//------------------------------// // Part Four: Welcome Home // Story: Galley Alley // by The Red Parade //------------------------------// “Ballad? Y'there?” Ballad blinked, the world coming back into view around her. “Huh?” She winced at the sound of her own voice as it dipped an octave before clearing her throat and trying again. “What’s up, AB?” Apple Bumpkin glanced at her, a roll of cable in their hoof. “You were kinda zonin’ out on me.” “Oh.” Ballad looked down into the coffee cup between her hooves, swirling the liquid gently. “Sorry. I guess I’m not awake yet.” “S’fine,” Apple Bumpkin answered, turning back to their cables. Ballad set her cup aside and looked around the rooftop.  Decorations had been erected as soon as the rain had stopped, with volunteers still scurrying about to rearrange items and nitpick over details. She felt a pang in her heart as she noticed the intricate flower bouquets, wrapped with colorful ribbons. It was familiar. Too familiar. Ballad winced and tried to focus. She sipped her coffee and looked down at her notepad, where she’d scrawled out a series of lines and lyrics. Something something, Galley Alley rooftop… hm. Maybe a city name? Something something, this Fillydelphia sunrise-- She bit down hard on her lip as a memory shot through her mind. Nope. Not Fillydelphia. With a grunt, Ballad scanned the rooftop in search of inspiration. She saw Lilac Meadows arranging some flowers, an unfamiliar green-maned mare standing next to her and grinning as Lilac pattered on about something or the other. Above them, below the remnants of the prior night’s storm clouds, a flock of geese flew past, honking loudly amongst themselves. It reminded her of hazy apartment hallways, with muted voices drifting in between the walls. Back when she wasn’t happy. When she wasn’t herself. When she was someone else. With a sigh, Ballad trotted over to the roof’s edge, glancing down at the homely gardens below. It was still early, with the sun having just risen over the horizon scant minutes ago. She watched as a green pegasus in a safety vest trotted along the paths, inspecting some of the plants and making a note on his clipboard occasionally. The sight put a small smile onto her lips. Looking across the roof to the neighboring building, she could almost pinpoint the exact apartment where she had once lived months ago.  It was strange. Even after all that time, Galley Alley still felt like home. Her smile wavered as the wind blew against her face, and she began chewing her lip nervously. Things had changed since then. She had changed since then. But time had brought them back together. She wanted to do this. She had told Apple Bumpkin that much. But even if she was excited, a part of her was scared. Scared that the home she once loved wouldn’t love her back.  The fear had kept her up last night, to the point where she had barely slept and opted for pacing back and forth in her rented hotel room instead… much to the chagrin of her companion. “Mind givin’ me a hoof here?” Apple Bumpkin called.  Before Ballad could reply, a different voice called out: “I gotcha, AB.” “Thanks, Split.” Ballad shuddered, freezing at the roof’s edge. Slowly, she glanced backwards at the makeshift stage. A blue-coated, red-maned pony had joined Apple Bumpkin by the speakers. A pony that seemingly hadn’t noticed her yet. “You all set to go?” Apple Split asked, stifling a yawn. Apple Bumpkin nodded with a toss of their mane. “Reckon so! All the tech looks good to go. It’s a mite early to do the soundcheck, so y’all can probably take a break soon.” “Celestia knows we need one,” Apple Split answered with a yawn. “I’m just glad everything worked out, especially with the rain.” Apple Bumpkin chuckled.  The two were quiet for a second, causing Ballad to look back over again. “So, uh… you talk with Auntie?” Apple Split asked quietly. Apple Bumpkin was quiet for a second. “Yeah. Said she… don’t exactly get it.” Apple Split hung his head in disappointment. “Oh. I’m… I’m sorry, AB.” “Well, ain’t exactly that bad,” Apple Bumpkin quickly clarified. “Said she don’t quite understand it, because when she grew up they always said you were either a colt or a filly. Ain’t never heard of someone fallin’ in between. But they said they understood, and they’d stop callin’ me ‘Apple Dazzle’ from now on. Said if that was who I was, they weren’t gonna question it.” “Oh!” Apple Split perked up. “Well now, that’s a relief to hear.” The conversation caused Ballad’s heart to quicken a bit. Hearing Split’s words caused something to stir inside of her. Something that felt like… hope. “Say, where’s Refrain?”  