Celestia made sure to keep the phone with her the entire afternoon. Rawsthorne had promised to call and she wasn't about to miss it. She was washing the dishes and humming a gentle tune to herself when it rang, nearly making her drop the plate. A moment later she lifted up the block of plastic and jabbed the green button. Of course she had dutifully read the instructions beforehoof.
"Hello!" It was Rawsthorne' voice, if a little tinny.
"Hi! How are you?" She didn't really know what to say, but Celestia was excited. Her very first phone call and it was from her favourite human!
"Not bad," he answered. "I'm here with Miriam, you said you have something for her?"
The woman also spoke up to show her presence: "Hello, Celestia!"
The alicorn smiled, even though they couldn't see her, and took the phone upstairs. Her friend, Silent Brook, was watching the TV, although he turned his head to look at her walk past with undisguised curiosity. That was good. The stallion was still a little angry about her joke earlier. Perhaps she should not have said that April was his fillyfriend. The girl was a little young and - as Celestia herself had seen - harbored no such feelings for the stallion. Maybe Silent Brook had considered that something between himself and the human could happen, but she had not seen him so much as hint at it. Perhaps he was waiting for April to be older? Maybe that was why he was so touchy about the little joke? Anyway, it could wait. The pony would forgive her for having a bit of fun at his expense.
Eventually.
His pout was kinda cute, though.
"Hello Miriam Adams!" She greeted the woman as she walked up the stairs.
"What's up? Anything I can help you with?" the D.A. asked.
"Actually, yes. It is this person - Silent Brook's owner. I was wondering if you could give me some advice."
"Ask." The lady was getting a bit impatient, but Celestia hadn't wanted to mention any details until she was in Silent Brook's room with the door closed. She even lowered her voice a little so the stallion wouldn't overhear.
"Yes. He was in a place called 'Afghanistan' for some war. I don't have Internet so I couldn't get more details - do you know it?"
They made no sound, but somehow the quality of noise changed. Celestia could practically imagine the lawyers looking at one another in confusion. "Yes, we know it," Rawsthorne said after a while.
"He had some bad experiences, I think. He doesn't talk about it, but he has nightmares and is drinking rather a lot. It even caused problems with his marriage and now he never sees his wife and daughter."
"Yeah, unfortunately stuff like that happens more often than we would like," Miriam explained. "Probably some form of PTSD. Is he getting help for it? A psychiatrist?"
Celestia didn't think so. The man went to work, but did not otherwise leave the house. "No, it doesn't seem like it. He had bad nightmares and..."
She bit her lip and debated internally whether to tell them, but she trusted Rawsthorne completely and Miriam Adams was a friend. "Promise you will not speak of this."
The woman on the other end of the phone line chuckled. "Celestia, this basically falls under attorney-client privilege. Even if it didn't, you know I won't tell anyone."
It was good to hear it. "Thank you. He has a gun... and Silent Brook is worried he might-" The mare gulped and her ears went flat even from just thinking about it. She finished a little lamely: "Do something stupid."
There was silence from the phone.
"Miriam?"
The woman sighed. "Yeah, still here. So, what did you think I could do here? How did you think I could help?"
Now that she was faced with the actual question, Celestia wasn't sure anymore. "I... d-don't know. I thought you could give me some advice on how to proceed. Should we get him help, or leave him to work it out on his own?"
"No, no, that's almost never a good idea. How long since he came back from Afghanistan?"
Celestia made a guess. "I don't know for sure. Three or four years?"
"Yeah, and things have just been getting worse, I assume?" the lawyer lady asked.
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Leaving it alone could end badly, or maybe he'll bottom out somewhere. These people refuse help as a rule and think they should be able to handle it themselves," Miriam explained. "Unfortunately, they mostly can't. What we should do is get in touch with the man's GP and let them handle it."
If that was a law abbreviation, Celestia hadn't come across it yet. "GP?"
