Sweetie Belle smiled at me from across the kitchen table. "So what do you and Cherry have planned for today?"
I finished the last of my eggs before I replied. "Mom got us an appointment at the spa to start things off. I've been looking for an excuse to go back there."
Sweetie rolled her eyes. "You're going to do girly stuff?"
I smirked. "Um, Sweetie? You do realize you're a girl, too, right?"
"But not a girly girl, at least not yet."
"Says the pony who once used a love potion to set up Miss Cheerilee with Big Mac."
Sweetie Belle blushed hard. "That's totally not the same thing!"
I laughed. I loved teasing her about that too much.
"Ugh, please tell me you're not going to talk about boys all the time when you start high school," Sweetie grumbled.
Now it was my turn to blush. "I think I'm going to be too busy catching up with class work to worry about boys."
Before Sweetie could respond, I heard a soft splat, a clink of a spoon, and a soft snore.
I turned my head. Mom's eyes were closed, her head lowered. A feeble glow surrounded both her horn and the spoon she had just dropped into the middle of her oatmeal.
I exchanged a concerned glance with Sweetie before gently prodding Mom's shoulder with my fore-hoof. "Hey, you okay?"
"What?!" Mom cried as she jerked back to full consciousness. Her horn flared, and the spoon jerked hard, catapulting a glob of oatmeal across the table. I barely had time to avert my eyes before it landed on my face with a cold, wet splat.
Sweetie Belle burst out giggling.
I snatched a napkin in my magic and applied it to my face. "Eww, I don't want to wear your breakfast!"
"I'm terribly sorry, Candy," said Mom. She yawned. "I just can't seem to wake up this morning."
"You okay, Rarity?" Sweetie asked.
Mom sighed. "I didn't sleep very well at all last night."
I set the soiled napkin aside. "What happened?"
Mom rubbed her eyes with the back of her fore-hooves. "I had a horrible nightmare. I can't remember all the details, just that it had something to do with a monster made of blue smoke."
"Didn't Princess Luna help you with it?" said Sweetie.
"No, and I have to admit to feeling a bit miffed about that. I trust you both slept well?"
"Yeah, just fine," I said.
"Same here," said Sweetie Belle. "You going to be okay to do the pet-grooming thing?"
Mom's hooves clopped heavily to the floor as she left her chair. "Yes, I should be fine, but I may steal some of that special coffee blend the Princess keeps sending Candy."
"Please, steal away," I said.
She smiled. "Thank you. You best be off so you don't miss your spa date." She yawned again. "I'll try not to be envious."
I grinned as I left my seat. "It's early enough, let me at least clear the table for you."
"You're a dear, Candy, thank you," Mom said as she trotted to the coffee maker.
"I'll lend you a hoof," said Sweetie. "We can head over to the farm together. Me and the other Crusaders are going to put up more banners today."
I levitated dishes to the sink. "I thought you had pretty much plastered the town with them yesterday."
Sweetie frowned. "Yeah, but some were torn down. I'm going to try to secure them better with a spell I learned during my last Twilight Time."
Cherry smiled as we departed from the other Crusaders at the edge of town. They headed off with more banners in their cart pulled by Scootaloo's scooter, and we drifted towards the spa. "I'm really looking forward to this, Candy. But I do hope I can convince them to leave me with my simple mane style."
I grinned. "Where's your sense of adventure? Or did you forget the time back in our world when you experimented with that blue streak in your hair?"
She blushed. "Trust you to remember the one and only time I was at all rebellious. I find that this simple style is easy to care for when I don't have a fancy magical horn like you do."
"Sure, just tell them what you want. This is mostly for the pampering and relaxation. I don't really care about the fashion part." I leaned closer to her. "Don't let Mom know I said that last bit."
Cherry giggled. "Depends on what it's worth to you."
I gasped dramatically. "Blackmail! This is what it comes down to! For shame!"
Cherry laughed, and I grinned like a foal on Hearthswarming Day. "Maybe after the spa, if the others are still at the boutique, I can take a peek inside," said Cherry.
"You always were a sucker for cute animals. You should hang out with Fluttershy more often. But yeah, we can do that."
