Dear Friend
The untimely snow brings with it the tides of eternal darkness...
A blindingly loud scream jolted me from my sleep. Feeling around in the darkness I found my hat and cracked open the sliding door of the compartment I was in. Odd, the train had stopped. As I peeked out into the hallway the murmuring of other ponies could be heard.
"How's this even possible?" I heard one say.
"Haven't had snow here in 100 years," A voice drifted through the car.
Dim light streamed in through the ornate windows across from me casting a diffuse glow. Could it be? As long as I could remember the San Palomino Desert never received a snow fall, let alone any type of precipitation. A conductor rushed down the hallway pushing ponies out of his way.
"Excuse me, what's going on?" I asked.
"Snowfall has blocked the tracks," he replied without even a backwards glance. That explained why we weren't moving. I could see a group of ponies was gathered around one of the windows chattering excitedly.
"Y'all know who was doing that screaming?" I asked.
"Screaming?" A mare replied with a confused look on her face. "No one was screaming,"
Had I imagined it?
"It's so, beautiful," Another one marveled at the sight through the window. She was right, the normally harsh looking desert was softened by the thick layer of snow that had fallen. I could see Appaloosa's peaked roofs in the distance. It looked unsettling against a white backdrop instead of the usual picturesque blue sky. Since the train probably wasn't going to be moving any time soon, I packed up my bags and readied myself to leave. Just as I was about to step out the door I noticed my sheet music was still sitting on the bedside desk. I quickly wrapped it up in a cloth and shoved in my saddle bag. Not wasting any time I flung open one of the emergency doors and leaped to the snow covered ground.
I trudged through the fields as an unnaturally cold wind blasted me in the face. Madness, complete madness, icicles were beginning to form on my mane and the blowing snow was so thick I couldn't see two feet ahead. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. The wedding crossed my mind as I walked. They were probably all dancing now, inside, sipping on hot apple cider; the thought warmed me a little. I most definitely had missed the ceremony, it was unfortunate, I really was looking forward to seeing her in that ridiculous dress Rarity had made. I chuckled and my crystalized breath was swept up by the fierce gale. On the bright side if I froze to death I could escape Ember's undoubted anger at me.
"Help!" A faint voice drifted over the wind. So faint in fact that I almost thought it to be a product of my imagination. "Please someone!" The voice cried again, but this time it was closer. Through the haze an outline of a mare began to appear whoever it was seemed to be carrying a large case on her back. I yelled through the wind to try to get her attention but the mare kept wandering, head down, defiant against the storm. I galloped to catch up with her.
"Hey miss! You alrig-" WHACK! A huge force struck me in the nose sending me reeling backwards.
"Get away from me you filthy bandit!" She screamed before galloping off into the storm.
"Damn it Ah was just trying to help!" I stumbled to my hooves and took off after her. I followed the mare's tracks up a hillside and onto a plateau that rose high above the desert floor. It was a steep drop on either side and she was approaching the end of the flat ground fast. I doubted she'd be able to see the cliffs through the white wash of snow. Knowing this I picked up my pace and kept yelling for her to stop. Without warning I slammed headlong into her and sent us both careening off the side of the plateau. As we slid down the snow covered rocks I grabbed the mare and shielded her from any oncoming boulders. We bounced and tumbled down the cliff side until coming to rest in a bank of snow. When the snow kicked up by our bodies settled I could hear the mare groaning.
"What in Tartarus do you think you're doing!" She yelled.
I shook my head clear and could see the pony I had almost killed. She had a coal grey coat and a black mane with white ear muffs on her head. Around her neck the only clothing she wore was a white button up collar with a pink bow tie.
"You're the one who hit me and took off!" I shot back as I dislodged myself from the snow.
"You are the one that snuck up on me, what did you think I would do?!" She demanded.
"Is that how you greet everypony you meet?" I asked.
"No, just the crazy ones!" She said.
