Suicide, it was something that was very rare for your family. Everyone was always so optimistic that it felt like only you and your father were the only members that had any sad days and even then you were still a little foal with plenty to be happy about. Your days were fun and fancy, and you had many friends back then and even now.
Your father had none of this. When your mother died after years of being sick he seemed to retreat somewhere that you couldn’t reach. That was the only part that made you sad, and you didn’t like that feeling so you always stayed out more with your friends. Your father was an adult after all, he could handle himself and you didn’t have a clue how to help him.
Perhaps what should have given it away was the day you got your cutie mark, it was literally the only day you can even still recall where he was smiling and that the two of you hung out together. He even decided that despite your age you were an adult now and you shared in your very first hard cider. It was a bit bitter, but your dad was so proud you didn’t want to act like a baby again. The next morning he even got a kick out of your first hangover too, though you honestly couldn’t see why. That was one of the worst mornings you’ve ever had in your life.
You were an adult now in his eyes, but still you acted like a colt because you were age wise and didn’t like all these adult things. Your dad went back to how he was, but at least a little less than before and for some time even though he didn’t smile you thought he was content with his life.
Then everything changed when you got hospitalized after the sonic rainboom.
Again, you should have seen it coming. At least if you had thought about it you could have stopped it. But you didn’t, you were selfish and wanted to act like a little colt by having your father pick you up and tell you it was okay. But he didn’t come, and he never would. That was the last time you figure you would ever properly see the color red again.
It was that memory that woke you this morning. Sweat covering your coat and your bed sheets. It stuck you your body enough to feel the slight pain in your skin from getting off the think bedding. Your pill cascading down your throat on instinct to help you calm down.
Looking over at the clock and noticing the hour you decided it was best to just get up and shower now. Today was the big day to cover that town in rain so very little sunlight was still showing at this point. You were still up over an hour earlier than you wished, but that had been happening lately ever since you moved in.
As you got ready you took a good look at yourself. You looked like a mess. Then again you had not slept well in the last few days. “Today’s the day,” you say to your reflection. “You are going to apologize to Cheerilee and you are going to like it.”
You had put it off for far too long. Deciding to poor all your energy into your new job, but even then aside from Stormchaser no pony really talked to you because of how busy they were. You had your suspicions about Rainbow avoiding you because she didn’t need to interact with you and Storm being so clingy to you, but that would be fixed with time and the first thing you needed was sleep.
Lack of sleep despite your medicine was really annoying. Insomnia was not something that happened before when taking this stuff, so it must have been you. The fact Cheerilee seemed to be avoiding you since then was not helping either.
The shower, you figured, was going to be the only good part about your day it would seem. After two days of badgering, you had finally set Stormchaser straight about your medicine and your standings. She was a rather attractive mare, but you wanted to be settled in before you even considered dating anypony.
Granted your own mixed feelings when it came to Rainbow and your memories of Cheerilee were kind of mucking with that a bit. But since Rainbow was avoiding you and you had already agreed with Cheerilee that there was nothing between you two on her end it just meant as long as you focused on getting back your friendship things would come as they would.
Your medicine started to take effect as soon as you stepped out of the shower. Maybe the water helped pump your blood faster but now you were starting to really need to focus to get around.
That really was a bone-headed move. You had no reason to take the pill then, you had not felt any pain, and in fact you’d be in full swing with it during work at this rate. You had done it without even thinking because it was still a daily ritual for you.
Your other jobs didn’t really require as much focus as this one would so you were used to being out of it most of the day and taking two pills when it really started to spike. Ever since breaking up with Lightning however, you had take less of the stuff than usual. Was it what she had yelled out to you as her new “friend” beat you to a pulp? Or was it because you were happier here in Ponyville so you didn’t need them as much?
Whatever the reason wasn’t really relevant though so it was probably best that you went on your way before anything worse happened and your meds made it hard to fly. You already knew your duty so if you could get it down quickly before the rest of the team showed up, maybe you wouldn’t get in trouble for being out of it on the job.
“Leaving already?” chimed Noteworthy’s new girlfriend, Roseluck, rubbing her eyes. She trotted into the kitchen with a little yawn as you nodded. You really were surprised how well the two were getting along. Two days straight without her even going home, though you had the feeling they spent most of it high on your medicine. You had no real proof of this since you didn’t keep track of all your bottles, but as long as they were safe with it would be fine.
“I think it would be best if he stayed at your place today,” you suggested. “There isn’t much food left in the house to feed all three of us and it’s gonna be pretty unbearable tonight otherwise.”