Cherry smiled. "Thank you."
"That way, you can check on Mom for me and see how she's doing."
"Oh?"
"She had trouble sleeping last night," I said. "Frankly, she looked dead on her hooves."
Cherry considered. "Really? Did she say what was wrong?"
"Something about having a nightmare."
Cherry gave me a concerned look as the boutique came into view in the distance at the end of the street. "What kind of nightmare? Did she tell you?"
"Something about a blue smoke monster."
Cherry's pupils shrank slightly.
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"The same thing happened to Applejack!" Cherry said. "Same nightmare."
I blinked. "Um ..."
"Does that mean something?"
I shook my head. "Coincidence. Has to be."
Cherry gave me a dubious look.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, come on, you're going to worry about that?"
"I may be new here, Candy, but I've already learned that things like that are never coincidence."
"Fine, but I'm ignoring it anyway. And so are you."
"But--!"
"No buts, Cherry, please. This--"
The unmistakable pop of teleportation magic suddenly sounded near the boutique. We turned and stared.
Cherry sighed. "Are you going to ignore that, too?"
"You mean Princess Luna teleporting right to the front door of the boutique and bursting inside?"
"Yes."
"Darn right I am." I turned to Cherry. "Look, this is our day. Okay, yeah, maybe all that meant something, but it's the same as with the yaks. It's a crisis, but not our crisis."
Cherry slowly smiled. "I guess I'm like you were with me. I just want to help."
"All six of them are in there. These are ponies who saved Equestria several times over. I think whatever it is, they can handle it without our help."
Cherry nodded. "I just know how close you and the Princess are."
I had to admit to a small twinge of guilt. Princess Luna had comforted me and helped steer me away from Chrysalis' influence, and for that I owed her a debt I could never repay. That she would never insist on such payment failed to affect my feelings. Though to be brutally honest, Cherry was far more dear to my heart, and I had to prioritize.
I smiled and steered her towards the spa. "Come on, let's get that country dust off you."
Cherry spoke in a decent, if exaggerated, rendition of Applejack. "Ah happen ta like mah country dust, thank ye kindly."
I altered my voice into a passable imitation of Mom and threw a fore-leg across my forehead. "Oh, darling, we have got to get you off that farm before they completely corrupt your fashion sense!"
We both laughed and headed inside.
Aloe and Lotus Blossom managed to convince Cherry to do something a little more interesting with her mane after all. The style she went with looked reminiscent of Silver Spoon's, with part of it done in a braid that hung over one side. When they started manipulating her hair with instruments held in little more than their bare hooves, Cherry blurted, "Please, show me how you do that!"
I laughed so hard I nearly slipped too far down in the mud bath. Cherry blushed bright red, but Aloe and Lotus Blossom smiled. "We would be most happy to show you some grooming techniques, dear," said Aloe.
"Your friend explained to us that you are still new to your body," said Lotus Blossom.
Cherry smiled. "Thank you, you're very kind. And thank you, Candy."
"Hey, what are friends for?" I said. "Anyway, I've been there. But don't the Apples teach you any of this stuff?"
"A little. They tend to keep their manes in rather simple arrangements. Applejack hardly has to do anything. It just sort of dries in that same state and she puts those bands around it anyway."
"I cannot recall ever seeing Applejack here," said Aloe.
"Miss Rarity threatens to drag her down here one day," said Lotus Blossom.
I smirked. "I'd pay bits to see that."
We lingered in the spa a little longer so Cherry could be taught how to use her hooves better to care for her hair. I let out a wistful sigh as I remembered my first time here. I would never have believed that I would eventually be calling Rarity my mother. Perhaps that's why I had opted for the same mane style that Mom had picked out for me back then.
I drifted towards the window as my memories flowed further into the past as they had that day. Unlike then, I didn't fight it. Thoughts of my birth mother did make my heart ache, but not with loss or guilt. I simply wished I could speak with her spirit somehow, if just to reassure her that things turned out okay for me.
My gaze drifted down the street, and I spotted the Crusaders chattering away to each other. Apple Bloom thrust a hoof off to the side, frowned, and stomped it back down. Scootaloo spoke, her wings buzzing in that nervous sort of way whenever she was upset. Finally, Sweetie Belle spoke and pointed a hoof towards the spa.