"Look I think we've gotten off on the wrong hoof, my name is Blaze," I said and extended my hoof out to her. "And you are?"
"Octavia," She replied and lightly shook my hoof.
"Come on let's get out of this," I motioned towards the town.
"I couldn't agree with you more," She said, lifting up the large case and hefting it on her back.
I took a step forward to help her but she glared at me and said, "I can do this on my own thank you very much,"
The two of us took shelter from the growing storm in an old dilapidated barn that sat in a grove of trees.
"Surely there's a more suitable place to wait this out?" Octavia asked at the sight of the building.
"Well," I said as I pried the door open. "You're welcome to wait out here, if you so please,"
"Fine," She sighed and marched through the open door.
I followed behind her. "Don't look so happy about it,"
While I poked around the barn looking for a lantern Octavia could be heard settling down in a pile of dry hay.
"Hmm, quaint," She mused. "Any luck?"
"This should do the trick," I struck the lantern that I had found and the wick burst into flame.
"Now we're getting some where," She smiled.
"If the fuel lasts long enough that is,"
I laid down across from Octavia as she removed the white ear muffs and shook glistening snow from her mane. Battering the walls around us the wind whistled through cracks in the walls signaling that the storm would not be over soon. I watched as Octavia surveyed her surroundings eyes gazing around, analytical yet curious. The way she moved was graceful and breathed an air of elegance, she reminded me much of Rarity. Even the way she talked seemed, proper. I caught my eyes wandering along the curves of her body right down to the cutie mark on her flank. It looked familiar, my mother had explained it to me when she used to play the piano, before aching joints had silenced her playing that is. It had something to do with music... A treble cleft, that was the word. My eyes finally came to rest on the case that was now propped up against a post. The velvet covering shimmered in the lantern's light.
"It's called a cello," Octavia said.
"Looks like a giant guitar to me," I eyed it up.
She let out an amused laugh. "You could say that, but this only has 4 stings and I play it standing up with this," She rummaged around in her saddle bag and pulled out a long slender stick with a piece of cloth or something running from one end to the other along the bottom. "It's called a bow,"
"Is that even possible?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure it is, like this," She swayed back and forth moving the bow in sweeping motion across her chest like she was playing an invisible instrument. It was mesmerizing to say the least, I couldn't imagine what it would be like if she was actually playing. "Do you listen to music?" She asked, tucking the bow back into her bag. "Please don't tell me it's that electronic slag Vinyl enjoys so much,"
"All Ah've ever listened too was what my mom would play on the piano," I replied not fully sure of what she meant.
"Then lucky for you, your taste is still untainted," She cringed.
"Is that what that cello does? "Electronic"?" I asked.
"Oh heavens no!" Octavia screamed, "I would sooner throw myself from the highest cliff in Equestria than partake in the making of such, dreadful noise,"
"Point taken," I said. We sat in silence for a moment while the wind kept up its relentless attack on the barn.
"Are you a musician?" She asked. I wasn't sure how to respond, was I? Was it right to take credit for something other ponies worked hundreds of hours to perfect, while I could simply listen to a tune and sing with ease.
"Ah can sing," I said sheepishly.
"Really? I've always admired singing, although I myself wasn't talented enough to do it," Octavia said.
"Ah'm sure if you sang it'd be beautiful," I complimented with a shy smile.
"Cute," She smiled back. "May I hear you?"
I glanced over at my bag where the sheet music sat wrapped in its cloth covering. The song was far from finished, but singing the bit I had couldn't hurt. Besides Octavia seemed like a big music buff, maybe she could give me some pointers.
"It's a little rough," I slid the paper from my bag and set it down in front of me. I glanced back up at Octavia as she leaned forward gazing at me with her deep purple eyes.
"I don't mind," She smiled.
Here goes nothing.
You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everything that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too
Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted-
My voice echoed until it faded into the high-pitched whistling of the wind.
"Wow, very delightful Blaze," She complimented.