“Thank for the hint,” said Roseluck giving you a sleepy smile and drinking straight from the carton of orange juice you had gotten last night. “You got a special somepony to bunk with tonight?”
“Nah,” you answer trying to act like nothing was wrong. “I do have a friend I can stay with I guess if things get ruff though.” Granted that friend was somepony currently not talking to you but she didn't have to know that.
“And if she doesn’t kill me first,” you thought. Half the reason you wanted them out was as you stated, the other was so you could make sure Noteworthy didn’t have a bottle or two on him. While they were safe for now, one adventurous night like tonight with no chance of work for the next two days would be horrid. No it was too risky not to at least trust one of them and you didn’t have time.
“One other thing,” you say opening the door. You voiced your concerned the best you could. Luckily Rose wasn’t high at the moment since it was easy to tell so she got the message loud and clear: do not take any more until after the storm. From there it was just a case of their own choices as to whether to listen to you or not. At least then you wouldn’t walk into a scene like you did back then and consider it your fault for a good chunk of your life. Besides, these two were not your dad and they were fairly smart. There was no need to worry.
Closing the door behind you, you took a look up at the clouds. Only a few stray patches were left unfinished on purpose. Why was never really explained but an early start would mean an early finish to this stormy day too. With that you took to the skies, hoping your meds had not hindered your flying.
Luckily it had not, but working by yourself on this so early was actually making is a bit hard. You needed to get things done fast, but doing so was problematic. Your eye patch was soaked from not doing everything carefully, and your forehooves stung from the slight lightning bolts that had hit them as you did your work. Still at this rate you’d be good to go soon and kick start it without anypony needing to help. That would get you some points and maybe start a conversation with Rainbow again.
“Now hold on there,” called a voice from below you as you tried to figure out what cloud to start on next. Looking down you could see an orange earth mare with freckles looking up at you, so you did the polite thing and dropped down to introduce yourself.
“Applejack,” the mare replied to your introduction. “Pleasure to meet ya’ll in pony. Didn’t really get to see ya at Pinkie’s party.”
“Yeah,” you said rubbing the back of your head, “I sort of forget half of that party anyway so at least you didn’t go and have me forget about it.”
“Fair enough,” Applejack agreed. “But I actually didn’t call ya’ll down here for introductions. I was just asking why yer workin’ by yourself is all. Plus I thought the rain wasn’t supposed to start until late morning.”
So that’s where your medicine decided to screw you up. You’d forgotten there was a reason you were only supposed to meet up in an hour with everypony and not work. Looking back you could see some of the clouds you had put out were giving random light drizzles from the damage of being moved so fast. Mentally you berated yourself for not remember such things.
“Oh don’t be upset about it,” Applejack said. “Ya’ll are new to the job. I’m sure Rainbow Dash will understand if ya made a tiny mistake. But from the looks of you, I’d say you already did your end of the work. Maybe you should rest, or you can help with taking down so of these loose branches. I’m sorta short on ponies for the job as is without the slight bump you just did.”
It sounded fair. Just as you agreed, another voiced called out to the two of you. This one was a white unicorn in some rather heavy but not unappealing makeup. “Sorry I’m late, I was so caught up in making sure my place was all set for our…” She glanced at you and seemed to pick up a bit of a panicked tone. “…completely friendly get together. Yes that’s it, a friendly little night between too friends.”
Applejack huffed annoyed, “Rarity, we’ve been going out for three months now. Would ya please stop tryin’ ta hide it? I’m starting to think yer ashamed a me or somethin’.”
At this Rarity suddenly doubled back, “oh no no no no Applejack, perish the thought. I’m just a bit uncomfortable because not everypony is okay with such lifestyles and it may make them uncomfortable like it did with Granny Smith.”
You chimed in as Applejack gave a wince from an obvious memory, “I’m actually used to that sorta stuff miss Rarity. I used to live here but I’ve mostly lived in cities till I came back so I’ve seen all kinds of relationships. Only thing slightly odd about you two from what I can tell is how different you talk. Usually couples start to use one another’s words by accident or something.”
“Well that’ s just silly,” laughed Applejack as Rarity seemed to get a hint of worry that your comment may come true.
“Guess they still haven’t slept together,” you mused. “This Rarity is still all worried about everything because she hasn’t had the ‘big night’ yet. That would explain her sudden change of tone though.”
“Well let’s not waste any time then,” cried Applejack finally done with enjoying her girlfriend’s worried face. “We still have lots of tree branches to pull down and besides you two ah only got Cheerilee helpin today. Let’s get moving.”