I sighed. Now what?
I turned as I heard hoof-falls behind me. I couldn't help but smile. Cherry sported a new saddlebag just as I had that day, and they were filled with brushes, shampoos, and other hair-care products. "Thank you so much for letting us stay a little longer, Candy."
I grinned. "Just be prepared for Applejack to shake her head at all that 'frou-frou' hair stuff."
Cherry giggled. "She did joke about not letting Rarity influence me through you. 'Fashionista by proxy' was the term she used, I believe."
I laughed. "Hey, so long as you make it clear your mane style was your idea, not mine."
Cherry smiled. "Well, I'm ready. Where are we going next?"
"You ever have a hayburger?"
"No, I haven't."
"Then you're in for a treat. Though, um ..." I glanced at the spa ponies. They were already tending to another customer. "I should've asked them if this place had a back door."
Cherry gave me a nonplussed look.
"Er, never mind. Let's go."
We stepped outside. No sooner had the door of the spa closed behind us when Apple Bloom's voice rang out: "Candy! Cherry! Somethin' terrible has happened!"
We turned around as the Crusaders ran up to us. "Girls, can this please wait until later? I really wanted this day to Cherry and myself."
"I'm sorry about this," Sweetie Belle said. "But I don't think it can wait."
"What's wrong?" Cherry asked.
Apple Bloom frowned. "Spoiled Rich, that's what!"
I frowned. "What more can she do? The Town Hall meeting is tomorrow."
"That's the problem!" Scootaloo cried. "She moved it up to today!"
"What??" Cherry cried.
"Can she do that?" I said.
"She's the one who made the petition," said Sweetie Belle. "So she can decide when the meeting is so long as the Town Council lets her."
"And ya know they never say no ta that old bat!" Apple Bloom declared.
I face-hoofed. "Great."
"Girls, when is the meeting scheduled for?" Cherry asked.
"It starts in ten minutes!" Scootaloo cried.
Cherry turned to me. "Candy, I'm really sorry, but I have to go."
"I know," I said. "Not your fault. Girls, did you tell Twilight and the others?"
"I tried ta, but most of 'em are plumb tuckered out," said Apple Bloom.
"What, all of them?"
"All six had the same nightmare," said Sweetie. "Rarity didn't explain the whole thing to me, but it has something to do with Princess Luna, and they have to help her sort it out."
"But they have ta wait til tonight since it's got somethin' ta do with the dream world," said Apple Bloom.
"Even Rainbow Dash looks kinda bad," said Scootaloo in a quavering voice.
"Dangit, Spoiled Rich changed the meetin' time on purpose!" Apple Bloom cried. "Jus' so they couldn't be there ta help our side!"
"Then why don't we go over there and help?" said Scootaloo.
"If they'll let us," Sweetie Belle grumbled.
"Scootaloo's right, we gotta try!" Apple Bloom declared. "Come on, Crusaders, let's go!"
All five of us galloped straight to the Town Hall, the earth ponies of the group nearly out-pacing the rest of us. By the time we got there with minutes to spare, Sweetie Belle and myself were gasping for breath. Scootaloo fared better, as she used her wings to give her some additional speed, but she was winded as well.
We arrived in time to see Spoiled Rich ushering in the last of the attendees. Their style of dress suggested they came from the upper crust of Ponyville society. Obviously she was packing the place with ponies sympathetic to her cause. Even the time was likely crafted to benefit her: eleven in the morning. Ponies would be anxious to get the meeting done and go to lunch.
As the last filed inside, Spoiled Rich turned at our approach and sneered. "Go home, little foals, this meeting is not for you."
"Who ya callin' a foal?!" Apple Bloom cried.
"Better to be a foal than a fool," I deadpanned.
Spoiled Rich narrowed her gaze. "This is not for under-aged ponies!"
Cherry stepped forward. "I am not underage."
"Allow me to clarify," Spoiled Rich said in an oily voice as another pony approached from inside. "Ponies who are of age and are registered citizens may attend."
