A Second Chance

by nimaru

Wall of Stone

Unlike my first escort, Winter Willow cheerfully chatted with me as we walked. She talked proudly about construction of the new city and the spectacular accomplishments they’d made in the last few years, but if Canterlot was new, then that meant…
I looked to the sky where the sun was nearing the horizon. The moon wasn’t yet out and even if it were, I knew what I would see.

This is Equestria’s distant past, I realized sadly. None of the ponies I know and love will be here.

Winter Willow had stopped talking and turned to eye me curiously until she followed my gaze upwards. Seeming to know what I was thinking, she laid a wing gently on my side and smiled encouragingly.

I sighed in resignation and returned the smile to let her know I was alright. Though I was disappointed, it just meant that everything I experienced in the dream would be new and different. Besides, at least Princess Celestia would still be around.

I wonder if I’ll get to meet her eventually…

“Welcome to Artisan’s Square!” Winter Willow exclaimed.

I realized I hadn’t been paying attention and looked around to reorient myself. We were standing in an open square with multi-story buildings in each direction. Each one had large double doors open wide to show bustling workshops inside. In one, I could see stacks of wood that ponies inside were using to make straight timbers. Another glowed brightly and rang with the sounds of metal striking metal. In yet another, a variety of ceramic pots and bowls were on display.

The streets leading to the square were few, but built wide to allow carts loaded with supplies or crafted goods to pass easily. There was plenty of room to accommodate heavy traffic, but it was mostly empty at the moment so we quickly reached our destination.

We stopped in front of a building that looked shorter than the rest at first, but turned out to only be built into the slope leading to a lower part of the city. It was conspicuous both in its unique placement, overall design, and general shabbiness. Unlike the others, it used no sign or markings to invite patronage and the single, standard-sized door at the front was shut tight. I thought that if the building could speak, it would be saying “go away”.

Undeterred, Winter Willow walked straight for the door, knocked on it smartly, and then sat down. She looked immensely pleased with herself and, though it may have been my imagination, I could swear she was chuckling under her breath. I did as she did and sat; awaiting whatever it was that Winter Willow anticipated with such glee.

“Coming!” hollered an exasperated voice from the other side.

Then the door opened, but only a few hoof-widths as a pure white unicorn peeked out suspiciously. She seemed surprised to see me, but I was far more surprised when she noticed Winter Willow and visibly twitched. I’m certain she considered slamming the door shut, but instead simply said, “Oh. It’s you.”

“HelllLLO Crystal Quarry!” Winter Willow replied cheerfully.

As they chatted, I studied the reclusive unicorn. Between the walk to and from the gardens, I’d been able to see a fair stretch of the city and a good number of its residents; none of which were pure white. But other than the pink eyes and shorter hair, this pony was just like me.

“I wondered if that’s why Winter Willow’s brought me here…”

Suddenly, the white unicorn looked my way and said, “So… I guess you’re going to be staying with me for a while. What’s your name?”

“Wouldn’t you usually give your name first?” chided Winter Willow.

Throwing her an annoyed look, Crystal Quarry said, “uh… yeah. Sure. So…” She flipped her hair with her hoof and blew away the cloud of white dust that fell as a result. “I’m Crystal Quarry,” she continued.

I was both intrigued and disappointed to find out that instead of being a pure white pony, she was just very dirty. I couldn’t quite make out the color of her fur and mane, but her pink eyes were staring at me in half-lidded frustration.

“And, you are?” she demanded.

She looked at me expectantly, her dusty mouth pursed into a mask of impatience. She was clearly irritated, but not at all threatening… sort of like an angry kitten. Struck by her adorableness, I couldn’t think of what to say and tried to stall for time. I opened my mouth…

*grUUMMBLEEE!!!* my stomach said instead.

****************

Thanks to the timely diversion, I was able to evade the question and was soon following Crystal down the steps into her house. I should have used the time to come up with some kind of name for myself, but instead I stared at the sparkling glow that shut the door behind us. I knew unicorns could use magic, but that was the first time I’d actually seen it!

I was about to ask her about it when my stomach interrupted again. Real or not, I certainly FEEL hungry, I grumbled inwardly.

Crystal Quarry tersely asked, “when is the last time you ate?”

I thought back, but didn’t know how to answer. I didn’t remember eating before going to bed and I’d spent about half a day in the dream though who knew how time passed here relative to the real world.

“Probably… some time yesterday?” I answered uncertainly.

Her eyes widened slightly and then she turned away. “Heart Healers… HA! Can’t even tell when a pony is hungry” she muttered under her breath.

I couldn’t help but smile. Crystal Quarry was complaining about the nice people… ponies… I’d met earlier, but I could tell there was no real emotion behind her words. She held no malice for the healers, though she obviously had some sort of history with Winter Willow and I resolved to ask her about it when she was in a better mood.

