//------------------------------// // Chapter 10, Decompressing // Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 5 -- Faded Memories // by shysage //------------------------------// Until the Hamburger and water came, Shysage and his Mare just sat on the couch together. They sat next to each other, and Shysage was hugging his Mare. This seemed to be enough for right now. Still, Summer was frowning, and looking down. The guest house was roomy, and very nice inside. And it was quiet, except for the slow ticking of an old Grandfather Clock in the corner. Sitting still, being in the quiet, with his Mare, was absolutely amazing for Shysage right now. "Summer, how are you doing?" Shysage asked quietly. Summer slowly raised her head, and kissed Shysage softly on his cheek. Then she looked down again. Equestria Girls Summer and Fluttershy were at the door at this point, and Fluttershy knocked. Shysage let them in, and a Hamburger, Fries, and a bunch of water bottles were soon waiting on a table next to the kitchen. Fluttershy gave Shysage a cell phone too, already programmed with the Equestria Girl's numbers. Shysage explained to Equestria Girls Summer how to get to his 'shack'. He also explained how to get in, and where he kept his electric razor. The Equestria Girls were quickly gone, and Shysage helped his Mare to the table. She was hungry, and quickly ate the entire Hamburger. Shysage told her that was ok. He helped her with the fries though, mostly because she needed water right now, not Salt. But he cautioned her about drinking too much water with the burger. Shysage texted Fluttershy about picking up another burger, and some good cereal and some milk. The Equestria Girls sisters soon returned with the stuff Shysage had requested, and Shysage ate half of the burger, and wrapped the rest up and put it in the frig with the milk. Equestria Girls Summer asked Shysage's Mare if she wanted to Soul-Link, and she said not yet. Still, the Equestria Girls both hugged both Summer and Shysage, and headed out the door. Shysage left Summer at the table for a few minutes, as he shaved quickly. He knew his Mare appreciated this. After this was done, he came back out, and walked over to the couch, re-arranged the pillows, took his White sweatshirt off, and was soon laying on his back on the couch with his head propped up some on the pillows. His Mare took her sweatshirt off too, and was quickly laying on the couch next to Shysage with her back against the back of the couch. Well, they both still had the rest of their 'Shysage' clothes on. Summer's face was up against Shysage's face though, she really did like that. Summer kissed Shysage occasionally, but was content at this point just to be near him, and he realized this. She was not smiling though. Even as a 'people', Summer still had healing bruises on her face and head. Shysage just gently kissed a few of them. He was 'owning' them. He loved his Mare, bruises and all. He doubted Summer realized what he was doing though. "Summer, just being here with you is heaven for me, but you need to let me know how I can help you." Shysage said softly. "Just stay next to me for now, Stallion" Summer said softly back. Shysage was a little concerned how the next day or two would go. As a pony, Shysage was pretty good at managing his 'desires', since his responses were pretty muted, since he wasn't from Equestria originally. Although, this was clearly shifting over time. However, here in his home world, Shysage knew things were vastly different. He would have far less control, and would respond far more quickly. And Summer was amazingly beautiful as a 'people' too. In Fluttershy's apartment, Shysage had promised his Mare he would 'take care of her', and this meant making her feel like the Princess she is. As a pony, Shysage was pretty good at making her feel this way, with few risks. That wouldn't happen if they were 'people'. Well, the bottom line was that Shysage would give his Mare what she wanted, what she needed. Whatever was required to help her work through the nightmare she had just endured -- that is what he would pursue. He decided to tell her that. "Summer, just so you know, you are in charge here. I want to do whatever I need to do to help you with what you have been through." Shysage said this softly to his Mare. "I know Shysage. I love you. I'm so glad to be with you again." She said softly back, then kissed him. Summer's voice still reflected the pain she carried inside. This would probably be the best guage of how she was doing. Shysage also guessed his Mare would probably need to cry some more at some point, the sooner the better, probably. Shysage thought about asking what had happened to her, which WOULD make her cry. Then he realized that he needed to wait until she was ready -- she would tell him what happened when she was ready, and would probably be crying as she did this. They lay there, together, quietly for maybe an hour. (opt:btm5a) They both enjoyed just being together for maybe half an hour