"She is a citizen, Mrs. Rich," declared Mayor Mare as she emerged, carrying a long scroll. "She's in the official registry."
Spoiled Rich ground her teeth. "Very well."
Mayor Mare turned to Cherry. "You may go inside, Miss Blossom."
I stepped forward. "Wait! I want to talk to Cherry for a moment."
Spoiled Rich gave us a shark-like smile as she pulled out a pocket-watch. "You have thirty seconds until the meeting starts."
"Oh, come on!" Sweetie Belle cried.
"Yeah, that's real fair," Scootaloo muttered.
"This is my meeting, and my rules," Spoiled Rich said. "I, for one, intend to be punctual."
"Take as long as you need, Miss Swirl," said Mayor Mare.
Spoiled Rich whirled around to face the mayor. "I beg your pardon?!"
Mayor Mare frowned. "This may be your meeting, Mrs. Rich, but I am the final arbiter of interpreting protocol, and you are being unnecessarily obstinate!" She sighed. "But I concede that the sooner these proceedings start, the better. Miss Swirl, please make your consultation quick."
"Fine," I muttered as I gestured for Cherry to follow me a short distance from the Town Hall. "Cherry, you know what I'm going to ask."
"I don't know what I will tell them about me," said Cherry. "It depends on how the meeting goes."
"I kinda figured, but I had hoped you could warn me what to expect."
"I don't know myself. I wanted to discuss this with Twilight before the meeting."
I glanced back at the Town Hall. Spoiled Rich held her pocket-watch out, an impatient frown on her face. "Cherry, whatever you do, I'll support you the best I can. No matter what."
Cherry smiled and hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Candy, that means the world to me. I better get inside. I'll come find you soon as it's over."
"You won't have to, we'll be close by."
Cherry's smile widened. She turned and cantered into the Town Hall.
"About time," Spoiled Rich muttered as I stepped up to the other Crusaders. "No more delays! We start now."
"Wait!!" came a cry from above.
The other Crusaders and I turned as one and looked up. "Woo-hoo!" Apple Bloom cried, pumping her fore-hoof into the air.
Twilight landed nearby, and I remained only cautiously hopeful. She looked awful. Her mane was in disarray, and large bags were under her eyes. I almost recoiled in astonishment when Fluttershy landed heavily beside her, looking just as bedraggled.
Twilight stepped forward. "We're here for the ..." She interrupted her words with a large yawn. "... meeting."
I approached Fluttershy. "Are you okay?"
She gave me a small smile, her eyes half-lidded. "Tired, but okay."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I am," said Fluttershy. "I ... I feel I have to."
It took only a moment for me to figure it out. "Because of what you felt towards Sevfivtoo."
She nodded. "I thought maybe if something good could come out of it, I--"
"You're both too late," Spoiled Rich sneered. "The meeting started a minute ago."
"But how could it start if yer still out here flappin' yer gums?!" said Apple Bloom.
"Apple Bloom, please," said Twilight. "Applejack wouldn't want you talking like that, even if you're upset." She narrowed her bleary eyes at Spoiled Rich. "And even if you're right."
"We didn't know the time had changed until the Crusaders told us," said Fluttershy.
"That is not my problem," declared Spoiled Rich in a haughty voice. "As citizens of this town, it behooves you to--"
"Princess Twilight, Miss Fluttershy," said Mayor Mare. "Please step inside."
"Now, see here, Mayor!" Spoiled Rich cried.
Mayor Mare stepped aside to allow Twilight and Fluttershy inside before turning towards Spoiled Rich. "I am not about to deny the right to attend this meeting to ponies who have done so much to protect this town and its citizens! Whatever disagreements I have had with the Princess do not change that." She stepped closer to Spoiled Rich. "And do not think for a minute that I'm blind to what you're doing. You're attempting to deny the opposition a fair hearing. If anypony else shows up late, they will be allowed inside. Do I make myself clear, Mrs. Rich?"
Spoiled Rich frowned. "As crystal, Miss Mare," she muttered before heading inside.
Mayor Mare turned to us. "I apologize I cannot allow you all to attend. I can bend the rules only so far."