We walked downstairs to a large open room that was divided into two levels. The balcony we stood on opened at the far side of the room to what, judging by the table and cupboards, must have been the kitchen area. Light from the setting sun streamed through the windows on the wall, the largest of which extended from eye-level down to the shop below, looking large enough to drive a cart through. Below that, I could see benches with a smattering of tools and supplies. And, sitting proudly in the center of the room, like an indoor mountain, was a massive block of white marble.

Even though I was on the second level, the stone looked down upon me, nearly touching the high ceiling. Though strictly rectangular, the indents and carved portions explained the white dust that covered my host from nose to tail.

*oof* I said as I rammed into Crystal Quarry’s backside; having failed to notice that she’d stopped.

She whipped her head back to glare at me angrily.

“Sorry!” I deflected. “I just… it’s so big!” I added, gesturing toward the monolith.

Crystal Quarry’s expression softened slightly and she turned to look at it as well.

“It’s a big pain is what it is!” she snorted. “Bah! I’m done with it for tonight anyway,” she added waving a dismissive hoof in its direction. I was amused to notice that small puffs of dust that flew off as she did. “Go ahead and pull out whatever you want,” she added, gesturing towards the kitchen. “I’m going to jump in the fountain”.

Fountain? I wondered.

Meanwhile, she walked back to the stairs and then down to the bottom level where the white giant sat stoically.

I watched until she was out of sight then walked over to the tall window on the far wall. It was peculiar… from the square, her house seemed crowded in and surrounded by city, but from where I stood, it was as if I were in a secluded mountain-side cabin. To the right was the retaining wall for the street leading from Crystal’s front door to the lower city, but most of the rest of my view was of the beautiful royal gardens. On the far side, several hundred feet away, was another part of the city where I could make out the bustle of ponies conducting the last of their daily business.

There was so much to see; so much to do that I felt a pang of regret. I didn't have much experience with these kinds of things, but I strongly suspected the dream would end with nightfall. And with the sun already so low on the horizon, the only thing left to do was make the most of the time I had left.

I turned and studied the eating area. Next to me was one small table and against the wall were many cupboards and a small sink where an old-fashioned water pump rested. On the other side of the kitchen area was a door which I knew must be a pantry or store room.

I was still hungry and debated poking around for food as she’d suggested, but I could hear the running water from outside and curiosity got the better of me. I peeked around the white slab and crouched down.

Peering out the windows and door, I could see a garden, but I didn’t have a good view of Crystal herself. I stretched my neck down, and could just see Crystal’s hooves in the grass in front of a stone basin of some kind. Maybe the fountain she spoke of?

*Clunk, CLATTER!*

“Sorry!” I called instinctively. The pony body moved differently than I was used to and I’d accidentally knocked several items off the table with my tail. In response, Crystal’s hooves disappeared with a noisy splash.

I felt childishly compelled to run downstairs and see what she was doing, but I didn’t want to leave the mess I’d made. I tried several times to lift the bowls magically, but unsurprisingly wanting to do magic wasn’t enough to actually do it. So I attempted to hold the fallen items between my front hooves, but that was about as effective as lifting eggs with broom handles.

After several frustrating failed attempts, I heard another loud splash and saw a towel float magically out into the garden. Crystal Quarry was coming.

I panicked and lifted the cups and bowls with my mouth, setting them noisily back on the table. Only after I replaced the last one did I finally realize:

She’d be more upset about me slobbering on these than finding them on the floor wouldn’t she?

But it was too late. Crystal Quarry just reached the top step as I set the last one down; turning to face her and projecting what I hoped was an aura of innocence.

She walked close and I was finally able to get a good look at the pony beneath the dust. Before she looked like an albino bunny, but now I could see her tan fur with smooth brown hair in her mane and tail. Her pink eyes were staring at me again, accusingly.

“Did you eat already?” she asked.

I stared blankly as my face grew hotter. Then, my stomach saved me again:

*GROWL*

“What have you been doing then?” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. But before she could lecture further, her stomach loudly announced that I wasn’t the only one skipping meals. With a frustrated snort, she turned to magically open the cupboards and told me to grab anything that I wanted while she disappeared into the pantry.

I looked over the foods dubiously. I had no reason to fear breads and dried fruits, but I wasn’t so sure about the more… planty things. I’d jumped in plenty of leaf piles in my day, but never once found the taste pleasant nor appetizing.

But then again…

I raised a hoof and stared at the strange limb; bending it, twisting it, and placing it gently against my chest. Through it, I could feel my fur, the warmth of my skin, and my beating heart. If I could feel so completely… pony… then maybe it would affect my taste as well.

Come to think of it, have I even eaten in dreams before? Did I taste anything when I did?

My musing was interrupted when Crystal returned magically carrying a bowl in front of her as I watched with envy. Next, I watched some carrots floated in from outside and she pulled crackers from the cupboards before simultaneously closing all the doors and setting the food down on the table.

“Can you teach me that!?” I asked wistfully.

I had to struggle not to laugh at the pained face she made. She massaged her forehead for a moment and sighed deeply, but soon composed herself. She suggested that we eat first which, considering how hungry I was, seemed like a good idea.

