>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.