"We understand," I said before the other Crusaders could protest. "Thank you."
Mayor Mare nodded once before heading inside, the doors closing behind her.
"Dangit!" Apple Bloom grumbled.
"Wait, I have an idea for getting inside!" Scootaloo said. She pointed a hoof to an open window on the top floor. "What if I go fetch my scooter and the cart--"
"No," I said.
"--and we build a biiig ramp--"
"No."
"--and we all get in the cart--
"No!"
"--and we start from the other end of the street for a good run-up and--"
"Scootaloo, no!" I snapped. "You're not doing that!"
Scootaloo frowned. "Aw, you never let us do anything!"
"You mean I don't let you do things that will land you in the hospital," I said. "I got a better idea. There's some shaded picnic tables not far from here. I can make a run to the hayburger place and get us all lunch. My treat."
Sweetie Belle turned to me. "You don't think Rarity will object?"
I smirked. "What she doesn't know won't hurt us."
She smiled. "Sounds good to me."
"Yeah, I guess I'm hungry, too," said Scootaloo. She glanced at Town Hall and muttered, "I still think it would've worked ..."
The hayburger place was nowhere near as crowded as it had been the last time. As I had eaten there more times that Mom was privy to, I recognized some of the ponies who frequented it, as well as the employees. Perhaps that meant more ponies outside of Spoiled Rich's circle were attending the meeting. Of course, that said nothing of whose side they were on.
Anyway, I was grateful for the lack of line. A familiar young pegasus stallion with a red-orange coat and dark brown mane rushed up from behind the counter at my approach. He smiled as he hovered. "What can I get for you today, Miss?"
I glanced at the menu posted above the counter. "Four ... no, make that five number three combos to go." I decided to get one for Cherry, since she was going to be hungry when she got out of the meeting.
"Big party?" he said.
"Eh, something like that," I said with a sigh. "Considering how things are going today, more like comfort food."
He tilted his head. "Sorry to hear that. Hope everything's okay."
I managed a tiny smile. "Would take too long to explain, but, yeah, thanks."
He nodded and flew off, and I nearly did a double-take as I stared at what had been hidden behind him. One of the Crusaders' banners was tacked to the wall. This one read "SHOW WHAT FRIENDSHIP MEANS! LET KEVIN STAY!"
One corner of my mouth rose.
"You noticed that, huh?" said the pegasus. He flew back into view, gesturing with a fore-hoof towards the banner.
"Yeah, I did." I looked at him. "Did you put it up?"
"Nah, the owner did." He shrugged, his ears drooping. "I mentioned that it might drive away business, but he's kinda stubborn that way. This is the only time it's been this slow, though."
"The Town Hall meeting was moved up to today. It's going on now."
His ears perked up. "Well, cool, maybe it will pick up once it's over. Thanks for the heads-up."
He had never engaged me in this much conversation before, though I supposed it was only because of a lack of line behind me. Now that I had a better look at him, he seemed a little younger than I had initially assumed. He had a cutie mark, though I couldn't quite ... no, now I could see it. Several horizontal lines with curls at one end were set against a bright sun.
I suddenly realized he had turned himself around in mid-air as he hovered. Did he do that on purpose so I could see it better?
Some of Mom's words from The Talk came back to me: While ponies certainly like to have their cutie marks admired by others, their placement is unfortunately on a part of the body that is often the first noticed when ... how do I put this delicately ...
I didn't care how delicately she had put it, I stopped that line of thinking right there and shifted my eyes to his face. My thoughts had not been going past mere curiosity, and I didn't want to give him the wrong idea.
His amber eyes turned inquisitive. "Mind if I ask you something?"
"Depends on what it is," I said in a wary voice. Had he thought I had been staring, and now he was ...
"What's your name?"
... or maybe not. "Oh, it's Candy Swirl."
"I'm Summer Wind," he said. "I don't remember seeing you around school. You new in town?"
So he was younger than I had thought, likely closer to my age. "Yeah, just starting at Ponyville High this year."
Summer smiled. "Hey, great. Maybe I'll see you around."
"Yo, Summer!" a voice from the kitchen shouted. "The filly's order is ready!"
