One cold late winter night, there was a knock on Rarity's door.
"Who on earth is calling at this hour?" the white unicorn asked to herself as she got out of bed and put on a robe. With a pale blue light, she lit a candle and carried it as she walked across the room and carefully down the stairs to the front door.
"What is it?" the young mare asked as she opened the door. There, standing in the snow, stood a pony with a tattered gray hooded cloak and a worn-out brown bag.
"Please, Miss," the pony said in a sweet tenor voice, "Let me in. I have traveled far and haven't eaten in days."
There was something about that voice that intrigued Rarity. It seemed awfully familiar but she couldn't pinpoint where she had heard it before. Then she saw from with in the hood of the cloak a pair of sad blue eyes. Rarity knew she had seen those eyes before, but where.
"Oh, you poor creature," Rarity said in a kind voice. "Please, do come in."
"Thank you," the pony replied stepping into the boutique. Then the pony removed the hood of the cloak to reveal a young white unicorn stallion's face. There was something about that face Rarity knew she had seen before.
"You said you were hungry?" She asked him.
"Yes, I did," he answered.
"I'll make you something to eat then. Please come with me to the kitchen."
The stallion followed her to the kitchen where she sat him down at the table.
"I noticed the dresses back there," he said to Rarity as she gathered ingredients. "Did you make them?"
"Why, yes I did," Rarity answered. "Do you like them?"
"I guess they're nice. It's just my clothes are worn-out, and I was hoping I could get some new ones."
"I would love to make you some new clothes," Rarity said as she put a sandwich in front of him.
"I could never ask you. You've done so much for me already. Besides, I wouldn't want to stress you if you're not comfortable with stallion's fashion."
"Nonsense, I would be delighted to help you out, Mr…"
"Forest, Forest Glade."
"I'm Rarity."
"It's nice to meet you, Rarity." Forest then lifted the sandwich with his magic and began to eat. The glow of his magic was a royal blue, and Rarity was still dumbfounded as to where she saw that color of glow before.
"Is something wrong?" Forest asked her.
"Oh, nothing, I'm going to get the guest room ready." Rarity then walked down the hall. She was headed towards the stairs, but she stopped in front to her picture of her parents. Then she remembered; Forest Glade looked very much like her father.
The next morning, Rarity woke to the smell of pancakes. She got downstairs to see Forest in the kitchen cooking. His cloak was off, and she could see that he was wearing a very worn-out chef's uniform and that his cutie mark was an image of two kitchen knives.
"Ah, good morning, Rarity," Forest said. "I hope didn't wake you too early."
"No, I'm good," Rarity said as she sat down at the table. "So, how long have you been a chef?"
"Actually," Forest said setting the pancakes on the table, "I'm just an apprentice."
"Really? Who are you studying under?"
"You've probably never heard of him. His name's Weathermore."
"I must agree. I have never heard that name in my life."
"That's what bothered him. He never liked being obscure. He desired fame and glory."
"Why do you talk about him in past tense?"
"He is at the moment unable to pursue his culinary vision."
"Is he dead?"
"No, he's just unable to cook. He trusted me to carry on his legacy, but I'm torn as to whether I should."
"Just what is his legacy?"
"Weathermore was very experimental. He was always looking for new ingredients. Some of those ingredients were extremely controversial, and he was arrested a few days ago. I barely escaped."
"What were those ingredients?"
"You would lose your appetite if I told you."
"Try me."
"Let's just say they're now calling him Weathermore the Carnivore."
"You were right, I don't feel hungry anymore." Rarity got up from the table. "One thing still puzzles me. Why did you run away? You did nothing wrong."
"I have just as much blood on my hooves as he does. I've seen and done things no pony should ever experience."
"I'll go start on making some new clothes for you. You'll look like a new stallion in no time."
"That would help," Forest said with a smile.
"There, all finished," Rarity said presenting Forest with a suit and matching cloak.
"It's wonderful," Forest said. "Thank you so much." He grabbed them and went to put them on. After a few minutes, he came out in his new clothes with a smile on his face.
"You look positively radiant." Rarity smile began to fade. "Is there chance you could stay for a while?"
"I'm afraid I must leave now. I'm grateful for you generosity, Rarity. You will always be my friend."
Rarity began to cry. "Don't go."
"It will never work between us. There is too much I must atone for."
"I love you."
"Then you must let me leave." He pulled a pendant from around his neck. "This belonged to my mother. Let it be by your side always."
"Thank you, Forest."
And with that, Forest Glade walk out of the door and out of her life.