"You really think so?" I asked with a small grin.
"Well, yes but there is one thing," She added.
My smile faded. "What is it?"
"It's a bit cliché don't you think?" She asked.
"Ah, Ah don't know," I said, looking down at the paper as if just glancing at it would fix the problem. My cheeks began to burn, I couldn't believe I'd just sang to some random pony I had just met. I felt like an idiot.
"Hey, chin up," She put her hoof on mine. "It just needs some tweaking, that's all, I could help you with it, if you'd like,"
"You'd do that?" I asked
She pulled the paper towards herself and began to examine it. "Of course," She said.
"Why?" I asked again.
"Because," she looked up at me. "You remind me much myself when I started playing. My first music teacher told my parents I had no talent and that I'd be better off pursuing a career more suited to my abilities like," A disgusted look crossed her face.
"Like?" I asked.
"Accounting," Octavia shuttered.
I burst out laughing. "Ponies have those?"
"In Canterlot they do," She replied while making small scribbles on the paper.
"So that's where you're from, what's it like?" I asked in awe.
"There's no place in Equestria like it," She seemed drift off like when one loses themselves in a fond old memory. "You should see it Blaze, the is dripping with sophistication and revere, its towers grace the skyline like jeweled mountains and the streets are filled with the rich and famous. Even the weather is flawless,"
"Wow, that... sounds nice," I said trying to picture what it looked like in my head.
"Nice? You haven't seen the world until you've seen Canterlot," She said dreamily.
"So if it's that amazing, what're you doing on a train to Appaloosa?" I asked.
"Well actually, I don't live in Canterlot any more," She answered.
I stood and turned down the flame on the lantern that was starting to die."But you sound like you love it there, why'd you move?"
"I'd rather not talk about it," She spoke softly. "It wasn't exactly the highlight of my life,"
"Hold on, you aren't moving to Appaloosa are you?" I asked.
"No no, I'm just here for work," She chuckled. "I was scheduled to play at a wedding but as you can see, it didn't work out as planned,"
"Get out, my sister is having a wedding," I said wondering if it could really be that big of coincidence.
"That's probably the same one," She said with a smile. "I never would have thought the brother of the bride would've almost killed me,"
"My intentions were good," I said.
"That they were," She said. Light from the flickering lantern shone a golden glow over Octavia's face. She was gazing at me with her light purple eyes, she nearly looked pitch black with the shadows covering her perfect grey coat. She wasn't smiling now, you could tell, her long dark black mane was pushed back. It was almost as if she were sad. I could tell that talking of Canterlot had brought up bad memories. I let us lapse into an uneasy silence. Silence.
"Do you hear that?" I asked as I jumped to my hooves.
"Hear what?" Octavia asked.
I trotted over to door and put my shoulder too it. "Exactly,"
The door slid open with ease and light from the outside spilled into the barn. I braced myself for a blast of bitter wind, but it never came. Looking back at Octavia I smiled. "Now we're getting somewhere,"
Fearing that another storm might descend upon us Octavia and I galloped the rest of the way to town. Sunlight was beginning to poke through the dense clouds and burn off the fog that still hung heavy over the snowy hills. As we wadded through chest deep snow I asked Octavia where she was staying.
"I'm not sure," She said. "I was supposed to be on the last train back to Ponyville after the wedding but, that probably won't happen,"
"You could stay with us, since it's our fault you're stuck here," I said.
"It's hardly your fault, but you did almost kill me," She grinned. "So that must count for something,"
I nodded in agreement and it was decided, Octavia would be our house guest.
"Are you sure your sister won't mind?" Octavia asked as we approached our farmhouse. It's familiar blue wood-plank siding was lightly dusted with snow and icicles hung from its gabled roof.
"She won't," I reassured her before knocking three times on the hoof craved door. We waited for an answer but none came. Cautiously I pushed on the door, it's rusted hinges creaked as it opened.