"Oh, sorry," the lady apologized. "I forget you're not from Earth. It stands for 'General Practitioner'. It's a doctor you usually go to with problems and he or she tries to help, or sends you to a specialist if it's a more complicated problem."
Including more people in the scheme sounded like something Saul would oppose. Perhaps she should try and speak with him, first. Maybe he trusted her a bit more, now that she had been living there for a while and had cooked him many tasty meals. Most of them with meat, even!
"Okay. What would happen in this case, do you think?"
Again a short pause, while the D.A. thought about it. When she spoke, her words were slow, as if she was unsure. "My guess would be," the woman said carefully, "he would get an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in PTSD. After that, I really don't know. I'm not a doctor."
Rawsthorne had been silent throughout the discussion. Celestia wanted his opinion as well. "Gregory? What do you think about all this?"
He needed a bit of time to consider his answer, but then he spoke: "I think I agree with Miriam. There are people who know how to handle this sort of thing, you really should speak with them."
It was sweet how he seemed to ignore her race, but Celestia pointed out: "Yes. A pony coming alone into a hospital to ask about a psychiatrist for another human. I'm sure nothing could go wrong there."
"Well, since you put it that way-" he began, but she giggled and cut him off.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'll try and talk with Saul first. Maybe I can use diplomacy to get him to agree and seek some help, and if I can't, I'll let you know and we'll think about other options."
"Why are you so worried about this 'Saul'?" Miriam asked.
"Mainly because he saved Silent Brook's life, and I hate to see people suffer, human or pony. Their family is torn apart. I wish to do what I can. He took me in without knowing anything about me, or my trouble."
"Okay. I'll have to be going now," the D.A. said, "so is there anything else?"
Celestia wanted to know more about the case, but if the woman was in a hurry, it could wait. "Can we meet somewhere, when the case is over? I'd like to hear about it."
"Sure thing. I'll arrange something with Rawsthorne. Just lay low for now. You did a good job of vanishing, so the feds have lost track. With luck they'll assume you escaped and ease up on the investigation." The woman snapped her fingers. "Oh, that's right. Rawsthorne tells me you can't get home through the auction which brought you here. You need new papers to cross the border."
"Yes. And I will have two others with me. Can you help, Miriam? I swear I will find a way to repay your kindness!"
Now the lady laughed gently. "No need for that, dear. Two more, huh? Okay, I'll give it some thought. I'll let you know through Rawsthorne. Bye!"
Celestia smiled. A very sweet human. "Bye, Miriam Adams! Thank you!"
She heard the man stand up and hold the door for the D.A. - a gesture Celestia wholeheartedly approved. Then he came back.
"So, now what?" he asked.
Celestia kept her smile in place. "Now you tell me about your day, Greg. And the office. What did I miss while I was here?" While she had been discussing Saul and her escape with Miriam Adams, her nerves made Celestia walk up and down the room, almost without being aware of it, but now she went and lay down on the bed. The phone was still held in her magic up beside her ear.
As she listened to Rawsthorne telling her all about how nothing significant has happened in the office in the past two weeks, the mare rolled to her back, stretched out all four hooves up in the air, spread her wings, and relaxed.
He didn't seem to understand. "Greg, you don't understand the purpose of this." Even her voice was relaxed now.
"Oh?"
Celestia giggled a little. "I'm not that curious about the office. All I wanted was to listen to you talk for a little bit. It has been over a week. I miss you. That coffee almost doesn't count!"
"Oh."
Except - she was lying a tiny bit. There was one piece of news she really wanted. "What did Denis say when I didn't come to work anymore?"
Silent Brook was still a little miffed when they went to bed after dinner, so Celestia opted to sleep on her foam mat. If he had another nightmare, she would hear it and could probably intervene. It took her quite some time to fall asleep on the hard floor, but she managed to slip into a pleasant dream where she was reunited with Luna and joined her over lunch. She was dying for a hayburger, actually! Earth had none and the Princess had never before wanted one this badly!
