Twilight looks at you with a very unreadable expression on her face. It is a mixture of different emotions; it’s kinda scary to be honest. It was as if she’s going to jump forward and choke you out, or she’s going breakdown and cry.
The air in the train car is thick. What is it thick with? You couldn’t put your hoof on it. Was it tension, nerves, awkwardness, fear or hate? Whatever it is, it’s a suffocating mist. You can’t think right now; all your thoughts are on Twilight and what she’s going to do, what she’s going to say. The tension is only getting thicker.
Finally the silence is broken; broken by a single droplet of water. But this isn’t a water drop, it’s a tear. You follow its path with your eyes up to Twilight’s cheek, clearly wet from the tear.
“Twilight?” You mutter.
“Is... Is all that true? What you said,” Twilight peeps, her voice cracking as she speaks. You simply nod, not saying a thing. “So you really think that of me?”
“Yes, I think the world of you. Nothing will change my mind.” You say confidently.
Twilight shifts in her place, her position more open, more inviting. The thick air starting to disperse. You shift as well, showing you’re open to talk to Twilight. Twilight timidly moves to your side of the train car, sitting closer to you. You nervously look over at her. You shift yourself so you’re closer to her, but not too close, not wanting to mess things up again.
“So, I’m sorry. I really am.” You utter, trying to keep composure.
Twilight plants a hard punch on your chest, you cough from the force. “That’s for cheating.”
You bring your hooves to your chest and hold where she hit you. “Yeah, I deserve that.” You look over at Twilight and see a slight smile form on her face. You too bare a faint smile.
“But if your family is a lie, I’ll do more than just hit you.” Twilight says, her face turning serious.
“They’re real, I swear.” You say, a pleading tone besetting your voice.
Twilight shoots a sceptical look, but her face quickly returned to normal. You too ease up. The thought of the two of you getting back together filled you mind. The sensation of her lips on yours, your mind goes blank at the thought.
There’s an awkward silence as you relish in your thoughts. Twilight seems to be lost in her thoughts at the same time. She too doesn’t say anything. She lets out a little chuckle and you look up at her. She has a very subtle smile on her face, it fills your heart with joy, actually seeing her happy. You feel the corners of your mouth starting to curl up. You give a little nervous chuckle and return to looking out the window.
The countryside between cities zipped by, the journey becoming a lot shorter due to your mind easing. As you stare out at the lakes and fields that passed, your mind was brought back to when you were a little colt, wandering from town to town, city to city, looking for a new home. Back then everything seemed so interesting, so fascinating, so...welcoming. On the train to Ponyville, all those years ago, you looked out over the vast fields and orchards, wanting to one day walk them, take them in. The smells, the sensations, the feel of the grass on your hooves. It was all so inviting.
This train ride with Twilight, it made you think; think back to the times when you were just leaving Canterlot. It was almost the same, but back then you were alone, and much younger. But it gave you the same time to reflect back, on you mother, you brother, and what you knew of your father.
Your eyes start to fill up with tears. Twilight looks over at you, a hint of concern in her eyes.
“Are you alright?” Twilight asks, and tone of legitimacy in her voice. You look up at her with misty eyes and you feel a lump form in your throat.
“Y-yeah, I’m f-fine. Just this ride...it reminds me of my first train ride down to Ponyville,” You pause and take in a breath. “It’s bringing back thoughts of home.”
Twilight moves closer, wrapping her arms around and pulling you into a tight hug. You lean into Twilight, letting out another stream of tears. She coos as she runs a hoof down your mane. You feel a shiver run down your spine at this action, it reminds you of what your mother did when you were sad.
“You’ll be okay.” Twilight says softly. You feel her shift and plant a kiss on the top of your head, you smile at this.
The rest of the train ride is spent like this, Twilight holding you in a tight hug, comforting you. But you aren’t complaining, it is nice to know she trusts you again. The last half hour flies by, before you know it you’re at the Fillydelphia train station. Twilight releases you from the hug and gives you a very warm smile. You give her a weak smile back and wipe your eyes.
Twilight stands and trots for the door of your booth, you in tow. She has a newfound spring to her step, but at the same time, you do too. A wave of reassurance washes over you. seeing Twilight happy again made you happy. You lift your head slightly, a genuine smile on your face.
The crowd of ponies trying to get off the train is insane; mixed with the crowd trying to get on, it was pure chaos. You manage to find a clearing and push into it, losing track of Twilight in the process. You try to get off the train, but once you clear the door you’re hit another wall of ponies. You feel your blood pressure rise as you’re pushed and shoved ponies out of the way. Finally you snap and just go full force through the crowd. Pushing and shoving ponies out of your way now.
You make it off the train and through the crowd, waiting inside the Fillydelphia train station. You pace back and forth, trying to calm down. You stop and look back at the crowd, trying to spot Twilight, but you don’t see her. Suddenly you feel somepony pat you on the shoulder, you whip your head around to see who it is, and you’re met by Twilight giving you a smile.
“Oh, you did make it out. Good.” You say with a sigh.
“Yeah, I gave up on waiting so I just teleported here.” Twilight says, still smiling.
“Hehe, yeah, I had to push my way through,” You smile back. “So, how about we get going?”
“Yeah, sure thing.” Twilight nods.
You start to trot towards the entrance of the train station, Twilight trotting beside you. She moves closer to you, so close you can feel her body heat. You smile more and look around.
“Wow, I haven’t been here in years, it’s changed so much.” You say while looking around.
“I can imagine. It’s different from when I was here too.” Twilight says.
