Hearts and Hooves Day
The Flame Which Warms the Heart
Written by RedSpark
A slow, cold breeze passed through the great capital of Equestria. The sun had just begun to rose into the sky, filling slowly the land with its light and warmth. The last stars faded away as it was placed on the sky by the princess of the sun, its light beginning a new day.
All around Canterlot ponies where beginning their day´s routine. An old blue unicorn stallion walked slowly reading a piece of parchment with the royal seal as he walked over to a bank, reading the parchment carefully, but not looking anywhere else. Not far away, a grey earth pony mare opened her restaurant, letting her first costumers in greeting them with a wide smile. A Pegasus flew by, as he was late for his weather duties… In all, it was a normal Canterlotian morning… almost.
There were red banners hanging around the main square in front of the palace, as well as red garments all around the city. Why the red color? Well, it was Hearts and Hooves day of course. In fact, the city´s main square stores where not all open, most of the owners and workers deciding to not work that day and spend it all with their special somepony.
Even in the chilly morning, the first couples were out already, beginning their day happily, waiting to see what happened. Some were already married couples, others where special someponies and finally just ponies that didn´t wanted to spend their day lone and were with their best friends. Happy couples walked around the main square, happily chatting. In a restaurant´s door an elder looking stallion with another mare his age entered, the mare chuckling at a remark the stallion had just told her, behind them a young pair of ponies talked happily and playfully.
All around was happiness and love…
In a door hidden by the shadow of the palace, a mare was leaving the palace covered in a cloak to protect her against the chilly morning air. She walked slowly, seeing the scene in front of her. She finally stepped out of the shadows, letting her face be seen.
Twinkle Scout stopped, again seeing everything around. She saw the square full of ponies and the red garments that adorned the city. It was a pretty beautiful sight, but she didn´t really thought much of it as she walked towards a small restaurant.
She entered and sat down slowly. Not long after, a green mare approached and asked what she wanted.
“I´d like a coffee with a lot of sugar please.” Twinkle said. The mare nodded as she wrote it down. he began to turn around but stopped, turning back at Twinkle.
“Excuse me miss, but what is a pretty mare such a yourself doing this cold morning alone?” She asked.
Twinkle chuckled and then sighed. “I´m fine, thanks.” The mare nodded unsurely and then proceeded to walk away. Still, that question had left Twinkle with a couple of thoughts. Why was she alone?
She sighed again after remembering how her life was now. She then looked out of a window and saw the scene of the square unfold before her. She remembered what she always did at hearts and hooves day, before, when she was still, well… HE.
He would normally have invited a pretty mare, which always accepted, spend the day with her and then return to the castle for his duties. The old times… Now she wasn´t sure what to do. Her mind drifted towards Gleaming Shield. She had really adapted to their condition, even though she still wasn´t completely adapted. Twinkle was different, she still felt very different, and even wrong. Being a mare was not something she had ever thought in her life, and she was one now.
Gleaming Shield had also not cared for their condition to go out that day. She was out even before daylight, with a stallion from the royal guard. Twinkle wasn´t sure who, though. She was definitely NOT going out with another stallion. Never in all the great world of Equestria would she ever do that.
Finally her coffee arrived. She thanked the mare and began drinking it. She finished and walked outside after leaving the pay. She looked around again and walked towards the palace. She walked this time inside though the main doors, the guards letting her in. She looked around the palace´s main hall. She saw it empty. Celestia had allowed even the chefs to go out that day. The castle so empty felt strange and… well, empty. She walked slowly, her hooves making a clear echo with each step. She stopped finally at her room. Inside she saw Gleaming Shield trying a dress.
“What´s up?” She asked, leaping into the bed. Gleaming simply groaned in response. “Don´t tell me your actually gonna wear that?” She teased Gleaming. The other mare replied by groaning again. “Come one, really?”
Gleaming nodded. “Yes. I don´t want to spend it today all on my own.” He finally decided on a simple blue dress. “I know this isn´t normal for us, but really, spending Hearts and hooves day alone? That is sad.” She began to put on the dress. Twinkle simply groaned as she placed her head inside the soft pillow. She then stood up again and looked at herself in the mirror.
“You know Gleaming, I don´t want to get used to this. I just… I just don´t.” She said. Gleaming finished putting the dress on.
“Alright, it´s your own business. I am going, see ya later then.” She said as she opened the door and left the room, closing the door behind her leaving Twinkle on her own.
