A Walk Beneath the Stars

Ember Heart continued his story.

"Your mother offered to show me a safe path through the forest."

Golden listened carefully.

"Did you go home?"

"Not immediately."

Her mother smiled.

"We started talking."

In their memory, the two young ponies walked beside a little stream.

Moonlight shimmered across the water.

Ember Heart looked at the bat pony beside him.

"So you live here?"

She nodded.

"Not far from here. I have a little house surrounded by flowers."

Ember Heart smiled.

"That sounds lovely."

"It is."

She looked at his fiery mane.

"And you live in the mountains?"

"Yes. In a Kirin village."

She smiled.

"I've never met a Kirin before."

Ember Heart chuckled.

"Well, now you have."

She looked at his golden horn.

"Can you really make fire?"

He nodded.

"A little."

She smiled curiously.

"May I see?"

Ember Heart hesitated.

"Of course."

He lifted one hoof.

A small golden flame appeared above it.

The bat pony's eyes widened.

"Oh!"

The flame danced gently.

Ember Heart smiled.

"It's Kirin fire. I can control it."

She leaned closer.

"It's beautiful."

Ember Heart looked at her.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

He smiled.

"Thank you."

She watched the flame for a moment.

Then she looked up at the stars.

"You know, I think we make an interesting pair."

Ember Heart tilted his head.

"How so?"

She smiled.

"I can find my way through the darkness."

Then she glanced at his flame.

"And you can keep us warm."

Ember Heart laughed softly.

"Then perhaps we make a perfect pair."

The bat pony blushed.

"Perhaps we do."