After Sapphire’s outburst at Rainbow Dash, she and Pinkie Pie refused to talk to him. Twilight wasn’t pleased as well.
”Why are you antagonizing us? We’re trying to help you!”
Sapphire had just left Twilight’s house after another heavy atmosphere breakfast made worse by the fact that Twilight could now rejoin them at the table with her sprains healed. While he tried to be excited and happy for her when her casts came off, she was still confrontational towards him so he gave up on trying to be amicable. He was on his way to Carousel Boutique for another day of working with Rarity.
”While I agree that Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie shouldn’t doubt you like that, darling; the way you spoke to Rainbow was completely out of line. You mustn’t be so rude if you wish to make friends. I must also agree that visiting Lyra was a bad idea. She can be a bad influence. Not because she’s a bad pony, but the others believe her to be enforcing wrong ideas in your head. She’s a bad influence on your friendships.
He sighed to himself on continued on his way when he felt himself being pushed in another direction.
“Who?” he cried in shock. He turned to see Lyra pushing him with her forelegs.
“Lyra? What are you doing?” he asked.
“The expedition is in three days! Now is the time to buckle down and get this done!” Lyra said.
“But I’m supposed to go into work today. Plus, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and I were going to get together for lunch,” Sapphire tried to argue.
“Oh it’s just a lunch date. What’s more important? Returning to your true form and powers or gossiping about who’s dating who?” Lyra said.
“Well, we don’t know if the ruins will be able to return me to my true form. Plus, I had to cancel my lunch plans with Fluttershy yesterday to help you. I lied to her saying I didn’t feel well. I don’t want to blow her off again,” Sapphire tried to reason. Lyra stopped pushing him and moved in front him.
“Sapphire. This expedition is so important! If we can prove that humans once lived in this world, everyone will stop doubting us,” Lyra said.
“I know, but... I have other things going on in my life. And... they took me in when I had no place to go. I can’t just blow them off.”
“Hmph! They’re holding you back! You need all your concentration if this expedition is going to be successful.”
“How about I meet you after work? We can do as much planning as we need then.”
“Unacceptable! We need all day if we’re going to get this done!”
Lyra had put her hoof down. Sapphire sighed. He went along with her to plan for the expedition. At Lyra’s house, they went over the plans for transportation and the amount of supplies they would need. Around lunchtime, Sapphire was no longer paying attention. Lyra was going over the plans if there was an emergency. Sapphire was staring out the window when her noticed something.
Rarity was a buildings walking towards the restaurant they were supposed to meet for lunch. She looked furious. Sapphire brought his eyes to the floor as he felt a sickening guilt rise up.
Why did I abandon them?
After their own lunch break, the two of them were back at it. Sapphire became acquainted the profiles of all the other ponies on the expedition. He learned their names, faces, skill sets, and degrees. It wasn’t until this was finished and the sun was setting that Lyra finally let him leave.
On his way to Twilight’s library he heard crying. He began to go towards it when he heard voices.
“D-d-d-does he not l-l-like me?” he heard Fluttershy cry.
“Ah’m sure that’s not it, sugarcube. He’s just... busy gittin’ used to bein’ here is all,” Applejack replied.
Sapphire hid himself in some bushes and slowly approached them while remaining. Fluttershy was crying under a table while Applejack and Rarity tried to comfort her.
“Oh, yes, I’m sure that’s it, darling. Don’t you remember? He had such a wonderful time with you only a little over a week ago,” Rarity said.
“Are... are you sure?” Fluttershy asked sniffing.
“Sure, Ah’m sure! Sapphire-” Applejack received a dirty look from Rarity.
She’s still angry at me. Not that I’m surprised, but I didn’t think my name would invoke that response.
“Ah mean, Ah’m sure something really important came up and that’s why he couldn’t make lunch.”
Sapphire saw Rarity mumble something under her breath. He couldn’t tell what she said, but Applejack hit her and put on a fake smile. She growled at her, but when Fluttershy turned to look at her, she put on the biggest smile she could fake.
“Then why won’t he have lunch with us!” Fluttershy sobbed. Rarity and Applejack sighed.
Sapphire couldn’t take anymore. He moved away from them and headed towards the library.
I made Fluttershy cry and Rarity is almost as mad as Rainbow Dash was. What am I doing?
When he arrived, Twilight was upstairs. Spike was there though. He had a stern look on his face. They stared at each other for a while until Spike shook his head and walked away. Sapphire watched him leave the room. He walked into his room and collapsed onto his bed and sighed.