//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Silent Dreamweaver // by -Brutus //------------------------------// Warmth... A feeling that some ponies take for granted. To some it was meaningless word and feeling. He can get it from many sources- a fire or the sun, Silent highly regarded it because this warmth that you can only get from other ponies because it made him feel safe; feel like he could go against the world with this warmth. However, the only thing that Silent could describe at this moment was a mixture of disgust and shock, yet is betrayed by this new warmth from genuine gesture this lavender mare just offered to him. The last thing he remembered before getting tackled and hugged furiously was Twilight pushing her parchment and quill away just as she had begun writing. At first, the purple Unicorn froze for a second- she seem very cautious of her actions and something was weighing heavily on her mind. Then, without any warning, Twilight cried out something that the deaf stallion was able to make out, much to his surprise. “I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” What she did next surprised him even further; she lunged at him, wrapping her forehoofs around him tightly and burying her face in his chest, beginning to sob lightly. Her tears made small wet spots on Silent's black turtleneck. Silent wanted to push the suddenly affectionate Unicorn off of him. He wanted to make her leave, but his mind swam under her embrace, causing him to lie there and merely enjoy it. This was something that Silent had not felt for a long time. His mind began to flashback the last time he felt this warmth, the very last time he felt innocent- it was also last time Silent could remember his father being.. well, a loving father. Silent walked into his bedroom that summer night and she was stripping his pastel, magic-weaved patterned wallpaper from his bedroom walls, making room for the much more sophisticated, striped wallpaper that Silent and his mother had chosen together. It was almost dark, so she had one of those work lamps from the garage pointing to the wall. Silent sat on his bed and babbled on to his Mom about this first mare he ever liked; how beautiful that filly was, with blue eyes and blue coat with white mane contrasting against each other. She quietly listened, nodding her head and putting strips of his little foal wallpaper into a garbage bin with her magic. He wished that he could have thanked her for working her hoof and horn to the bone to make his room look great. For taking the time to shop for new wallpaper and bedding and make sure everything was exactly as Silent wanted it. For listening to his colt stories. But being a foal, he didn’t see much past school, girls, and kisses. She knew that; It made her happy. Silent's mother was always like that with him. She did quiet and thoughtful things for him and his father and didn't ask much of us in return- just that we remain being happy and move forward in our lives. Silent could remember reading a book awhile ago and in it was a quote about one of the main characters.He read it repeatedly, feeling the tears stream down his cheeks as he realized that this quote was the embodiment of his mother: “. . . a mare who will make small demands on life, who will never burden others, who will never let on that she too had sorrows, disappointments, dreams that have been ridiculed. A mare who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint, her grace not sullied, but shaped by the turbulence that washes over her." Five years had since she passed away- very quietly in the middle of night but not before Silent and his father, as well as their extended families, had all said our goodbyes in weeks prior. Silent's father was in and out of sleep in the chair next to her, his feet propped up on the bed, hoof crossed as if it were an ordinary couch nap... If only that were the case. And he, after saying his final goodbyes, had laid next to her. Quietly, enduring without complaint and never burdening anypony is how she lived her life. And how she ended it. The dull ache of missing her is never gone. He feels it every moment, just as powerful as it was the day she passed away. Silent always tried to avoid thinking of her smile or laugh or his father being a father; his hatred of world would bubble up within him. After her death, it was like she took half of his father to the grave. After that day, he stopped being a father. At least Silent was thankful that he didn't beat him...much, but he became so unstable; even a slight mention of his dead lover sent him over the edge. Silent and his father's relationship became heavily strained, and fighting in that household became just another daily ritual. Silent hated remembering her confusion, her frail body, her bald head, her inability to communicate well, the dementia, the overwhelming worry that she had- regrets and sorrows and fear . . . well, that serves no purpose for him. It could never bring a smile or gratitude like the wallpaper memory could. Silent's brief trip on memory lane ended when he felt his body getting lighter. Twilight was looking at him, fearful of the consequences that would unfold due to her bravado. The deaf stallion still hated to think about his mother or his happier days, but for first time in while he felt he could let it slide. Warmth... Silent finally remembered a little bit of what that word it meant to him; looking down at Twilight, he could feel his green eyes getting misty. At least right now, against his guard and conscience, Silent decided to do something that he would never do- especially not after getting betrayed by his friends few years back. The deaf Unicorn pointed his hoof at the empty chair that Twilight occupied earlier. Silent began gesturing Twilight to take a seat while wiping his misty eyes off with his forehoof. Pulling out the parchment off the table and stated his decision on the piece of paper. All right, Twilight. I've decided to give you a chance at having a friendship with me. Just one chance. Silent turned over the parchment before handing over her quill with diligence, ensuring Twilight was paying attention. The purple Unicorn began to nervously glance over the