Just before she could bite into it, the large doors to the throne room - why were they eating there, exactly? - burst open to admit Silent Brook. "Wake up!" he said in a strange whisper that seemed to fill the room. "Please, Princess, wake up!"
Celestia looked to her sister. It sounded like something she should know about, but Luna just smiled sadly. "It seems it is your time to leave, Sister," she said, "but we shall see each other soon now."
The knowledge that she was asleep flooded into Celestia's mind and the world faded away. "No! Wait! I have questions!" she yelled, but it was gone and she found herself being gently shaken awake by the stallion. "Silent Brook? What is it?"
Before he could answer there was a thump and a yell. It woke her up, instantly and completely. Silent Brook whimpered a little at the noise. "It's Saul!" he explained hurriedly. "A nightmare. Bad one. Please help!"
Celestia wasn't sure what she could do, but at the very least she might prevent the human from injuring himself. Without further thought or analysis she bolted upright and ran out of the room. Silent Brook let out a grateful sigh and followed right on her heels. In moments, the two ponies were in Saul's bedroom. He was tossing and muttering, but Celestia couldn't understand any of the words.
Until a particular bit made her gasp in horror: "No, n-no, don't," Saul moaned loudly and clearly. "There's kids in there!" The pure terror in his voice bled into her bones and Celestia averted her eyes. What kinds of madness had the human seen in that war?!
On the other hoof, she really didn't want to know! Silent Brook didn't seem affected. He had probably heard things like that before. Before she could gather her wits, the pony was on the bed and carefully patting Saul on the chest with a hoof. He looked at Celestia with pleading in his eyes, which were just visible in the faint light of the street lamp, coming through the window. She swallowed and stepped closer. Her eyes were on the man, who flailed his arms and hit the wall. That was probably the thump they heard. It must have hurt, because it made Saul yell again.
"I'm sorry! Silent Brook, I don't know how to get into his dream, not while I'm awake!"
The stallion went right back to waking up Saul, who was getting worse. Celestia felt the situation slipping from control. She had to do something. Take charge. It was her duty.
"Hold him still so he doesn't hurt himself." Her mind raced as Celestia tried to remember. Something tickled her memory. Old magic she hadn't used in ages. Tricks from her childhood as she and Luna were learning their first spells. One came up from the distant past. A prank, but perhaps it would be enough. She concentrated on the form and her horn lit up. Too late Celestia remembered that she wasn't in disguise. The fear and the excitement had been enough to forget that detail, but it was too late now.
With luck, Saul would be too addled from his nightmare to remember. The glow enveloped both the human and the stallion and made them both gasp in shock. She knew exactly how it felt. Luna had used that particular trick on her too many times before their parents had put a stop to it. It was like being plunged into a lake of icy water.
It worked! Saul opened his eyes and tried to flail his arms around, but Silent Brook was somehow wrapped around his arms and legs, easily holding the human in place. Now there was another problem. The human was looking at her. A tall, white mare with a glowing horn, standing over his bed. She was probably quite an intimidating sight in the gloom. Especially upon waking up from his nightmare.
"What the fuck-?" the human yelled and tried to free himself again. "Lemme go, LEMME GO!"
Silent Brook didn't. The human was too dangerous. Both ponies remembered the gun in the drawer. Who knew what Saul would do, panicking in the dark. She had to calm him down, somehow. For a moment she considered leaving and letting the stallion talk to the human, but that went against her nature as a leader.
There was perhaps another way. It worked on ponies, perhaps it would also work on humans? She spread her wings out a little and used a different spell. Again one she hadn't cast in centuries. Thank goodness for her alicorn memory. In a moment the mare was outlined in light. It suffused - yes, that was the perfect word for it - suffused each hair and feather. Even her mane billowed up into its old, familiar shape again. The effect, Celestia knew, was stunning. She seemed to glow from within with a gentle, warm, yellow light, as if there was an invisible sun just behind her. The aura bathed the room in an unearthly light.