more. Then Shysage got an idea. "Summer, I am going to see if I can find something here, then I will be right back, is that ok?" Shysage asked. "Just hurry back, Stallion" Summer said softly. Shysage quickly found what he was after in the bedroom -- a hairbrush. He brought it back to the couch. "Summer, can I brush your hair for a little while?" Shysage asked. Summer said nothing, but quickly sat up, and moved to the edge of the couch. Shysage moved around behind her and began to brush her hair with the brush. They brushed each other's hair a lot as ponies. It was just a simple way of serving, and recently, loving each other. Evidently, Summer appreciated it now too. "Shysage, thank you, I..." Summer said, then began to cry... "Should I stop, Summer?" Shysage asked softly. "No, it feels like heaven... I just need you to lo--" she said this much, then couldn't talk any more. Shysage put his free hand gently on Summer's shoulder and just held her like that while he brushed her hair. For maybe ten minutes, Shysage brushed his Mare's hair, gently, lovingly. Summer didn't move. But during that time, Summer's crying became deeper. Then she turned around abruptly, buried her face on Shysage's chest, and began to sob... Shysage just leaned back against the back of the couch, and pulled her up into his lap, and hugged her tightly. Summer wrapped her arms around her Stallion and hugged him back... Summer was crying gut-wrenching sobs, and Shysage was soon crying like this too. The two trips he had made to the Portal were both terrible. They just cried together for over an hour, then Shysage's crying slowed. "Summer, do you want to tell me what happened?" Shysage asked, still crying some himself. She tried while crying pretty hard... "Well, she tried to touch me where she shouldn't, and I told her I was your Mare. Then she tried to make me touch her, and I resisted, and said the same thing... "It all just made her mad, and she hit me really hard a bunch. Then she said you wouldn't want me any more... Then I was in that jail... I cried out to true friend, and called to you, but I hurt so much, I couldn't... "Shysage, it was awful... Hurting, and waiting... It was ter--" Summer stopped trying to talk, and just cried some more... "No wonder" Shysage thought to himself... 'hurting and waiting'... His Mare had to do that for the two and a half months his memory was gone too... Hurting and waiting... Shysage's mind kept replaying this as his Mare cried in his arms... Hurting and waiting... Shysage decided they had waited long enough. "Summer, when you are ready, I want to make you feel like a Princess, as I promised I would. You tell me when, and we will need to change back to ponies, but--" Summer looked up at him, and said softly "Stallion, I thought you'd never ask..." Then she SMILED... Still, Shysage was deeply humbled... His Mare had waited for him to offer... Even when her own well-being was at stake, she was considerate, and tried to be patient... (opt:btm5b) Shysage was soon weeping softly, because his Mare was smiling again, and her voice was almost 'normal'... Shysage tried to say "Summer, it means more to me than you will ever know that you sound bet--" Summer just said "Oh, Shysage..." then hugged him. For an hour or so, they just hugged tightly, wept softly together, and also kissed some. They both liked that. Then they both fell asleep. Well, Summer moved against the back of the couch, then they fell asleep. When Shysage woke up in the morning, Summer was gently kissing his face. He just kissed her back. And Summer was smiling again... "Summer, I love your smile..." Shysage said softly... "Good, Stallion, because I want to go get my sister." Summer said, about as 'matter of factly' as possible. Then she handed him the cell phone. Shysage texted Summer's Twin "Ready to go get Summer's sister when you both are ready. Maybe let the others know too. Come get us when it is convenient, and thank you." Summer and Shysage did some tidying up. This was a really nice place. Then they had some breakfast. Summer had milk and cereal, and Shysage ate the rest of the Hamburger, after heating it up in the 'microwave'. "Hi, Twin" Summer said when Equestria Girls Summer was in range of the Twin Link. Shysage was pretty sure his Mare's Twin was now crying. (She was.) His Mare was doing a LOT better. They went outside and waited for their ride. The Principal sisters walked over at this point, and they all hugged tightly. "Your guest-house is very nice. Maybe we can stay here again some time." Summer said. "You both are welcome at any time" Vice-principal Luna said with a smile. "Keep us posted on your progress please, and if you have any word on Princess Luna, let us know" Principal Celestia said quietly. "Of course" Summer replied. Summer's Twin and Equestria Girls Fluttershy pulled up in the Mustang. Everypony was quickly hugging everypony again. The Principal sisters headed back to their house, and the Summers, Fluttershy and Shysage drove back to Fluttershy's apartment.