I began packing up the papers on my desk, eager to get home. It was nearly Heathswarming, after all. I paused for a moment. Now that I think of it, Mr. Monochrome has never left his office early on holidays. I know he’s a busy stallion, but doesn’t he have family he could visit? At this thought, I replayed all the past holidays. I would nervously knock on the door to his office, and he would always say ‘Come in’ with a smile in his voice. I would push open the door and he would be there, looking over papers at speeds I hadn’t believed were possible until I saw him work for the first time. His very office smelled of him: ozone with a hint of burnt paper.
He would be smiling, and gesturing me to come closer, asking in his voice, always as smooth and as rich as onyx, how he could help me. And almost always, I would hesitate in his presence. I’ve worked for many ponies in my past. I was a scribe for a lecherous stallion who sent shivers down my spine, and made even my coat stand on end. I was a secretary for a tall mare who always seemed to be looking down on you. I’ve even worked for an actual duke, who held himself like a prince and spoke with authority. Monochrome made these rich ponies of power and nobility seem like nothing more than foals. He spoke calmly, elegantly, charismatically, as if you were his best friend, but his very being exuded…influence. It was as if he held his being back, and I could only see a very small part of him. And of that small part, I could tell he had experienced a lot more. It may have been only a few glimpses, faster than most eyes could see, but his façade fell from time to time.
He has seen joy, he has seen sorrow, he has seen pain. Despite all of this, he made it his duties to take care of me, to make me smile. In a way, he wasn’t just my boss, but my best friend as well. And as his best friend, I let him continue working on the holidays. Not this year, Mister. I stood before the door to his office. I decided to skip formalities and try to surprise him into coming. Pushing open the door, I marched right up to Monochrome, who had his muzzle buried in papers.
“That’s the first time you’ve come in without knocking, Dapperquill.” He smiled. “Is it a special occasion?”
“Actually, yes sir.” The words began to stumble out of my mouth. His presence was already starting to affect me. “It’s Hearthwarming’s Eve. And you’re coming with me to see my family.” Instantly the implications crashed on me. Oh my gosh, I made it sound like I’m interested in him. I mean he’s a fine stallion, and he’s so nice but…NO! Get a hold of yourself Dapperquill!
“Pardon?” Monochrome rose an eyebrow.
“I, um!” I meeped. “Sir, I’ve never seen you celebrate any holiday. Ever.”
“Just because all my employees go home for the holidays doesn’t mean I can, dear.” He sighed.
“But don’t you have any family you could visit? Work isn’t everything, sir.”
“Mother’s the only family I’ve ever had. And now she’s gone to see the world. So, no, I do not.”
“Sir,” I asked, “Didn’t you ever celebrate holidays?”
“I don’t really celebrate holidays. The last time was…it feels like an eternity ago, like it happened in a completely different world. How close we were…But such is the past. Now, I have duties. Work that no holiday can stop.”
“Monochrome…” I approached the desk and put my hoof next to his. “When was the last time you’ve ever had a break?”
And for the first time, I saw Monochrome frown.
“I don’t remember. I’ve always been doing something.” He leaned back in his chair. “I think…yes, a long time ago. It wasn’t very pleasant though.”
I felt as if a fire had ignited in my barrel. I grabbed his hoof and pulled him out of his chair.
“Come on, then. We’ll celebrate Hearthswarming at my parent’s house. My mom was your mom’s secretary anyways, and she was the one who suggested me to you anyways.”
“But Dapperquill, I insist that I ̶ ̶ ”
“No excuses, I will not take ‘no’ for an answer!”
He was quiet after that, and he let me drag him out of the building into the snowy streets. It was only halfway to my parents’ house that I realized something. We’re still holding hooves. I fought off a blush and hurried along a bit faster. Unfortunately, I slipped with a yelp, only to be caught by Monochrome’s velvety, black wings.
“Easy there, Dapperquill.” He smiled. “I think a sprain would put a real damper on Hearthwarmings, don’t you?” I smiled at my reflection in his back goggles. Oh, how I want to see your eyes.
“Th-thanks.” I turned around. “We’re almost there.”
I stood in front of the door, hesitating for a moment before standing straighter and knocking.
“Mom, I’m here! And I brought a guest!”
The door opened and both my mom and dad were there, smiling like this was the best sigh they’ve ever seen.
“Oh, Dappy, it’s so good to see you!” Mom rushed over and hugged me while dad eyed Monochrome.
“Hello, Penstroke.” Monochrome waved. “Your daughter dragged me here, So I suppose I’ll take a break for this evening.”
“My word!” Mom gasped. “Monochrome! You’ve grown so much!”
“I guess I have.” He chuckled. “It’s nice to see you after so long instead of through the occasional letter.”
“I trust you’re treating my daughter well?” Dad asked, cocking an eyebrow as we walked inside.
“Clear! I’ve practically watched him grow up alongside our daughter. Why, ever since he was a foal, you could tell he was Obsidian’s by the way he carried himself. And so well-behaved! Although he was always by his mother’s side.” Penstroke giggled. “Why, your mother was very attached to you. It’s like you two were joined at the hip.”
“Surely you’re exaggerating.” Monochrome chortled, but I got a sense that he already knew.
“Not at all! After Obsidian introduced the two of us, she told me she’d leave on some trip for a while. She was gone for three weeks, longer than she’s ever left the company in my care before. And when she came back, well, I don’t think she came back alone.”
“Mother!” I hissed. “You aren’t seriously talking about his own ̶ ̶ ”
“No need to worry, Dapperquill.” Monochrome patted my withers. “I’m well aware of how I came about. But we can talk more about my line’s eccentricities while I help you cook.”
“No, no, Monochrome.” Mom pushed him out of the kitchen. “You’re a guest here.”
“I insist.”
The night continued on nicely, my brother and sister joining us an hour later. We talked and ate late into the night, Monochrome and I often being the subject of embarrassing pictures Mom had taken.
“Well, it’s almost time for the fireworks.” Dad said, opening the curtains to peek outside. “Drat. There’s a too much cloud cover.”
“What!?” I shrieked. “But I love the fireworks…Can the weather team clean it up or something?”
“I’m afraid not.” Monochrome shook his head. “Weather facilities operate on a very strict schedule. If they change one thing now, they’d have to change the schedule for all the nearby cities for years to come, not to mention the rowdy clouds that might get away.”
“Bummer.” My brother muttered.
My family hung their heads dejectedly. The fireworks that started on the first minute of Hearthswarming was something we all looked forwards to.
“Hey, don’t look so glum…” Monochrome said, but his voice caught when he saw my expression. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
He opened the door and zoomed off. I sighed and sat own on the couch. A cloudy Hearthwarming three years in a row was just too depressing to think about. It was supposed to be clear out so we can marvel at the fireworks twinkling among the stars. We sat there a few minutes before Monochrome came back in with a wide smile.
“You might want to see this.”
We followed him outside to see the clouds still obscuring the sky.
“What are we supposed to ̶ ̶ Woah.”
Colored lights danced on the clouds, forming beautiful patterns and shapes until they formed shapes. And a story in the clouds began to unfold.
“Wow.” I whispered in awe. “Monochrome, how did you do this?”
“Pulled a few strings.” He grinned. “And if you think that’s nice, wait until the music plays, my dear.”
And true to his word, music began to play throughout the city. Ponies began to come outside to witness the spectacle, ooh’s and aah’s echoing throughout Manehatten.
Which then grew into a hope…
I shimmied over to Monochrome, who sat down, staring the skies. I took a nervous breath and sat beside him, basking in his warmth.