“Stupid transformation.” Twinkle murmured to herself. She then walked to the room´s balcony and watched Canterlot tainted in red. “Stupid Hearts and Hooves day.” Just then, he saw a flash of light inside the room as she turned around.
“Hello Twinkle, how are you doing?” Celestia asked casually. Twinkle shrugged. Celestia gasped. “Don´t tell me you’re going to be today on your own?” Twinkle nodded.
“Yes princess.”
Celestia nodded. “Alright then. I´m leaving you, I have some, err… important business to attend to.” She disappeared again. Twinkle chuckled wondering what that “important business” was. She then looked outside again.
Maybe she was just too dramatic upon herself?
She finally managed to stop looking out the balcony and began walking out of the room, only stopping slightly to see herself in the mirror. She stopped and looked at herself again.
Wow… her hair was a mess.
She grabbed a small comb and began to brush it, finally getting it untangled and soft. She chuckled at what she had just done. She had actually brushed her mane… That was something she had never done. Also, she was worrying how she looked. She just chuckled again as she left the room.
Back outside, she began to walk around, peeking inside the small quantity of opened stores, sometimes seeing something that interested her, sometimes simply passing them by after a small scan. She was actually enjoying it, even though she was not buying anything. She finally stopped as she reached the Canterlot walls. She had actually walked all around the city, by herself, checking out stores. That was new.
She felt her stomach sound as she suddenly felt hungry. She looked up in the sky and saw that the sun was in the middle of the sky. It was time to eat something.
She walked inside a restaurant and waited for a waiter to sit her down. A young stallion finely dressed guided her to her seat and asked her if there were any ponies being expected. She said no with a surprised stare from the waiter, but he quickly shook it off and asked what she wanted.
Finally her food arrived. She was starving as she began munching it, enjoying the flavor on her mouth. She was taking a sip of water as a stallion sat in front of her on the same table. She stopped and looked up at him.
The stallion looked pretty handsome, a light brown coat covering him and a black mane. His eyes were also brown, just that a little dark and he had some pretty large wingsr. Twinkle managed to see a hint of a blush as she stared at him.
Some uncomfortable seconds passed as no pony said anything. Finally the stallion spoke.
“Mmm… Hi, I´m Starsight.” He said, extending her a hoof. Twinkle didn´t knew why, but she actually blushed. She felt her cheeks going red as she gave her her own hoof
“I´m Twinkle Scout.” The stallion smiled as both retrieved their hooves.
“I was wondering why you were alone today, especially you being such a beautiful mare.” He said. Twinkle felt her cheeks going even redder, but she noticed him blushing too.
“Mmm… well, I was just not in the mind of going out today. Kind of a… a…” She wasn´t sure what to say. Her legs where trembling at a curious feeling… she wasn´t sure what it was.
The stallion chuckled at her indecision. “Well… you know, I was wondering if you, mmm… well, would like to go today out with me.”
Twinkle stopped shaking. She already had known he wanted to ask her that, but hearing the actual question was something very different. She stared into the stallion for some seconds expressionless before looking at her unfinished plate. The stallion seemed to be losing hope, for he had begun to stand up.
“Of course, if you want to…” he began, but was interrupted by Twinkle.
“Yes.” She said.
“Pardon?” He asked, turning around as he had already stood up.
“Yes, I´d like to.” She said. Starsight´s eyes suddenly seemed to brighten up.
“Great!” he sat down again. Twinkle wasn´t sure why she had said yes. She suddenly felt sn urge to say no, but also there was something deep within her that confused her. What was happening to her??
“I´ll just finish this.” Twingkle said. “You want anything?” She asked the stallion. Starsight shook his head.
“No, I already ate.” He replied.
Twinkle nodded and finished eating, only that this time slower and less savage. She finished and ordered the bill. She was about to give the waiter the bits when Starsight placed his first. The waiter thanked and left the table. Twinkle looked at him in confusion.
“Why´d you do that for?” she asked.
Starsight smiled. “Come on, I have a place you might like to go.” He stood up. Twinkle still felt confused at him. She stood up though and followed him outside.
He led her through the streets and finally inside a theatre. She was wondering what they were going to watch when he suddenly sneaked inside an only workers door. She began to question him when he urged her inside. She followed.
He then led her through the corridors and inside a dark room. She walked inside, closely followed by Starsight.
“What are we doing here?” She asked. Starsight pointed at a window. She walked towards it and looked. A play was going. They had sneaked inside the theatre and were looking at a play!