"Got it!" Summer zipped away.
On the bright side, at least I would already know somepony when I started school. He seemed nice enough, so long as he wanted to keep it at simple friendship. Had I seriously been worried that he would ask me out on a date or something?
I was likely worrying over nothing, but I wanted to cringe at the memory of boys asking me out back on Earth when I was still stricken with grief and guilt. Not that I didn't like boys, but my head just hadn't been in that space.
I had no idea how long it would take before I would be ready for it here. My body may be pony and hard-wired to equine biology, but my emotions were still playing catch-up. Nopony could make me rush it, though now I wondered just how much peer pressure would affect me.
Summer returned and placed a box containing five bags on the counter. "Here you go."
I started to count out bits. I really needed to deflect any further conversation suggesting any sort of "interest" he may have in me, at least until I could handle it better. I looked at the sign again, and then glanced at the sparsely populated restaurant. "Okay, so now I get to ask you a question."
Summer blinked. "Uh, sure. What's up?"
I gestured towards the banner. "What do you think about all this?"
Summer's eyes darted to the banner, and he scratched his head with his fore-hoof. "I guess I haven't, not really. Kinda out of my hooves, you know?"
"Yeah, but you must have some sort of opinion on it."
Summer grinned. "Wow, you're really direct, aren't you?"
"Flattery will get you nowhere," I deadpanned. "So what about it?"
Summer shrugged. "I dunno, I mean, has this Kevin guy done anything wrong?"
I transferred the remaining bits to the counter. "Not that I know of."
Summer swept up the money with his hooves and carried it to the register. "Well, then, I guess it's no big deal. I mean, yeah, I'd probably not want to be around him much, but, hey, he's a changeling. How would I ever know, right?"
At first, his answer seemed to boil down to "don't ask, don't tell," but perhaps that was unnecessarily harsh. That it was the first thing that came to mind reflected more my own world rather than this one. He likely meant that it just wasn't on his radar. It seemed like an honest response.
I hefted the packaged meals in my magic, the aroma making my stomach rumble. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks."
Summer smiled. "Hope to see you around, Candy."
Children being what they are, the Crusaders had managed to find some other topic to keep them occupied. I let them converse among themselves and quietly ate my lunch, leaving Cherry's meal off to the side. My silent contemplation was interrupted when Rainbow Dash flew up to us. "Hey, girls, what's shaking?"
Scootaloo perked up at once and smiled. "You're looking better than when I saw you earlier."
Rainbow smiled and zipped over to Scootaloo. She rubbed a fore-hoof in the filly's mane. "Yeah, I took a quick power nap. Thanks for noticing, Scoots."
Scootaloo beamed.
Rainbow still looked tired to me. Her eyes were still a bit bloodshot, and her flying was slower than usual. Her gaze fell on the lone hayburger meal. She grabbed it in her fore-hooves. "Need me to take this extra meal off your -- hey!"
I snatched it from her with my magic. "That's for Cherry!"
"Okay, no need to get sore. Sorry."
I sighed as I put the bag down. "No, it's okay. Sorry, just a little on edge."
"Yeah, I can tell." Rainbow looked towards Town Hall. "Are they still in the meeting?"
"Yeah, an' it feels likes it's been ages since they started," complained Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle slurped down some of her milkshake. "I don't know whether taking this long is a good thing or a bad thing."
Rainbow smirked. "Probably just the egghead giving one of her long speeches. If she doesn't doze off halfway through it, that is."
Scootaloo suddenly thrust a fore-hoof to the side. "Look! I think it's over!"
"Finally!" Apple Bloom said.
I turned my head. Ponies poured out of the Town Hall.
"Should one of us go back and tell the others where we are?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I'm on it," said Rainbow before she winged her way towards the crowd.
Even before Rainbow reached the Town Hall, I caught sight of Twilight, standing face to face with Matilda. The donkey's gaze was downcast, and Twilight spoke softly to her. Just as Rainbow Dash landed near them, I saw Fluttershy and Cherry. Then I finally noticed Matilda was crying.
"That don't look good," said Apple Bloom in a glum voice.
