Move Past
When the Sun rose over the horizon the following morning, brightening the forest with its colourful rays, Melon gave Light a gentle kiss, and got up to start her day; but as she passed by the room of her Brother, she opened the door to find Straw still asleep, absolutely exhausted after last night.
A warm smile grew upon her face, before she closed the door to start her daily routine, interrupted only for a few brief moments when her staff greeted her as they entered; and she wished them a good morning in return, as she wrote letters to her Family to let them know Straw was safely at the Inn.
But when she had donned her winter clothes, intending to head to town for supplies, and to post the letters she had written, before she had even stepped outside, a Pony, covered head-to-hoof in thick clothing, accidentally knocked Melon over, and apologised in a familiar voice as she was helped up.
As soon as Melon was back on her hooves, the Pony before her removed their hood and scarf to reveal Honeydew Delight, one of her younger Sisters, who cheerfully embraced her older Sister before Melon even managed to thank Honey, who was only slightly upset that she caused her to fall to begin with.
Unfortunately, the commotion of their collision woke up Straw, who stepped out of his room, wearing a tired smile on his face, before he slowly walked over to his Sisters; but even though Straw would have gladly matched, or even outright surpassed his little Sister's energy, he had little to spare.
With a quiet sigh, annoyed that she had to abandon her schedule so early, Melon took off her jacket and scarf, and led her Siblings to the lounge, where she asked the two nigh tireless Ponies to wait for her to make some tea, knowing she would not be able to leave them alone for even a few minutes.
After she stopped by her room to bring Light a cup of tea, Melon returned to the lounge to find her two most energetic Siblings sitting on the couch in complete silence; but though she knew why Straw was silent, given his distress the previous night, she worriedly asked Honey if anything was wrong.
The usually cheerful Mare merely sighed deeply, and slowly asked her big Sister and Brother whether they knew how to let go of the past, or, at least, to not have it affect her now; but since neither had heard such a great change in her voice before, they grew worried, and asked Honey to elaborate.
But as the young Mare tried to explain, her eyes welled up with tears, and she felt herself getting choked up, so she quietly asked the two for a moment; and while she drank her tea, Melon hurried to the Hall to grab some blankets, while Straw battled through his exhaustion to warmly embrace Honey.
Eventually, covered by a blanket, and laying in Straw's gentle embrace, Honey admitted she knew not whence these thoughts came, nor why these were so numerous; ridiculed for pushing herself to do her best, and mocked for being herself, kind and caring, she asked whether she deserved such treatment.
Instantly, Straw and Melon both gently took Honey's hooves and promised her she never deserved such treatment, no matter what her mind said; and although dealing with thoughts as such was tough, they were always there for her if she wished to talk, or to ask for help in letting these feelings pass.
With a small smile to Straw, Melon told Honey:
"You're a wonderful Mare, and your true self," she said with a warm smile, "should not be hidden."