“Wait… we´re here without permission?!” She said in a hushed voice. Starsight nodded.
“Yeah, let´s say that I´m not in good terms with the ponies that run the theatre and so I had to learn to get in without them knowing.” He said, also looking at the play.
Twinkle Scout couldn´t see Starsight well in the darkness of the room, but she was sure he was smiling. She looked at they play, and wondered who was this pegasi. She stared at Starsight for some minutes until he noticed her staring.
“You know, you can ask anything. Just quietly, the sound in here is carried all over the theatre.” He said. Twinkle nodded.
“Why did you brought me here, not sure if I would actually like to sneak inside a theater with you? And also, how you don´t know that I don´t like plays? You risked a lot bringing me here.” She said.
Starsight chuckled. “I don´t have my cutie mark for anything.” He said, showing her his flank. It was an eye made out of stars. “My parents named me Starsight just by coincidence, but I got my cutie mark for knowing other pony´s feelings, even if I had just seen them for some seconds. They say I have something called star sight, barely superstitions though, but I have proved it right plenty of times.” He said proudly.
“Do you ever get it wrong?” She asked, curious at his talent.
“Once or twice, yeah. It´s not perfect, but I know I can trust it almost always.” He said, looking back at the play.
“You know, I have never gone to a play before in my life.” Twinkle said. Starsight chuckled.
“Probably. Not many ponies do nowadays.” He looked at her. “But this one´s a little boring. Want to do something fun?” he asked.
Twinkle nodded. This stallion did knew how to entertain her; Something fun, like sneaking into a theater? She had not done such a thing ever since she entered the royal guard. She used to do that type of thing with her friends, and it had been a while since she had done something like that.
“Yeah!” She said enthusiastically before realizing she had shouted. Starsight smiled and walked to the door. He opened it and poked out.
“Let´s go then” he said, gesturing her to follow. They went through the same corridors they had used to get in and so they finally were outside once more. Twinkle and Starsight looked at each other and laughed, finally they calmed down.
“Alright, I have a perfect place to sneak in, if you want to, of course.” He said.
Twinkle nodded. “Of course!”
Starsight smiled. “Alright then, there´s this kind of reserved party for the elite of Canterlot, you know, where the richest of all go, like Fancy Pants, or some other bunch like them.” Twinkle looked slightly surprised. “But before you say anything, it is worth it, there’s all this food and also there´s the meeting famous ponies!”
Twinkle thought for a moment. That was something pretty interesting, but sneaking in a party such as that one… it was almost as sneaking into the grand galloping gala… She smiled.
“Let´s do this.” She said.
* * * *
An hour later the two where standing in front of a huge rich looking house dressed in fine clothes.
“How´d you managed to get these ones?” she asked. Starsight shrugged.
“I have a friend who makes me favors from time to time, and I called for one today.” He stopped at the door. “We speak about that later.” He knocked the door and seconds later a finely dressed pony opened the door.
“Names?” he asked.
“Sorry, we are not on the list, but we have special invitations from the hosts.” Starsight said, passing him a note. The pony read the note and nodded.
“Of course sir, please, come in.”
The two smiled and entered.
“What was on that note?” Twinkle asked. Starsight chuckled.
“I managed to get their signatures from the same friend. He made me a paper saying we were special guests. The only problem is that the hosts will soon know, so we have limited time.” He looked at her. “So let´s enjoy it!” Twinkle grinned happily as both entered the party.
A lot of ponies where there, but one which they recognized immediately was a famous artist that played in many social events.
“That´s Octavia Melody.” Starsight said. Twinkle looked at him with a funny grin.
“Think I didn´t recognized her? I see her all the time in castle reunions.” She said.
Starsight stopped. “Wait, castle reunions?” Twinkle stopped realizing what she had just said.
“You know what…” she said. “I´ll tell you later.”
Starsight nodded as both got in the party…
* * * *
“You two!” exclaimed a couple of guard ponies.
Starsight sighed. “So much for a nice party.” The two ponies approached.
Soon, they were outside the party again, looking from outside as the angry guards stared at them. Starsight glared at them angrily and then walked away with Twinkle behind him. Both rounded a corner and soon stopped. They looked at each other before bursting into laughter again. This time it lasted longer.
“You saw the faces of the ponies around once they realized we were not invited?!” Starsight said, trying to keep tears from his eyes. Twinkle Scout nodded, laughing also.