Crystal fetched us some water and divided the foodstuffs between us before munching absently on a sunflower and staring pensively out the window. Meanwhile, I occupied myself by exploring pony palate.

The carrots were about what I expected, but were fresher and more flavorful than I was used to. Next I braved the sunflower, which, judging by my host’s example, was best eaten whole. Even with the petals and stem mixed in, it was surprisingly edible. It was hard to say if it was hunger making everything taste so good, but either way I was so absorbed by trying new “foods” that I almost jumped when Crystal spoke again:

“You need a name,” she said resolutely. “I can’t just call you “white pony” all the time.”

Before I knew it, I hopped to my feet, pounded my hooves down on the table and nearly shouted, “Can I call you Dusty!?”

Crystal looked surprised for a moment before glancing pointedly at the cup of water I’d spilled in my excitement. Embarrassed, I sat back down and mumbled some weak excuse while I racked my brain.

What was that about!? I lamented, hanging my head shamefully.

I’d been so excited to get a nickname… but why? I peeked at Crystal Quarry through my bangs.

Unlike me, this person… pony… was patient and observant; attributes that were essential for an artist who worked with stone. But the same skill that could visualize beautiful possibilities within stone should also be able to see something in me that I couldn’t. I thought that if she were to give me a name…

But then I thought about when I first met her; covered in white dust that fell in powdery clouds whenever she moved. I think it was back then that I first thought of it, but only after she suggested nicknames did I finally realize that I’d already given her one… and the childish impulse inside jumped at the chance to share it.

I berated myself for several painful seconds until she nonchalantly said, “I don’t mind. Call me Dusty if you want...”

I smiled so widely that my cheeks hurt. I was so relieved that I hadn’t offended her and so happy that she accepted the name that I felt like I was floating. After savoring the feeling for a few moments, I coaxed her back to thinking of a name for me.

I waited in breathless anticipation until she finally said, “I’ll call you Snow… for obvious reasons.”

I struggled to hide my dissapointment. A nickname is supposed to be based on how you see someone; it’s supposed to have meaning and value… like Dusty. I didn’t just carelessly pick the name because she’d been dirty. It was my apology for being disappointed that she wasn’t what I first assumed. It was my admiration for the artistic and dedicated pony I soon found underneath. And it was a testament to my heart’s desire, that somehow I too could wipe my dust away and find something beautiful.

That’s why, to be given a generic name like Snow… I found it hard to hold back the tears. I looked at Dusty and tried to understand what she was thinking; how she could be so careless about something that important.

I blinked.

Suddenly, I was standing in the woods while fat snowflakes fell softly all around me. Even though the moon was hidden behind the clouds, enough light leaked through that I could see the thick blanket of snow on the trees and across the undisturbed meadow. The wind was still and the world was silent… except for the sound of gently falling snow.

I opened my eyes, feeling disoriented, but serene. Scenes of snow falling gently in the moonlight were among my most treasured memories, but the vision I’d seen wasn’t mine. I stared at Dusty face where a moment ago I expected to see hints of teasing or apathy, but instead found a soft and wistful expression.

Suddenly I understood. Most people I knew saw snow as a white inconvenience; just something that got in the way of their daily lives… but Dusty was like me. We knew that snow had potential to bring joy and wonder and move the heart.

I smiled. Even if the name was based mostly on my outward appearance, now I knew that we had something important in common. And that thought filled me with joy.

“I LOVE IT!” I said a little too loudly. “It’s so pretty!” I added more calmly.

“All right Snow”, she said. I felt a little shiver of excitement when she called me by my nickname the first time. “If you’re done, we should probably figure out sleeping arrangements.”

Surprised, I looked outside to find that the sun had already set. I hadn’t even noticed the “fairy lights” that had kept the room bright, but there was no time to examine them. Dusty was finished with her food and was waiting for me.

I gulped down the rest of my food (hoping I wasn’t being too rude in doing so), downed the water, and set the empty cup back on the table.

Satisfied, I sighed happily. It had been a good day.

But then I became aware of an odd sensation that quickly turned into discomfort. Slowly, I began to understand what was happening and with that realization came the cold grip of fear.

Author's Note:

I really thought that these chapters would go faster, and they have to a degree, but I've been re-writing more than I expected. I originally wrote this chapter right after chapter 3 which means that was 14 chapters ago. Apparently, I've already learned a lot about writing and storytelling and had to rewrite large sections before I felt right about uploading this. For one part, it took days of editing and revising until I was finally happy with it. It ended up adding about 1000 words, but I think it's up to par with the rest of what I've been writing. There haven't been any major changes to the characters or story, but I think I did a much better job explaining the scene and emotions this time around.

Comments

[reader238]

so will we finally know why snow cries at night?

[nimaru]

3336721 Yup :) All of that will be revealed.

[reader238]

3310498 it was a nice plot twist though and ingeniously shows the reader at the beginning of the story how a pony with an outside perspective will see a person who just entered their world as a pony. because at the beginning we all thought that snow"s actions were the result of not having her memories because that is what we were told to assume, and now we know something else was up and we get to follow her thought process throughout what is happening