The two of you make your way outside, the cold air sending a shiver down your spine. You notice Twilight shiver too. You close the gap between you two, pressing your side against hers. You blush and look away. You feel Twilight move away, but she quickly presses against you again. The sensation of your fur mixing with hers is amazing, it made your heart skip a beat. It felt like she was filling in a hole, repairing a crack, or building a bridge between you.
The skies are a pale white, the cloud cover is glowing with the sun. There is a light wind blowing the fresh snow. The ponies of Fillydelphia all wore bright colored scarves, and some wore matching toques. The cobblestone streets were nicely cleared of snow, only a light dusting covers the ground.
You watched all the ponies who trotted by, trying to recognize any of them, but none looked familiar. A more sad tone beset your mind. What if they moved? What if they don’t recognize me? What if they hate me? These question bashed your mind like the waves against a rocky shore. You try not to show any sadness, but it’s too hard to keep it in. Your eyes start to water again.
“Are you alright?” Twilight asks, breaking your inner thoughts. You look over at her.
“Just thinking.” You respond.
“Obviously, but it seems like it’s eating you up. What is it?” Twilight asks, letting her concern show. You let out a sigh and lower your head.
“What if they don’t recognize me?” You say, your voice cracking slightly.
“They will, I’m sure of it. You don’t just forget what your child looks like.” Twilight says reassuringly.
“But...but It’s b--”
“No buts. They will recognize you.” Twilight says.
You smile and look at Twilight. She smiles back and moves closer, her cheeks turning a flushed red. You feel your own cheeks heat up as she draws closer. You close your eyes and lean towards her, your lips meeting hers. You feel Twilight continue to push into you and you push back before breaking the kiss. You slowly open your eyes and look at her, a smile forming across her lips and yours.
“I love you.” Twilight says.
“I love you too.” You say in return.
The two of you start walking again. Twilight is leaning on you more than she was before, she purrs slightly, like a happy cat would. You let out a small chuckle and look up at the sky. Small flakes of snow are falling, being tossed around with the wind. Twilight looks up, following your gaze. You both watch the same flake as it falls. It swirls around in the air, swaying back and forth, flipping and tumbling. The two of you watch it glide down in majestic silence. Suddenly there’s a gust of wind and the flake flies towards you, landing on the tip of your nose, quickly melting into water. Twilight lets out a giggle and kisses you on the cheek. You feel your cheeks warm up again.
You look back to the road ahead. There is a row of old brick houses at the end of it. They all look well maintained, no cracks, no chipped mortar, no discoloring of the bricks; it all looks so perfect. You sigh and continue to the middle house.
“We’re here.” You say, a hint of fear in your voice.
“I see. Well, go knock.” Twilight pushes.
You nod slowly and approach the door, raising a shaky hoof. You pause before knocking and look back at Twilight, she smiles and nods. You look back at the door and knock three times.
*knock*
*knock*
*knock*
You wait for a few seconds before taking a step back.
“No.” Twilight says firmly.
You stop moving and look at the door and it opens revealing a very heavy looking stallion, he looks at you and blinks. You just stare back, not saying a word.
“Can I help you?” The stallion says in a very raspy voice.
“Uh, y-yeah. D-do you know wh-where Archer is?” You ask, in a scared and timid voice.
“Who?” The stallion grunts.
“A-Archer, h-he lives here.” You reply.
“Ain’t nopony named Archer livin’ here, just me.” The Stallion says.
“I s-see. S-sorry for bothering y-you, I’ll be going now. H-have a nice day.” You say before turning back to Twilight, who has a very unamused look on her face.
You trot down to Twilight, your eyes becoming misty again.
“I...I swear this is where we lived.” You say pleadingly.
“Mhmm, well your family seems to be gone.” Twilight says.
“Yeah...” You trail off, lowering your head in sadness.
Twilight looks down at you, sympathy filling her eyes. She trots closer to you and nuzzles the crook of your neck. You raise your head to look at her, and she plants a light kiss on your lips.
“I forgive you, you don’t need to prove to me your family is here.” Twilight says, her voice soft and caring.
“But I wanted you to meet them, as evidence I wasn’t lying.” You say, a very heavy and sad voice coming from you.
“I don’t care if they’re real or not. From what you told me, shown me, and all these lengths you’ve gone, you’ve proven to me that you do in fact care for me. So please, just come home with me.” Twilight pleads.
“Yeah,” You sniff and wipe your eyes. “Okay, I’ll come home.”
Twilight smiles and hugs you, you wrap your hooves around her, returning the hug. When she lets go she plants a very tender kiss on your lips. You smile and start to trot with her towards the train station.
“Can we stop by the market, please?” You ask.
“Of course.” Twilight replies.
You turn down one of the side streets and lead Twilight to a small open square. Inside were stalls set up, all different. There is a booth run by a zebra, selling exotic jewelry, there’s a stall selling clothing, jewelry, food, trinkets and the like. There is a booth for everything here, and it was crowded nonetheless.
“Twilight, stay by my side and don’t leave.” You say.
“I will.” Twilight says as she shuffles over beside you, your sides touching again.
You begin to trot from stall to stall, examining the goods for sale. Most of it is novelties and knock offs, but it is all still beautiful. You glance at Twilight a few times, to make sure she’s still with you.
“See anything you like?” You ask Twilight.
“Yeah, but we’re just looking...right?” Twilights asks.
“If you want it you should buy it.” You say.
“Oh, okay. I’ll get them on the way back.” Twilight says.
“Sounds li--” You’re cut off by a pony bumping into you.
“I’m so sorry, are you alright?” The pony asks, your ears perk up when he speaks.
“I know...that voice.” You say to Twilight. You turn your head to look at the pony who was talking. Your eyes go wide when you see who it is.
“Are you alri--” The pony stops and his eyes also go wide.
“Archer?”