Nothing But Memories - Junicorn 2022

Sonnet breathed in deeply, noting the smell of smoke in the air. The scent of burning wood was strangely alluring, rather unlike what Sonnet was familiar with. 

"What do you think is happening?" Sonnet turned towards Minuet and asked, "Outside?"

"What do you mean?," Minuet replied, her face puzzled. "We're just waiting for Resplendence?"

"No, I meant-" Sonnet looked Minuet in the eyes, "You smell the fire, right?"

Minuet paused for a moment, before realization hit her, "Oh, you meant that. I think the smoke's coming from the gardens... If I had to guess, I'd say Grandmother probably imported some new flowers from the Desert Region."

Minuet telepathically projected an image of the flowers their grandmother had brought in a few weeks ago, from both the Plains Region and the Desert Region. 

Sonnet giggled, remembering how the poor gardener hadn't realized the Desert Region flowers would bloom at night, essentially serving as a candle in the darkness. Unfortunately, the flowers from the Plains Region were especially flammable, so by morning, the entirety of that patch of flowers had been set ablaze. Thankfully some Quirlicorn had the foresight to plant the Desert Flowers on a small island, surrounded by water, so the other plants were spared. 

"But, I don't think Grandmother purchased anymore flowers," Minuet amended, "So I don't know what the fire is. It doesn't seem like it's a big fire, though. Probably just a small, controlled fire someone lit for some unknown reason."

Sonnet nodded, agreeing with her assessment. "Want to check it out?"

"Sure, we don't have much else to do while waiting."

The two foals walked towards the outside gardens, in the direction of the smoke. They pushed open a set of thick, stone doors, before arriving at the garden the fire was coming from. 

Sonnet let a small smile drift across his face as the cool, fresh summer air hit him. "It would be fun to go flying," he commented to his sister at his side. "Imagine flying amongst all those stars."

"Sounds fun but scary," Minuet answered.

"You could use the stars to guide your way!" 

"That'd be cool, wouldn't it?"

After walking in the direction of the fire, for just a few minutes, Sonnet and Minuet stumbled upon the cause of the fire.

"Resplendence!" Sonnet greeted his cousin cheerfully.

"Sonnet! Minuet! I thought I said I'd meet you inside!" Resplendence answered, "But no matter, you two found your way here!"

"So, what's the fire for?" Sonnet asked, gesturing towards the small bonfire with his left hoof. 

"We're making s'mores tonight," Resplendence explained, pulling out a box of fluffy white marshmallows, dark chocolate bars, and golden graham crackers. "Toast a marshmallow by the fire, add chocolate, and sandwich it all between two crackers! It's delicious!"

"Ooh, fun," Sonnet said. He reached out with his magic, to feel and play with the flames slightly. 

"Martine wants me to tell you two to try and get a golden brown marshmallow. But, I think a burnt marshmallow is the best," Resplendence said. 

Minuet looked at Sonnet, excitement filling her eyes. "What if we tried both?"

"Brilliant idea, Minuet." 

Later, once all three of them had eaten their fill of s'mores, and were laying on the ground, starwatching, Sonnet decided that his favorite s'more was the one that was cooked to a perfect golden color. (The other varieties, of varying degrees of burnt, were delicious though. There just was something special about having and eating the perfect marshmallow.)