I sighed as I saw first Twilight, then Fluttershy give Matilda a hug. Matilda then turned around and drew Cherry into a tight hug as well. Nopony looked happy.
Sweetie Belle's ears drooped. "I think you're right, Apple Bloom."
Scootaloo cast her eyes downward. "Aw, all that work, and it didn't mean anything."
To my surprise, I heard not a single complaint about a lost opportunity to gain a cutie mark. They really had thrown their hearts into this. I felt almost as bad for them as I did for Cherry.
My eyes darted about the now thinning crowd. I frowned as I realized some were casting odd looks at Cherry. As the last of the ponies departed, Mayor Mare emerged from the Town Hall alongside Applejack.
"Wait, I don't remember her being at the meeting," I said.
"Yeah, I fergot ta tell ya," Apple Bloom said with a faint smile. "My sis showed up while ya were at the hayburger place and galloped right in."
Scootaloo grinned. "Ha! I would've loved to see Spoiled Rich try to give her a hard time."
Applejack concluded her conversation, and she joined Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Cherry as they slowly headed towards our table. "Let me guess," I said when they were within earshot. "You have bad news."
Twilight sighed. "The Town Council voted in favor of Spoiled Rich's petition. Kevin won't be able to move here."
Apple Bloom banged a fore-hoof on the table. "Consarn it!"
"Normally I'd warn ya ta watch yer language," said Applejack. "But ya ain't even near as upset as I am right now."
"It was a narrow vote, though," Fluttershy said.
Applejack frowned. "An' Mayor Mare coulda overrode 'em. Considerin' how she was sick of Spoiled Rich, I'm kinda surprised she didn't."
Fluttershy shuddered. "The shouting between them was terrible."
Twilight turned to Applejack. "I understand Mayor Mare's reasons for accepting the Council's vote, even if I don't agree with them."
"What is with Spoiled Rich anyway?" Apple Bloom demanded. "Does she dream of kickin' puppies every night or somethin'?!"
Sweetie Belle frowned. "More like beating up changelings in her sleep."
Rainbow Dash coughed and looked away.
Cherry had not said a word, standing with her gaze downcast. I slid out of my seat and trotted up to her, placing a hoof gently on her shoulder. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."
She lifted her gaze and brushed a few strands of her mane from her troubled eyes. "Thank you."
Applejack stepped up to us. "Ya can be mighty proud of yer friend here, Candy. She told the whole truth 'bout herself without battin' an eye."
That was the last thing I wanted to hear, and my heart lurched when I saw Cherry staring at me, as if trying to gauge my reaction. None of my protests or worries mattered anymore, and I pulled her into a hug to prove that. I heard her sniffle once as she wrapped her fore-legs tightly around me.
Rainbow Dash asked the question that I wanted to but felt would be inappropriate coming from me. "So, um, how'd they take it?"
"As best as we could hope for," said Twilight. "Some shock, a little fear, but nothing outright hostile."
"An' I got there in time ta stop Spoiled Rich from stirrin' up the pot," said Applejack. "If the Apples give their hospitality ta somepony, I consider 'em like family so long as they're under our roof. An' I ain't gonna let nopony badmouth family."
I broke off the embrace with Cherry in time to see Twilight smile and say, "It really helped when Fluttershy spoke up for Cherry, too."
Fluttershy blushed. "I just thought if they saw somepony like me wasn't afraid of her, maybe nopony else had to be, either."
"She tried ta do the same fer Kevin, too," said Applejack. "An' I think it swayed some folks. Jus' not enough."
"Applejack, did we help any?" Apple Bloom said.
"Did anypony listen to us?" said Sweetie Belle.
"Did any of that work pay off at all?" asked Scootaloo.
Applejack smiled. "Considerin' how many ponies I saw sportin' yer buttons? Yeah, I'd say so."
The Crusaders smiled at each other and clopped a fore-hoof together.
Twilight stepped up to Cherry and me. "It seems Ponyville is just not ready for this yet." She turned to Cherry. "I'm really sorry, I know you revealed the truth about your origins in hopes it would sway their decision. That must've been hard for you."
I shivered. So much of this was eerily reminiscent of my past struggles. Cherry had shown more courage than I ever had in that regard; I had to be forced into the reveal concerning my origins, while she chose her own time and place.
