I’m in a fire. Collapsing buildings and burning ponies. No matter how far I run, the scenery is always red. This is a vision of ten years ago. A memory of the distant past I haven’t remembered in a while. I run through it, as if recreating the scene. There’s no escape even though I know it’s a dream. I run, run, keep running. In the end, where I end up is how I’m saved after running out of energy.
“……” I wake up with a bad feeling. A feeling like a metal weight is inside my chest. I feel my forehead and find that I’m sweating a lot even though it’s winter.
“…Oh, it’s already this late?” It’s already past six o’clock. From the kitchen, I can hear the sound of the kitchen knife cutting something.
“Sweetie is early as usual.” There’s no time to be impressed. I have to get ready quickly and go help breakfast.
“Storm, what are you gonna do today? Will you be working this afternoon cause it’s Saturday?” Said Pinkie.
“No, I don’t have work today. I think I’ll be doing something with Applejack. Why?”
“Oh, nothing. I just hoped you might come and visit me at the gym today. I’m in a pinch this month.”
“Hm? In a pinch? What is?”
“My wallet. I’d be really happy if somepony made me lunch.”
“I refuse. It’s your own fault, so you should skip a meal once in a while.”
“Heh, I’m not expecting anything from Strom. The only one I’m depending on is Sweetie. Right, Sweetie?”
“Yes. If you don’t mind having the same lunch as me, I can prepare one.”
“Yep, fine, fine. Let’s eat lunch together today then.” Breakfast continues as usual. Today, along with the usual, there’s simmered lotus root with tofu. I don’t think she has to make anything this elaborate for breakfast, but I think she made a lot of it to take for lunch too. Sweetie is a member of the archery club, and Pinkie is in charge of the archery club. It’s natural for them to share lunches.
“Oh yeah, Storm, you were late this morning. Did something happen?” Pinkie looks at me, sipping her miso soup. …Geez. She’s usually slow, but she gets sharp only at times like this.
“I had a dream about my past. I just woke up grouchy, that’s all.”
“I see, nothing unusual. I’m relieved.” Pinkie ends the conversation like she’s not interested. I’m not worried at all about it either, so I shouldn’t get mad about it. Ten years ago. I used to have nightmares back when I couldn’t get the fire out of my mind. But I saw less of it as time passed, and I’m well over it now that I can let it slide even after dreaming about it. …But I guess it was pretty bad back then. Since Pinkie has been here since that time, she’s sensitive to my change.
“Storm, are you not hungry? You don’t happen to have no appetite this morning, right?”
“I am hungry. I’m fine, so don’t try to take my food using my dream as an excuse.”
“Man, I’m glad you’ve gotten so strong, but personally, I wish you were more delicate.”
“That’s my line. I wish you’d be more sweet.” We make fun of each other without looking at each other. That proves my liveliness, and Pinkie laughs with relief. “…Heh.” To be honest, I’m glad she’s worrying. But she’ll be elated if I thank her, so I act like I’m discontented.
“Hm?” Not knowing the circumstances, Sweetie looks puzzled the way we’re acting.
Bruise +1 point check
No Bruise check