- >It’s still dark. The sun set a long time ago.
- >Your futile attempts at sleep leave you nothing but frustrated.
- >You can’t help it, this feeling has been tugging at your heart for the past few days.
- >Taking a quick glance, you look at the clock.
- >4:30 am
- >Throwing the blankets off, you leave the warmth of your bed.
- >You walk over to the wardrobe and grab your coat and shoes.
- >Maybe a walk will help you feel better.
- >As you open the door, a rush of cool air beats against your face.
- >If anything, this was your favorite time of year.
- >Autumn wasn’t too cold or too hot; it was just right.
- >You try your best to ignore it as you close the door and begin walking down the path.
- >The only sounds that can be heard are the wind rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and bushes and your footsteps.
- >Not a single creature was stirring at this time.
- >These walks were becoming a regular thing now.
- >That and the whole two hours of sleep you got in a day didn’t help break this habit.
- >Coming to the small pond, you take a seat on the ground and look at the sky’s reflection in the lake.
- >The stars shine brightly alongside the moon, lighting up the dark surrounding.
- >You look down and see a sad man, unshaven and tired, staring back at you.
- >A new reflection is added shortly after; a quiet, yellow pegasus.
- >She takes a seat next him and looks into her own reflection.
- >After a few minutes, he finally speaks up.
- “Hey Fluttershy.”
- >“Hi Anonymous,” she whispers back, not taking her eyes off her reflection.
- >An awkward silence fills the air as they both continue staring into the liquid.
- “What are you up at this hour?” you finally ask, trying to break the awkwardness.
- >She breaks off the stare from her reflection and looks to the ground.
- >“I was just helping out one of my nocturnal friends out. A little bat injured his wing and needed some medical attention. I came here on the way back home and noticed you sitting here all alone. I thought you could do with some company.”
- >You give off a snort and lay yourself down on the soft grass, staring up at the beautiful night sky.
- “I’ve been coming here almost everyday it seems. I usually do when I need to think.”
- >She begins to rub her hoof into the ground before turning to you.
- >“Has something been bothering you?”
- >You let out a small sigh and place your hands on the back of your head.
- “I’ve been in this world for almost three years now. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here. Clean air, good company, everything I always wished for. But, lately, I’ve felt... empty. I miss my home, my family, my friends... hell, I even miss my neighbor and I hated that guy.”
- >She gives a soft giggle and looks back at the reflection.
- >“I know how you feel. Ever since I discovered my cutie mark, I’ve been living in Ponyville. I sometimes wish I could go back home and see my family.”
- “What’s stopping you? You can fly and I’m pretty sure Cloudsdale isn’t an impossible trip.”
- >She looks back down at the ground, tears filling her eyes.
- >“My father abandoned us after I was born and my mother had been sick for a very long time. She had my aunt and uncle take care of me since she was unable to do so. A few days after I settled here, I got a letter from them saying she had finally passed away.”
- >Small sobs begin to escape her as she tries to hold them in.
- >You sit up and scoot over to her, placing your arms around her.
- >Her sobs begin to violent emit as you hold her tight.
- >“I’ve always taken care of the animals since then, sheltering them when they can’t find a home and healing them when hurt. Everyday I try my hardest to help them. I see my mother every time I look into their hurt little eyes.”
- >She buries her face into your chest, weeping like mad.
- >And you thought you had it bad.
- >You pet her head, trying to calm her down.
- >After a little while, her crying dies down and she speaks again.
- >“I’m so sorry Anonymous. I didn’t mean to interrupt you with my problems.”
- >Tightening your grip, you don’t let her go.
- “Listen, if anything, you’ve made me feel a little bit better.”
- >She looks up at you with a puzzled look on her face.
- “I know now that I’m not alone. There’s a least one pers- I mean pony that knows how I feel.”
- >Tears begin to flow from your eyes as you smile at her.
- >She smiles back places her head against your chest again as the sun slowly rises.
- >Today was the start of a friendship that no one would ever understand.