"Hello?" I called down the empty entrance hall, my voice reverberated through the silent house. One light could be seen shinning through an open door while shadows moved across it. Motioning for Octavia to stay put I crept carefully into the house making sure to step around the spots I knew were creaky. As I drew closer hushed voices could be heard.
"Ah can't believe you haven't told him yet," A stallion's voice said.
"He isn't ready to know the truth," I could hear my sister's voice say back. "If he knew what he really was,"
"He deserves to know what he is, you get what Ah'm saying?" The other voice cut Ember off.
"You don't think Ah want him to know? Ah love him, with all my heart, but this is the only way to protect him," Ember shot back.
"From what?" The other voice asked. I leaned in closer straining to hear what they were saying.
"Ah'm just following the plan mom and dad left me, that's all I've ever done to keep him safe," Ember sniffled like she was about to cry.
"Ah'm sorry love, I didn't mean to upset you, Ah'm just looking out for him, you know I care about him just as much as you do," The stallion said.
"I know, I love you Braeburn," Ember said.
"I love you too," Braeburn said back. Having heard enough I stood up and poked my head through the door.
"What're you too love birds doing," I put on a fake grin.
"Blaze!" my sister nearly tackled me with her hug. "We were so worried about you!"
"There was a slight, delay with our train," I chuckled as we pulled apart from our embrace. Ember's green mane wound up in a tight bun with a few renegade strands falling in front of her face and her yellow coat was brushed to perfection as usual. She looked like a splitting image of my mom, from her mahogany eyes right down to the angle of her nose and smile. It was amusing seeing them together because despite looking so much alike their personalities were polar opposites. While my mom was a very laid back pony who usually just went with the flow Ember was extremely calculated and precise. She was the odd one out in family I always thought.
"How's my favorite brother-in-law doing?" Braeburn put me into a headlock.
"Ah'm your only brother-in-law," I reminded him.
"Details details," Brae laughed.
"Ah'm sorry I missed the wedding you two," I said as I broke away from Braeburn.
"You didn't miss much," Ember smiled. "And besides you're here now and that's what matters,"
"Blaze? Is everything okay?" I could hear Octavia's voice float down the hall.
"Yeah come on in!" I called back.
"Who's this beautiful mare," Braeburn grinned at me as Octavia trotted in and set her case down.
"Ember Brae, this is Octavia, she was set to play at your wedding reception," I introduced them. "She needs a place to stay,"
"Well you're welcome to stay here," Ember said. "It's the least we could do,"
"Thank you," Octavia said shyly. "I will be out of here when the track is cleared, so you needn't worry about a lengthy stay,"
"I'll set you up in the spare bedroom," Ember motioned for Octavia. As the two mares trotted out of the room Braeburn gave me another grin.
"What?" I asked unable to stop myself from grinning along.
"Nothing," He said before trotting out after them. "You want coffee?"
Later that night after supper had been eaten, the dishes washed and a rather large bottle of apple whiskey drank we all settled in for the night. I lay in bed and listened to the snowflakes bash against the window. The storm was back again bringing with it the foul wind. Just as I was about to drift off I heard the door to my room open and hoofsteps on the wooden floor.
"Blaze, are you still up?" Octavia's voice whispered through the darkness.
"Yeah," I whispered back. "You okay?" I felt the bed move and squeak as Octavia climbed in with me.
"It's cold in my room, do you mind if I warm up for a bit?" She asked. I could feel the heat of her body close to mine and her soft breathing on my neck.
"You can sleep in here and I'll take your room," I suggested.
"No, I won't stay long," She pressed up against me. "Don't worry yourself,"
"Okay, Ah'm warning you though, I kick," I said.
Octavia kissed me lightly on the cheek. "Thank you," She said. "For finding me,"
I leaned my head back an closed my eyes. "It was my pleasure," I whispered. Together we laid side by side and drifted off to the sound of our steady heartbeats.