Silent Brook stared with his mouth open and so did the human. They stopped struggling just so they could see better. The Princess smiled beatifically and the glow strengthened. It was Sun magic. Even on Earth, even at night, it came easily. She should find a way to use these spells more often. They calmed her soul and all around her.
"Are-" Saul mumbled hoarsely, "are you an angel?"
It was an unfamiliar concept, but Celestia had read about it on the Internet. She had heard the word in a movie and decided to look it up. It seemed fitting, actually. She made her voice as gentle and melodic as she could. "Yes. I'm here to help."
Both males went back to staring in awe. The admiration felt good, but Celestia couldn't forget the reason she was there. Maybe she could help a tiny bit if she chose her words carefully. "Your past haunts you, Saul Geary. It is hurting you and those closest to you."
Yes, it struck a chord. She saw the human glance away, before his eyes came back. He could not stop staring at her wings.
"It is not easy to forget horrors, I know. You must try. There are those who can help, if you but accept their aid."
The man gave a single nod. "I'll-" he tried to say, but couldn't quite get it out the first time. He finished a little lamely: "I'll try."
Even Silent Brook smiled at that. Saul might break his word later, but at least he would start thinking about it.
She was about to find a way to excuse herself and leave, when Saul spoke up again: "Who are you?"
Briefly Celestia considered lying, but something told her she could trust this human. Her indecision must have been obvious, because she saw Silent Brook give her a firm nod. The spell faded and the light went out. Both males let out sighs of regret while Celestia sat on the floor.
"This is me without a disguise, Saul. I'm Supple Branch." She waited for the verdict. Maybe he would be angry at the lies and deceit, or disappointed that she didn't trust him. Well, she had very little reason to do so, based on his behavior, actually! Maybe he would just demand she leave, or he could be worried about having her magic in the house, but Saul did none of those things.
All he did was ask: "Why hide?"
She swallowed. "There are men after me. I am trying to get home - to my world - but until the search for me eases up, I have no way to get there."
"Huh," Saul said. It was all the comment he seemed prepared to give. Until he raised his voice again: "You can let me go any time, horse."
Silent Brook relaxed and flashed Celestia a relieved grin. He unwrapped himself from the man, who rubbed his forearms to restore circulation. Celestia hadn't realized until then just how strongly Silent Brook had gripped Saul to keep him still.
She took charge again. "Go back to sleep. Silent Brook, you stay with Saul and come get me if the nightmare returns. I'll take your bed." The authoritative tone helped and the two males both nodded, but while Silent Brook lay down, Saul shuffled to the edge of the bed.
"Where are you going?" the stallion asked.
The man grunted a little in annoyance. "Get a damn glass of water!"
Celestia walked backward to let him out of the room, then joined Saul in the kitchen. She felt he had some more questions. He turned the light on and looked her up and down.
"How come you're bigger than the normal ones?" he asked.
"I'm a different kind of pony." She was being truthful, but only to a point. The human didn't need to know absolutely everything.
He shrugged, as if it wasn't really important. "That why they're after you? Who is after you, by the way?" He selected one of the clean glasses - a thing he had not even thanked her for, in fact! - and opened the tap. Water splashed into the sink and the human waited with his finger in the stream.
"Yes. I don't like to say who is chasing me. I do not wish to put you in danger."
Now he laughed a little. "I've been in danger. Just tell me this: is it criminals or the government?"
This was a very difficult decision. Saul had served in the military. He might still have loyalty for his commanders and so, by proxy, to the leaders of the country and its policemen. She could refuse to answer, but Celestia felt she knew what his thoughts on that would be. Yes, he should have loyalty, but seeing what the service in the military had done to him, she didn't think Saul had much love for the higher-ups.
"Government."
"Yeah, makes sense. Otherwise you'd go to the police for protection, not me," he went on and stuck his glass under the stream of water. It filled quickly and he turned the tap off. His eyes stayed on her as he drank and Celstia returned the gaze with a blank expression. She waited to see what Saul would do. If it came to the worst, she could probably tie him up with magic, get her things and leave before he could do anything.