“And the guards ad they realized we were not real guests?” Twinkle said. Both kept on laughing, until the finally stopped, breathing with difficulty.
It was already twilight, as the moon began to rise and the sun had hidden in the horizon. The two walked together closely, chatting. They had gone to take a fast dinner and where now deciding where to go next. Apparently there was nothing as exciting as having sneaked inside the party…
Finally Starsight stopped, followed by Twinkle.
“What is it Starsight?” She asked. The Pegasus looked at her.
“You said you went to castle reunions or something like that?” He got closer. “What sis you meant?” He was serious this time, but so was Twinkle. She had hoped that she would not have to tell him about her living in the palace. That made ponies around a little shaken up and changed completely their attitude.
“Oh… right.” She said. “Well, you see, I live in the palace.” Before Starsight managed to say anything, she continued. “I didn´t wanted to tell you because most ponies stop acting naturally when I tell them that, not that I´ve actually talked to many though. It´s just that I like it when ponies don´t know where I sleep.”
Starsight remained quiet for some seconds. “You know Twinkle; I would not have treated you differently. Maybe our approach would have been slightly different, but that doesn´t change the point that I… he stopped, blushing heavily. Twinkle herself felt like blushing herself.
“I think we should move on.” Twinkle said. Starsight nodded.
“Yes.”
Twinkle was the one that led them this time. She had a special place in mind. After some minutes of walking through the streets, they arrived at the main square. Twinkle then led Starsight towards a side door that led into the castle gardens. The guard recognized her and let her in, looking suspiciously at Starsight. Still, both got inside.
Twinkle stopped beside a small lake that was hidden by trees. She looked at the water. Starsight seemed to snap out of his trance-like state. He had been in. He approached Twinkle Scout and sat beside her. Twinkle also sat down, staring at the moon being reflected by the small lake. Both remained quiet. Finally Twinkle spoke.
“I love to come here sometimes. It relaxes me and helps me forget of everyday problems.” She touched the water with her hooves, seeing the image of the moon and the stars distort at the small waves. She smiled.
Starsight also got closer to the water. “I do feel relaxed in here.” He said. “Almost as if we are in another world.” He got closer to Twinkle. Twinkle noticed it, but didn´t moved, nor did she stopped him. She even surprised herself by moving closer herself. When finally both stared into each other’s eyes, their faces where an inch away. Starsight opened his mouth and said something Twinkle had not expected.
“Twinkle Scout, I don´t know what coincidence brought me towards you, but you are by far the most interesting mare I´ve ever known. You are special… and I don´t know how to express this in any other way.” He pushed his mouth forward as their lips touched. Twinkle felt for a second the urge to push him back, but instead she closed her eyes, enjoying it. She felt a heat growing up in her body. She felt safe, curiously, even though she had not felt in danger ever before. Her worries simply faded away as she let the moment take her. She felt her most important worry fade away: Her past.
Finally after some minutes both moved back their head, stopping the contact. They stared into each other´s eyes again, Twinkle unable to say a word. Starsight smiled warmly.
“I love you Twinkle Scout. I love you in a way I´ve never felt before.” He said. “And I´d like you to be my special somepony.”
Twinkle didn´t answered. She had no longer any worries. All seemed like distant memories of the past, and what only mattered in the moment was Starsight. She smiled and nodded.
“Yes!”
Starsight smiled. Both laughed and embraced each other. Twinkle felt like if that night would never end…
* * * *
Starsight smiled as he saw the stars, and as Twinkle was resting beside him. Both had stopped the talk and where now simply lying down beside each other in the soft grass. The moon gave them a good light, enough to see each other. Twinkle yawned and Starsight smiled.
“Tired?” he asked. Twinkle nodded, cuddling with him. He smiled and simply closed his eyes. “Maybe we should go back to our houses. It is late, even for us.” Twinkle nodded, still with her eyes closed. Starsight sat down, making her need to seat down too.
“Really?” She asked.
Starsight nodded. “Yes, I love being with you though, maybe we can see again tomorrow?” he said as he stood up. Twinkle nodded.
Both walked slowly towards the gate of the gardens. They gave each other a hug before Starsight went away, looking one more time at Twinkle.
Twinkle saw him leave, and when he made a turn she headed towards the palace. She stopped though, to look at the moon. Thanks Celestia for the moon, it was now her special light. It had lighted up something she didn´t knew she had. She smiled as the moon´s light made a shadow in the soft grass. It was a flame…
A flame which warmed her heart…