PMOL Contest: Valentine from A Father

  "Artemis, come sit with me.  How was your day?"  The young heir of the night walked in, deliberate and dignified as they had seen their mother present herself many times before.  For one as small as them, it took considerable willpower for the loving mother to not coo and fuss as her elder sister did over her Iridescence (much to Chrysalis' protest).  Artemis was a proud child, and Luna would honor that, even as she toddled over with her chest puffed in a cloud of feathers and settled down next to her.

  "T'was a pleasant day, Mother.  My classes were quite informative, mealtimes were satisfying, and I only had to recover one book from my infant cousin."  Luna nodded in approval before her horn lit with magic and retrieved a carefully-sealed envelope, presenting it to a now-curious foal.  "I am pleased to hear as much.  Do you know what today is?"  Artemis rolled their eyes, despite how undignified it was, but they couldn't hold in their exasperation.  "Hearts and Hooves Day," they muttered with a tinge of disgust.  "I know.  I received some pink and lacy notes from some of my peers, everything was covered in crude hearts, and the sight of couples was abundant...  Although I did enjoy receiving your chocolates this morning.  Thank you, Mother." 

  Their attention once again turned to the envelope, bearing a familiar seal on aged paper.  "Why do you ask?"  Luna's smile turned gentle, a touch of sorrow in her eyes as she remembered her dear love and the care he took to write each special letter.  "Your father wanted to tell you something special, just as he does each time your birthday comes and he had advice he had the foresight to write to you."  Though Artemis had become familiar with this tradition by now, they were a little vexed by the timing.  A letter from Father?  On Hearts and Hooves Day?  What could be so special about this silly "holiday" where ponies practically tripped over their own hooves to court each other?  

  With delicate precision, their mother's magic opened the envelope and set it down, pulling out the folded parchment within.  Artemis was a quick study in their reading and writing, but they still struggled with longer words.  Still, they valiantly took hold of the letter in their mother's place and began to read the contents out loud after clearing their throat.

"Dearest Artemis,

  I can only imagine how much you've grown over the short years that have been the beginning of your life.  Indeed, the childhood is simul...  sim-ul-tan-ee-ous-ly a long journey to live through and all too short for those that watch you grow.  One word springs to mind when I think of you and how you will grow and learn and experience the world; Love.  It is a simple word, easy to use and say to others from family to friends to suitors, and yet it conveys so much.  There is... pass...  pash-ohn-ate love; hot and fiery, pushing one forward past all obstacles to take what you want and hold it like a jealous dragon's treasure.  There is brotherly love; steadfast and loyal to those who you place all trust in.  Then, there is unconditional love, and it is by far the most powerful.  This love does not see shortcomings or mistakes, it does not grow jealous or bitter.  It is enduring and eternal, unbreakable, and constant.  

  My child, this is the love I feel for you.  Though I know I can only hope that you understand what I mean and truly take my words to heart, I want you to never doubt that, even without meeting you, I love you, only as a proud father can.  Do not shun love, my little one.  Embrace it, unafraid and unashamed.  Love is truly what life is worth living for.

With all my heart, Happy Hearts and Hooves Day
-Daedalus "

  Luna's eyes were hot and watery, though she kept quiet as Artemis proudly read through the whole letter.  She could hear his voice again, through her child, as the words flowed, and she missed him.  She missed her dear friend, that kindred soul.  Despite themself, Artemis' mouth spread to a smile, chest puffing out and reading over the words again to herself.  Luna nuzzled her pride and joy, quietly saying "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day".


Hoo boy, this took a bit to draw out, mostly because I couldn't quite decide on how to pose.  When folks think of Valentine's Day, one can't help but think about couples kissing, giving chocolates and other surprises, all in the name of courtship.  However, love isn't simply romantic, and perhaps can be hardest to acknowledge with those that have passed away.  But I'm gonna start rambling if I go on, so I'll just say that I like how this came out.  

Except the background; it's supposed to be pink, but the scanner picked it up as yellow.  NO idea why. XD

This is a piece for Lopoddity 's contest, using Luna of MLP: FiM and her OC, Artemis.