared glumly up at the central banner. “Alleyway Orphanage, Grand Opening,” it read in bold black lettering. The first portion of the title was repeated underneath in more permanent signage with flourishing, golden letters.

Her dreary disposition had not gone unnoticed, and a few attempted words of encouragement or congratulations. This was her big day, after all. But Mindy heard none of it. She tuned them all out, electing to remain where she was and continue to stare up at the banners. Mules could be so stubborn, after all. Most of the ponies in attendance opted to give up and enjoy the refreshments without her. Most.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Mindy’s ear finally twitched, and her head swiveled a fraction of a degree. She didn’t need to turn around to recognize that voice.

“Three Cheese.” Condensation escaped into the night air as she shakily choked out the name. “You made it.”

“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” 

“And you brought your wife.” At last, the mule turned to properly greet her guests. The rest of the assembly had attended as a mere formality, or perhaps even just for the catering, and Mindy knew these were the only two besides herself that wanted to be there. Three Cheese and Paw Print were the only friends Mindy had, but at the same time, they were the only company she needed. 

“Here, Mindy. You’ll catch cold.” The pegasus mare had a hunch that Mindy wouldn’t be taking proper care of herself, and had packed an extra scarf just in case. She made no move to accept or reject the garment, so Paw Print tucked it snugly around the mule’s neck. 

“He loved you, you know.” A heavy hoof came to rest on Mindy’s shoulder, and the contact prompted a physical jolt as she hacked out a sob. Three Cheese swiftly reached out to catch her before she crashed down to the pavement. 

“H-He was all I h-had.” A dark streak of water crept down the mule’s cheek. It wasn’t fair. He’d been so young, so innocent. He’d never done anything to deserve such a bitter fate. How could those ponies have been so cruel? Taking the life of a sweet...

Where the crowded lot had fallen silent, Mindy’s irregular wheezing and wailing filled the void. By the grace of fate, destiny, or whatever supernatural force had brought them together, she found him. And then they had taken him away.

“It’s alright. It’s going to be alright.” Cheese used the end of the scarf to wipe away her tears, and gently lifted her chin. Sniffling, she gazed into his kind golden eyes- eyes weighed down with grief. Cheese had looked so much younger just a year ago. Hay, what had happened to him? To all of them? Memories began flooding back to Mindy. There was a time when she used to be perfectly content living the single life, when Paw Print didn’t have a care in the world, when you couldn’t find Cheese without a smile on his face. Mindy almost wished she could go back to the day she first met them. It seemed so long ago, now.