While visiting Canterlot with Limestone, Marble runs into an energetic pony who could match her twin in cheerfulness. And she's cute. And wants to talk to her. And cute.

Naturally, Marble explodes from shyness.

Pre-read by: Timaeus
Ch. 1 Audio Reading by TheCaptainSand - Scarlett Blade

Marble decides to briefly come out of her shell and tries something different with Pinkie's hair.

Art not mine.

There's a problem at the Pie Quarry. One that Sunset Shimmer is uniquely equipped to handle.

Dealing with magic is easy. Dealing with cute quiet girls is too, but to solve this one, Sunset is going to need to dig deep. Real deep.

After the events of the first Apple/Pie Hearth's Warming celebration, two ponies wish to spend a little time getting to know each other better.

Exchanging gifts on Hearth's Warming has always brought ponies together and as it turns out, Big Macintosh and Marble Pie are about to learn this lesson first-hoof.

Many thanks to California Angel for the beautiful fanart used in the cover image.

Some might think that a pony without much to say doesn't have a lot going on in their minds. Those ponies would be wrong. In fact, it's usually the quiet ones that think the most.

Marble Pie thinks a lot. Most of the time, she thinks about rocks, and how scary everything else is.

Big MacIntosh thinks a lot. Most of the time, he thinks about apples, and how complicated everything else is.

Now, throughout the good times and the bad times of Hearth's Warming, they think about each other.

While enjoying a quiet afternoon in her cottage Fluttershy is suddenly surprised by Pinkie Pie, alongside her sister Marble Pie. Marble is visiting Ponyville, but because Pinkie is busy on that day she decides to leave her sister in the hooves of Fluttershy for the afternoon. As the two of them are alone, the shy mares begin to talk to each other.

Well, sort of.

Marble Pie doesn’t drink that often. When a party for her sister causes her to drink too much she finds her self in a scary predicament. She’s sleeping next to a stranger!

Marble Pie: The quietest of the Pie siblings. Really, that's all anypony can attribute to the mare, and she knows it. After overhearing some choice words from her family, Marble decides it's time to do something about it. It's time to go out and find her strength, to be strong for her family. Pinkie and Maud both succeeded when they left the farm, so why can't she?

A journey to Ponyville brings her to a literal legend of strength, the Pillar Rockhoof himself. Marble knows that through his teachings, she's sure she can become strong, strong enough to do...well. She's sure he can help her figure that out too! They'll all see! Limestone, Igneous, Maud and Pinkie; they'll all see Marble can become somepony great! What Marble isn't prepared for, though, is the truth Rockhoof helps her to unearth about herself. And what it truly means to be strong.

Pre-read by Sockpuppet and Raleigh! An entry for the May 2021 Original Pairings contest! Artwork by Flusanix!

Featured 5-18-2021, same day! You're far too kind to me, thank you!
Edit 6-3-2021: 2nd Place in May 2021 Original Pairings!

Marble loves her family.

She helps them, cares for them, and would never, ever treat them poorly.

She can't really say the same for herself.

Edited by Pascoite and Present Perfect.
Original art by Kaylemi.

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