paper; she knew that she was still riding on very flimsy hope- not after what she did to Silent. In last few days; even now Twilight still wanted to ask Silent many questions about him. What kind of spell that he used on that book when she found him other day? Silent's cutie mark was another subject on her mind; it was of dream cloud, one light cloud with a black cloud behind it, but is afraid to ask due to possibility of losing her new friend for second time. Twilight gasped and her face lit up with huge smile; her flimsy hope had paid off! In a typical mare reaction, she began to squeal loudly, smiling wildly, and then trying her best to calm herself down when writing her reply, her eyes unwavering on the paper. However, Twilight decided to make sure that she wouldn't reveal her new-found feelings toward Silent out of fear of driving him away. Silent just took up his unopened vodka bottle, unscrewing then took a first sip out of it while he waited. Thank you Silent, I'll be sure to take a good use of this chance. Thank you so much... Twilight paused for second, figuring out what to write next; slowly it came into her mind as her horn pushed the quill back into life; fighting off the awkward atmosphere that have been built. Twilight suddenly remembered the parts of her beloved mentor's reply, her mind reciting exactly what it said. “With my jest out of the way, the best I can offer is to be his friend. Ask him out to do things, learn about him naturally and he might open up to you and tell you his secrets and what troubles him. In time, you will learn something about friendship, and I shall be expecting that letter with baited breath.” Twilight's horn began to flow in light purple once again, sending the quill through series of movements on the paper, Silent waiting patiently for her to be done. Not soon after, Twilight handed the parchment over to him; the new purple companion's hoofwriting is very pleasant to look at unlike Silent's simple writing. Silent's eyebrow raised as he began to read. I would like to start over again, which brings me to ask you this. Would you like to go out right now for a dinner? Maybe learn little more about each other..that is if you want. I'm paying for it all, maybe I could try that delicious hayburger that you had the last time! The purple mare remained in her seat, a huge smile creeping up on Twilight’s face because of Silent's forgiveness and she hoped that this new friendship will go smoothly. Snapping to attention when Silent looked up after reading her reply- her mention of food made deaf stallion let out a embarrassed chuckle when his stomach growled loudly. It occurred to Silent that Twilight asked him out for dinner...what does it mean? The deaf Unicorn decided to not look at it any further when another thought interrupted his thinking. Wait..dinner? What time is it right now? Silent muttered to himself while climbing off his chair, to the puzzlement of Twilight. Opening the window curtains with his magic; noticing the night sky which was adorned with moonlight filtered through some clouds amid thousand stars twinkled in the background. It was a very serene scene, looking behind him briefly when he felt hoofsteps, watching the purple Unicorn trotting behind him with blighted face. Twilight said something, though the deaf stallion held his hoof up then shook his face, signaling that he didn't understand; immediately she levitated the paper to herself and got to work on addressing him. Do you like stargazing? I can tell from the look that you have on your face. I love it, I have millions of books on it; would you like to watch it together? Maybe I could teach you a thing or two about stars and star constellations! Maybe more... Finally, some common ground to go along with. Silent nodded and chuckled, gesturing for the parchment. Twilight compiled his request, handing over the parchment over to him, excited about prospect of teaching something to somepony rather than keeping her knowledge to herself. I absolutely love Princess Luna's night; when I stargaze, something about it radiates peace. Calm and quiet. These days I stargaze to get away from everything, you know? I stargaze because I think that it was and is saying everything may seem cold and dark to me and many others like you- you are alone, yet you aren't alone. The moon on other hoof; it contradicts what I said, since it symbolizes that someday there will be somepony that will be like moon- watching over you, loving you no matter who you are and big part of your life. Anyway, I will take up your offer. Let's go stargazing after dinner, all right? With that, he handed over the paper back to lavender Unicorn and trotted back up to his saddlebag putting his vodka bottle back in, withdrawing some bits just in case. Something of an idea popped up in Silent's mind which would pass some time and probably make the communication easier between two; the question is would she be willing to learn it or have patience for it? Snapping out of his reverie, Silent gesturing for the door which Twilight understood as she began to trot out the door, already packed up everything that she brought with her except for two articles- a parchment and quill. Pausing on the way out of the room, Twilight handed over the folded parchment to Silent. I never thought about Princess Luna’s night that way before. Silent simply shrugged and began to leave with Twilight. Ensuring the door was locked, Silent and his new friend went outside. Twilight was leading the way once again to that restaurant that they went to yesterday; Silent's eyes kept wandering around at building, objects that were difficult to see in the dark then upwards to millions of glittering stars surrounding the moon above him. He looked back at Twilight and noticed that she was staring at him, but as soon he made a eye contact, she turned away quickly, trying her hardest to keep her eyes ahead. A little bit of confusion settled into Silent, but he decided to not read too much into it, changing his gait to keep up with Twilight. What the hay? Whatever...ugh so hungry, that hayburger is calling out to me. Needless to say, the new-found friends arrived at the very same cafè, though instead of eating outside