"I had a little talk with the Mayor," said Applejack. "She's gonna keep me informed if anypony tries ta stir up anything against Cherry, but, honestly, I think it's gonna be okay."
I turned to Cherry. "I know you might not have much of an appetite right now, but I got you lunch from the hayburger place. I can cast the reheat spell on it."
Cherry nodded. "I am hungry, thank you." She smiled, though I could tell it was partially forced. "Maybe we can salvage the rest of the day. I think I could use a distraction."
I doubted that we would have nearly as much fun as I had originally planned, but Cherry needed me, and I wanted to be there for her like she had done for me so many times in the past. I managed a small smile of my own. "Of course. I'd be happy to."
The moon had just risen when Mom glanced out the window as she neatly placed the dishtowel back on its holder. "Now, Candy, I need to head over to the castle, and I'll likely be there all night."
"Yeah, that's fine," I said in a listless voice as I rested my head on my crossed fore-legs at the table.
"Even if we manage to help Princess Luna deal with this Tantabus-thing quickly, I see no reason to interrupt my beauty sleep, especially given how exhausted I am."
"Yeah, fine."
"Speaking of sleep, please get to bed on time," said Mom. "While I'm delighted you've taken an interest in the Shadow Spade novels that I like so much, you've spent far too many nights staying up late to read them."
I traced random patterns on the table with the edge of a fore-hoof. "Uh-huh."
"And do remember that if a flock of deadly were-breezies descends upon the boutique that they can be repulsed with sour cream and doughnuts while singing the Equestrian anthem."
"Got it." A few seconds later, I stopped, blinked, and turned my head. "Wait, what??"
Mom smiled tightly. "So you are listening to me."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm listening, you didn't have to go make up something like that. Er ... that was made up, right?"
Mom stepped up to me. "Are you still upset with what happened today? I'm terribly sorry I couldn't be there."
I waved a hoof. "Mom, it's fine, I don't think it would've mattered if you were there or not. Look, can I just go with you to the castle?"
"We've been over this before. According to Princess Luna, you're not linked to her dreams as we are. There would be nothing for you to do."
"Other than maybe show my support for her. That'll be better than I've been doing for Cherry!"
Mom gave me a confused look. "Whatever are you talking about?"
I sighed and dropped my head over my fore-legs again. "Never mind. See you in the morning, I guess."
"No," said Mom. "Out with it. What's wrong?"
I closed my eyes tightly. "I feel like maybe I should've helped Cherry more with Kevin. Maybe if I had really thrown myself into it like the other Crusaders had, it could've made a difference."
"I seem to recall you were on the fence about the issue."
I frowned and lifted my head. "That doesn't matter! I should've been there for her."
Mom considered. "Did Cherry say anything to you?"
"No, she hardly said a word for the rest of the day after that stupid meeting."
"Then I suggest that she did feel supported," said Mom.
"I feel more like I was trying to push her away from helping Kevin."
"Oh, but, dear, you had only her safety in mind when--"
I turned to her. "Just before I left her at the farm, I tried to cheer her up by reminding her that she could still help the changelings by doing what she's been doing with Twilight, and she said: it's not enough." I threw up my fore-hooves. "What's that supposed to mean? I couldn't get her to explain it to me."
Mom glanced at the window. "Candy, I truly wish I could help you through this, but I really need to go." She placed a hoof on my shoulder. "We can talk more about it in the morning. Until then, give yourself a break. Stop being hard on yourself."
Maybe I did need to take a step back. My emotions were too jumbled for me to make any sense about what I really felt. Earlier, I fought the urge to run back to the farm and insist Cherry talk to me. That would have likely made matters worse.
Fear tinged all my thoughts about Cherry, and I wasn't sure why. "I'll try. Thanks."
Mom smiled and headed towards the door.
"Um, Mom? You were kidding about were-breezies, right? Because I don't know everything about this world yet, and ..."
Mom stopped at the door, smiled, and winked before she headed out.
I dropped my head to the table and covered it with my fore-hooves. "Ugh, I really hate it when she does that."