And just like that, her hope became fear, and Ballad whipped her head around to stare over the rooftop. She didn’t hear Apple Bumpkin reply, but she heard hooves against the concrete behind her. “Oh, there he is! Hey, Refrain! Super happy you decided to come back!” Ballad squeezed her eyes shut and inhaled deeply.  Here goes nothing. She turned around, smiled, and waited. Apple Split’s eyes widened, and fear struck into Ballad’s heart again. But by the stage, she saw Apple Bumpkin give her an encouraging smile, so she inhaled again and spoke. “H-hey, Split. Been awhile.” “It sure has,” Apple Split answered. “You look… different, Refrain! I like the new look! Has it really been that long?” “Uh.” Ballad scuffed a hoof on the ground, studying the cracked floor beneath her carefully. “I actually, um… I go by Ballad now.” When Apple Split didn’t respond right away, Ballad sucked in a breath and prepared for the worst. She wasn’t expecting the crushing hug that sucked the air from her lungs. “Oh! Wow! That’s great! Congratulations!”  “Uh. Thanks,” Ballad replied, taken aback. “So… you don’t think it’s weird or anything?” “What? Why would I?” asked Apple Split as he pulled away.  Ballad coughed into the back of her hoof. “Some of my, uh, other friends thought it was.” Apple Split made a face. “That’s… that’s insane. I always forget that some ponies actually think like that. Your identity is your choice, who gives a buck if others think it’s weird?” He narrowed his eyes before continuing. “...do I have to go beat someone up? Evergreen can probably hide a body, y’know.” Ballad gasped. “N-No!” That got a laugh from Apple Split. “Alright, alright, if you say so. But seriously, that’s great news! I’m so happy for you. But… why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Ballad blushed. “I was… scared you wouldn’t, uh… approve.” “Awww. I’m always gonna support you,” Apple Split replied, hugging her again. “Hope you know that. All of us here are always gonna have your back. That’s the way we do things in Galley Alley.” “Yeah.” Ballad sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “I really missed it here. The love, the support… you don’t get that anywhere else.” Apple Split nodded. “I’m… guessing the band didn’t work out then?” Ballad made a face. “Turns out they’re not too keen on the whole ‘transgender’ concept,” she muttered. “I dumped them back in Fillydelphia.” “Dang…” Apple Split hugged her again. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Glad you came back, though. We’re always gonna be family to you.” “Yeah. Thanks, Split,” Ballad replied, hugging him back. “That… I think that means more to me than I could ever say.” “We do our best,” Apple Split replied with a yawn. “Hey, I’d love to catch up with you later, but I’m wiped. Might take a nap before the concert.” Ballad nodded, patting him on the back. “You should! You put a ton of work into this thing.” “Yeah, but it’s all going to be worth it,” Apple Split replied sleepily. “You’re going to knock them off their hooves, bro… I mean, sis.” Ballad grinned widely, feeling a satisfied flutter in her heart. “Thanks, bro. I’ll see you around.” The two exchanged another hug, and Apple Split headed for the stairs. Ballad sighed, a feeling of warmth washing over her. “Told you it was gonna go fine,” Apple Bumpkin teased as they trotted over.  “Yeah… glad it did though,” Ballad muttered. “I dunno if I can handle another disaster… especially not here.” Apple Bumpkin slung a hoof around her shoulder. “Hey now. Even if everythin’s goin’ wrong, you gotta tell yourself that it’ll get better soon. That’s the only way we keep ourselves goin’.” “Guess so,” Ballad replied, relishing the lightness in her heart. “Wanna warm up right now?” “Sure,” Bumpkin answered, as the two trotted over to the stage while the sun continued to rise above them.