like they did yesterday, instead they walked into that restaurant. Silent let out a sigh of relief when heated air washed over him, getting rid of the cold that they both suffered on their way from Ponyville Hotel. Twilight smiled at Silent, going ahead and speaking to the waiter which prompted him to look at direction where deaf Unicorn was at. Silent noticed that it was the same waiter that served them yesterday. The waiter glanced over at Silent with his blue eyes, waving his light cream hoof over and signaling that he is serving them now; then he led both into available table, levitating the menu as they took their seats respectively. Twilight and Silent shook their head at the waiter; both already knowing their order: hayburgers. Both of the Unicorn chuckled when they realized that they expressed same thing synonymously. Silent then did a wave that tells Twilight “go ahead and order for us”; Twilight nodded- acknowledging it before giving her full attention at the waiter which not moments later he trotted off with their orders. A purple glow encased the quill, initiating to write something; Silent held his hoof out to stop her from writing and asked for the quill then a parchment, remembering what he thought up back in the hotel room. Silent’s horn gleamed in green taking over the communication means, Since you’re teaching me “a thing or two” about stargazing, I think I could teach you “a thing or two” about Equestria Sign Language. It is what us deaf ponies use to communicate with each other, although it is rather rare for me to use it since I don’t have any good opportunities to use it. Twilight enthusiastically accepted the offer, and they began bantering back and forth. Silent started off slow at first, beginning with basic sign language- Twilight made sure to pay attention, taking notes on her new parchment on series of signs that Silent called Equestria Sign Language, or known as ESL. “Hello.” “Good-bye.” “How are you?” “I’m fine.” “Yes.” “No.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” At Twilight’s request, Silent taught her how to sign “Princess Celestia” and “Princess Luna”, which was series of signs showing the status that both Princesses held then signed the celestial bodies that was related to either sister. Twilight was so excited to learn new things; she kept practicing the basic signs that Silent just taught her before starting moving on into less of words and into basic sentences, but got interrupted by the waiter holding the tray containing hayburgers, side orders of salads, and drinks. They ate together in peace, passing the time by talking about sign language and star constellations. After few minutes, the plates were clean and the table was cluttered with various empty cups. The waiter ushered over when Twilight waved him over, and spoke few words which the deaf stallion assumed that it was her asking for the bill. Twilight didn’t finish her second hayburger and tried to offer it to Silent- much to his dismay; his stomach kicked him once reminding of how full he was; weakly waving it off then the deaf Unicorn rushed off to do his business in cafè’s bathroom while his new purple companion borne the expense of their dinner. Stepping out into the cold air, after the bill have been settled with- Twilight guided Silent through the Ponyville through the dark; there was barely any visible light sources expect some lights escaping out of house’s windows. After about two miles there was no more light pollution- the deaf Unicorn and scholarly Unicorn laid down on the grass with small space between them. Twilight began to teach the deaf stallion with star constellations as best she could from memory. The quill came to life as Twilight pointed the area of sky to Silent, while explaining it to him That’s the Canes Venatici, it shows the dogs hunting something. Leo Minor! Can you see it from there and there? Silent shook his head, and Twilight pointed him in the direction of the star constellation she was trying to show. See, there? Does it look like a lion cub? Squinting his eyes, connecting the dots very carefully; slowly he could see the rough shape of a lion cub- smirking when he finally figured it out. It went like this for couple of hours, bantering back and forth; teaching and learning the sign language and star constellations. Both of the Unicorns managed to have a fire started then going with their magic when the temperatures dropped some. The subject gradually changed as Twilight revealed more about herself, as per her Instructor’s suggestions. Twilight first told Silent about how she first saw Princess Celestia’s sun rising and inspired her to learn everything about magic, she could spend hours and hours reading books on every subject she could think of. Time skip to year later of how she earned her Cutie Mark through a magic mishap caused by Rainbow Dash’s sonicboom and got enrolled into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Youngsters; it was also the day when Twilight became Princess Celestia’s protege. Twilight skipped the story to the of how she came into Ponyville after discovering the threat against Equestria in form of Nightmare Moon and happened afterwards of how she met all her now friends: Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity along with a few other ponies like Derpy Hooves, Lyra, and Bon-Bon. While Twilight was on the subject, still writing on the parchment about the aforementioned life story of how her Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s wedding went crazy; with all changelings and Queen Chrysalis’s assault on Canterlot and Princess Celestia. While she was on the subject of her family, she kept writing and didn’t think ahead before she wrote the question for Silent. “What was your family like?” Twilight instantly cringed; realizing her mistake only mere seconds after handing over the paper with her stories of her life and family and her question at the bottom. Silent’s demeanor changed flipped around. Twilight found herself getting stared down by Silent, afraid of what will come. Happy Belated Birthday Fimfiction! Cheers! [Fuck you and your cliffhangers! XD Otherwise, brilliant story as always and I await the next chapter.] - MrMinimi