Pixyglitter was amazed at how much more free she felt just being able to walk again. The special medical boots with which she had been outfitted were uncomfortable, but they immobilized the sprains so that she could walk without doing further damage as her tendons healed. Though it took her by surprise, the sensation that tasted of freedom was quite welcome.
"Thanks for talking me into coming out today," Pixyglitter muttered sheepishly at Cloud Blazer.
"Don't... mention..." he puffed.
He still had much more difficulty moving about than she did, even though her injuries were more recent. They were approaching Sweet Apple Acres. She could always tell when they were nearby; a rich earthy smell filled the air. While Pixyglitter didn't really know anything about farming, she thought the scent was appropriate. It reminded her of the farms in the countryside surrounding Manehattan where she grew up. The sound of the workers plowing and shouting to one another was easily heard as they drew steadily closer.
Walking proved somewhat more challenging than the wheelchair had been. One of the doctors had been teaching her to use a cane to feel her way ahead, but today she was following closely behind Sweetie Belle. Once or twice she had stumbled but was able to catch herself. The whole thing was frustrating, but she was beginning to ignore that fact in favor of the relative freedom gained by walking in the sun.
"I need... to sit... a minute..." Cloud Blazer said, drawing heavy breaths.
"Sure thing," Sweetie Belle said.
Pixyglitter could hear him sit in the wheelchair that Sweetie Belle had been pushing. It creaked as the fittings and fabrics began supporting his weight.
"We've gone farther today," Pixyglitter said.
"We're almost at the barn," Sweetie Belle replied.
Pixyglitter heard hoof-steps and smelled sweat approaching them from their left side. She guessed it would be Apple Bloom.
"Howdy y'all!" the farm-pony called out.
"Hey Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle greeted her.
"Sure is a hot one, eh Cloud Blazer?"
"Heh... not... hot... enough!"
Pixyglitter shook her head. His optimism was probably a facade, and she doubted anypony else would fall for it either. She, for one, was sweating profusely under the summer sun. Being from a so much further north, the heat was not something to which she was accustomed.
“Brownie, you always say that!”
"The farm is really coming along," Sweetie Belle noted.
“It sure is. It's long hours, but well worth it. I just wish my sister had time to see it."
"Too busy still, with her mayoral duties?" Cloud Blazer asked, his breathing sounded a bit easier now.
"Shucks, we're not sure how Diamond Tiara didn't seem busy while she was mayor," Apple Bloom replied. "Big Mac and I offered to help in any way we can, but she told us to just get the orchard ready for planting. I hope she's okay."
"Most ponies seem happy with her as mayor," Sweetie Belle pointed out.
“Yeah, but it sure is a lot of work on her. At least the new farm-hooves are helping out round here.”
“You’re all getting along now?”
“Heh, for now.”
The three continued talking about the farm and then local politics, and Pixyglitter soon felt as if she were invisible. It didn’t take long for her to become bored, and after nearly a half-hour of the reminiscing, she finally tuned them out and tried listening to the birds that were singing all around. She recognized some of their songs, but others were foreign to her.
...
Sparklefly unconsciously rubbed at her eyepatch as she re-read the last letter she'd received from her mother.
'Dear Sparklefly, I am happy to be writing this letter to you from Sweet Apple Acres. Ponyville is as charming as I had remembered. We had stopped through on our way when we moved to Apple Loosa, if you recall. Glitterdust immediately made enemies with Apple Bloom, but they were able to put aside their differences after a few days. Thunderfly is also now working the orchard, which is something they'd never have allowed in Baltimare. Shimmerpuff stays by my side, curious but fearful of this new place. Duster seemed happy to see us, but he has changed somehow. Maybe it’s just that he looks so grown up in his uniform.'
Sparklefly thought about Duster. Everything had happened so fast the day of the coup, she hadn't had time to talk to him about it. She would have died if he hadn't saved her, a sobering fact that was not lost on her.
She continued reading, 'You were right about this farm. It is a wonderful place, and with all of us working together with the Apples, I'm sure we'll have it back in shape soon. I look forward to the day when you and Duster finish your other duties and return to us. Missing you always, Mamma Mare.'
Sparklefly smiled as she thought of her family. She was a little surprised to realize that night had fallen. She had been reading by the light of a waning crescent moon. By the look of the stars, the cloud was turning to head back to Cloudsdale. She'd never have guessed that their first mission would have been the most interesting. So far the rest had been dead ends with nothing of value accomplished.
Sparklefly stood and stretched. She must have been laying there for a couple of hours re-reading her letters and writing replies. Tucking them all safely into her pocket, she made her way to the front of the cloud. The night below was warm, but the wind was cooling. Summer was always a welcome change. Somehow, the air smelled fresh in a way that spring didn't.
"Hey, Sparklefly," Scootaloo's voice came from behind her.
Her good mood evaporating, Sparklefly spoke without turning, "Hey yourself."
Scootaloo padded gently up alongside her and sat. It was quiet for several minutes. Sparklefly saw a small light on the ground. It might have been a campfire, but then it was gone again. More likely it had been a door or a window in a house that had been opened for a moment.
"Look, I'm not good at this stuff," Scootaloo said, "but I'm sorry about what I said before." Sparklefly looked up. Scootaloo was looking into the distance and fidgeting slightly as she continued, "I was being a jerk, and it was uncalled for."
Anger melted away.
“Pacer really had me worked up, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I know you aren’t comfortable with the extra attention you’ve been getting. I just...
“Forget about it,” Sparklefly felt herself smile. “Besides, it's a small matter. You’d think I’d have a thicker hide by now to stand up to a little teasing. I guess I was just caught off guard. I expect it from Masher or Pacer, but we’ve been through so much together that I kind of let my guard down.“
The apologetic pegasus took a breath, “Well, you don’t have to be on guard around me.”
“I’m glad, and that goes both ways.”
Scootaloo nodded with a sense of finality, stood, and turned to leave.
"You don't have to go. I never got to tell you what happened."
Returning to sit by her friend, Scootaloo asked, "From your letters?"
Sparklefly nodded, "My family has moved to Ponyville."
“How are they liking it?" Scootaloo asked with a smile.
"Very much from what my mother wrote. Glitterdust and Thunderfly are already working on the farm."
"I can't wait to meet them.”
Sparklefly wished they could go back to Ponyville immediately, but it didn't seem likely. Unfortunately, she couldn't travel as freely as her letters. She had little choice but to quiet the longing for family that pulled inside and console herself with the thought that there would be time enough to see them all later.