At long last, the glass came down and Saul pointed a finger at her. "Might wanna keep this look under wraps. It's kinda obvious."
Celestia relaxed. He wouldn't turn her in. She was sure of it now. "I cannot keep my disguise while I sleep, Saul, but I take it whenever I go out."
"Good, that's good," he said and his eyes slid away. He was a little embarrassed about something and Celestia waited for him to come out with it.
"Look," he began, glanced at her face briefly, then looked down to the floor again. "Thanks for... tonight. I try and not let it get to me, but you know how it is."
Maybe he was in the right sort of mood for her to push a little? To have that talk she told Rawsthorne and Miriam she would? "Saul. Don't take this the wrong way, but you obviously cannot handle whatever happened, not on your own. It's hurting you and Silent Brook and - most importantly - it's hurting your daughter. She needs a father."
His face twisted up and for a moment Celestia tensed. She got her magic ready to wrap him up if he should turn violent, but she stood her ground and glared at the recalcitrant man. She saw his fist bunch up until the knuckles were white.
"Who the fuck are you to come in here and tell me what I should or shouldn't do?!" he demanded.
Celestia pushed it further. She stepped closer and stared right into his eyes. "I'm someone who cares about my friends. Maybe that includes you, but it certainly includes Silent Brook and April!"
Saul said nothing, but he kept his grimace and kept glaring right at her.
She sighed. "I'm not doing this to meddle in your affairs, Saul, and I'm not doing it to be mean, but maybe this is something you need to hear. Please, at least think about it?"
The change of tone helped. Saul relaxed a little, even if he was starting to breathe rapidly through his nose. It wasn't over yet. Celestia had to do a bit more work. She relaxed her face and took a step back. The time for threats was over. Then she gave Saul her Look. It had done wonders for Rawsthorne, surely it would help here.
"Please, Saul. It's not important where this message came from, but please think about what I am telling you. There is no shame in seeking help. People understand, and wouldn't it be worth it? To see April again?" That last was what struck a chord. Maybe Saul didn't like his wife anymore, not after she just up and left, but he obviously cared a great deal about his daughter.
It would probably turn out to be the key, but maybe not yet tonight. "I won't bring it up again, you have my word. Just promise me you will consider it. Seriously consider it. For yourself and for those who love you."
Saul mumbled something, but it was in no way a promise!
Celestia called up her powers of dealing with problematic negotiators again. "I said promise, Saul! That was not a promise!"
Another tense moment followed, but then the man unclenched his hands and heaved a sigh. His eyes went to the ceiling as if in exasperation. "Fine, damn it! I'll think about it, okay? Just leave me alone."
Celestia smiled. One more thing. "Now thank me for cleaning up your house."
"What?!" Saul asked, flabbergasted. He looked around the room as if he hadn't seen it before. His gaze paused for a moment on the stack of clean dishes - where he had taken his glass, in fact - then went on across the empty, clean counter and across the kitchen table with no beer cans or cigarette ash.
"I have done it for free - as a sign of thanks, but it is polite that you thank me in return, is it not? Come on. Act like you are civilized!"
For a fraction of a second Celestia thought his mouth quirked up in a smile at her gentle chiding. Then he raised his arms a little and let them fall. It was a sign of defeat! "Fine, fine. Thanks for cleaning the house," he admitted a little grudgingly.
Celestia smiled to herself. A few more weeks and she would turn the man into a gentlecolt. She hoped she would get home before that, but if she didn't it would be an interesting side project. April really should have her father back, and not a violent, broken drunkard either.
"Good. Now off to bed and I will see you for breakfast tomorrow. I'll go back to my disguise during the day, just in case."
Saul didn't answer, but he did leave for the bedroom. Too late Celestia spotted the stallion in the doorway. He was staring with his mouth wide open. She gave him a smile too, then turned and went back upstairs. Another human knew her secret, but that was alright. She felt she could trust Saul, even if he was a bit rough around the edges. Not a bad night's job. It was true what they said: a mare's work was never over.