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"What a lovely day for a walk," a deep voice crooned softly. A large brown draft stallion with black socks walked leisurely around the large lagoon. He stood taller than most but his demeanor showed his quiet and gentle nature. His long, midnight black hair swayed in the soft breeze as always; it gave him that Loreal look. Honeysuckle was the local florist and adored finding new flowers. It had been awhile since his children moved out on their own and poor Honey was quite lonely in his home. Where once his son would be rehearsing for his next play or his daughter would be fussing over some new outfit of hers there was only the buzzing of bees and the occasional chime of wind chimes. Meeting Rose had been wonderful but the two were not yet fully together, something Honey hoped to change very soon. But for now he concentrated on ensuring all his clients had the best bouquets in the park.

Lately his clients had mentioned water grown flowers presented in little water bowls. Curious he looked into it and decided to see if any of the plants could be relocated to the bright, happy pond in his large garden. Cattails and other such plants were already present through nature's intervention. They made for great fillers but he wanted something with a bit of color to really bring it together. So every now and then his large head would push through the reeds and tails to see if any lovely bloom was waiting to be taken to his home.

As he pulled his head from the tall grass Honey swore he head the small sniffling of a foal. Given his large family and his own nature he was always there with tissues a plenty and a warm large shoulder to cry on. But he doubted any of his large family would be in this place. Quietly walking towards the sound he peeked over the reeds to see an unusual sight! Honey had met all the kinds of phonies in this park, even the new flutter and carousel phonies. But this one was entire new to him. She was green as the summer grass with cloud white hair. But what caught his eye was mermaid tail attached where her back hooves should be. Well this was most interesting!

The little looked alone, though not frightened. More so she looked forlorn and sad. Always the heart of a father he trotted quietly over and poked his head gently through the grass near her. His horn helping part the stems from his eyes he smiled at the young one, "Such a beautiful day yet I see some rain is falling from your pretty eyes. What is wrong little one? Such a fine day doesn't warrant such a sad face." His voice was a deep baritone, slow and steady in speech.

Honey blinked softly as the little filly told him of her woes. Lonely? Hmm, she did appear to be alone. But surely her family could keep her company. Using his magic he took a soft cattail from it's reed and used it's soft fluffy fuzz to wipe away her tears. "Ah there there now. No need to feel lonely. A lovely young filly like you must have many friends," he smiled softly, "And your family is always there for you yes?" He couldn't imagine there being only one kind of this phony, many times phonies banded together like his Rose did with the other carousels.

Lifting his head up high he used his magic to gently push aside the reeds, careful not to break or hurt any of them despite his massive bulk. His true size was revealed as he took a seat near by, always stepping ever so carefully around the plant life. He even spoke a few times, apologizing and excusing himself as he pushed through until he reached his space to better speak to the filly. "There must be more of your kind here, do they not keep you company?"

Honey smiled as she mentioned friends. Good, at least she had someone to play with. And there were more of her but as she spoke he saw the tears forming again. Then the reveal, the dear little merfilly had no family. She was alone in this world despite a sea of friends. Honey couldn't stand to see her cry any more. Honey had no natural children but his twins were the most precious things to him. He found their blister packs and raised them into wonderful adults. How could this one not have someone taking care of her?

Honey moved partly into the water, just enough to pull the young filly into his arms and hold her against his chest. She was still in the water but also in his arms. "There there little one. No tears. I can't stand to see a lovely filly cry," he smiled softly down at her. Then a thought occurred to him. It seemed a bit difficult given the filly's obvious need for water but he quickly did an inventory of his home and decided he could make it work. If she agreed that is.

"Ah yes, it can be lonely without family. I have two children of my own but they are adults now and don't live with me any more. One even has children of her own. I don't always get to see them so my stable is lonely as well," he dried her eyes with the cattail again, "I found them as little blister packs. They were all alone and I was all alone. So we came together and made a family. Now I am alone in my stable again, without a dear little one to take care of."

"Yes my dear, I'm afraid I am quite lonely. I have a lady friend that visits me sometimes but it's not the same as having a little one to take care of," he smiled as his magic took a tissue from one of his saddle bags and wiped her face. "There now. Pretty as a picture."

He continued to hold her, occasionally stroking her hair. "Yes I am very happy I found them. And I would love to have more." He looked down at her, "Even if they had a little fish tail instead of hooves." His arms were warm despite the cool water, his chest moving slowly back and forth as the large draft breathed. His whole demeanor was one of calm and reflection. "It would be nice to show someone my large garden. I grow flowers and sell them to people who want pretty flowers in their home."

He smiled, glad the little one was smiling now. He enjoyed seeing happy foals. As she began to gush about his garden he knew his decision would be a good one. If she would agree, things could be happy for both of them. "Yes, a garden. It is very large filled with all sorts of flowers, bushes, and trees. All of them are in full bloom right now. But I've been wanting to grow some water flowers in the big pond."

He chuckled deeply as she said she grew plants as well and asked to see his garden. "Why of course you can. I would love to have the company of another who loves plants," he gave her a soft nuzzle. Then he looked to her tail. "Forgive me for asking but how exactly are we going to get you there. I can always carry you."

Honey chuckled softly at the filly's enthusiasm. Standing he nodded, considering it. Well she was already upset about being lonely so he didn't want her to get upset if she fell or was clumsy. So using his magic he lifted her gently onto his back. "I will carry you little one, not to worry. And you can swim around the pond once we get there. It's easy to see all the plants from there."

Walking along the road towards his home he told her of all the plants he grew and that he was called a florist. He designed groups of flowers based on their meaning and color. If someone wanted to say something special without words they would use flowers.

Finally they came upon his simple cottage and the vast garden he tended. Walking to the large pond he placed the little one inside then looked around. "Do you like it?"

As they walked and talked Honey learned the little one's name was Holly Mistletoe. An appropriate name for such a green phony though he did chuckle and ask if she always gave kisses considering her name. He enjoyed her enthusiasm about flowers and admired her dreams of doing more than just his simple work.

He walked around the pond as the little filly looked things over, telling her about a few flowers as she stopped to admire them. Finally she said what he had been waiting for. Hopefully she meant it.

"Well little one, if you like, you can live here with me. We can be a family. You will have a big brother and sister, even little nieces and a nephew," he settled down near the pond so she could swim over to him. "I've got a nice fountain in the shed I could put in a room to be your bed. And we can move any of your plants here."

He smoothed her wet hair back a bit a smiled, "And as your daddy I will teach you everything I know about plants."