//------------------------------// // Chapter 26 - A Sort of Homecoming // Story: Married to Her Job, Single in Her Heart // by Revenant Wings //------------------------------// 26. Redheart woke to a bright and sunny morning that didn’t match her mood. It took her a long time to get out of bed despite having woken up early enough the sun had cast a light orange hue on the room. When she did wake up, she lazily trudged over to the shower and lay down in the tub while she felt the water from the shower head splash on her and fill the tub. There was one day left in her stay. One day, she kept telling herself, but even then the place was detestable to her. She thought she could get away from the pain of Ponyville, and yet now she realized it wasn’t possible. Trotsworth, the place where she thought she could find shelter, was merely built on the fantasies and daydreams of the young college mare that she still held of the place. Yet it was here, not Ponyville, where she had caught him in the worst act. The water in the tub nearly overflowed when she realized how high it was. She turned off the water and let some drain before washing herself off, violently scrubbing as though she was trying to wash the memories away. When she was done, she dried herself off and headed downstairs for lunch. A unicorn waiter came around. “What will the madam have for lunch this afternoon?” Redheart did not feel hungry. “Half a club sandwich and the tomato soup.” The waiter nodded and wrote down the order. “And what will you like to drink?” “Water with lemon. Also, your most powerful whiskey served on the rocks with a maraschino cherry.” The waiter’s eyes widened. “Um… as it is not the normal drinking hours in this establishment, there will be an extra fee added on to the drink.” “Don’t care. Just bring it out with the meal.” The waiter nodded and slunk off to get the meal. A few minutes later he returned with the sandwich, soup, water, and the whiskey. Redheart gave him a few extra bits for the drink and ate her food in silence. By the time her lunch was finished, Redheart was not quite drunk but sufficiently liquored up she had almost forgotten the memory. Oh, brilliant, she thought when she was leaving the restaurant. With how many drinks I’ve had recently I’m turning as much into an alcoholic as I am a workaholic. Redheart spent the rest of the daylight hours perusing the shops. She felt antsy and walked almost continuously. She did buy herself a little pink ribbon that was slightly darker than her mane color from an arts and crafts store, but otherwise nothing really seemed to interest her. She returned back to the hotel for dinner and ordered the same thing she had for lunch. She swam in the pool until she was tired then returned to her room to dry herself off and go to sleep. Redheart awoke early in the morning before the sun had even risen over the horizon. Even so, she packed her bags and left the hotel, making sure to pay for her stay as she left. By the time she had hit the train station the sky had become a dull grey and a light fog had settled on the ground with a slight mist that made Redheart’s fur feel damp. When the train arrived, she quickly entered the car with the fewest passengers and sat in a corner where there was no one else with her. The train ride was a blur. Breakfast came and went, the dishes and trays being picked up as they passed Whitewater Ridge. Redheart ordered an extra sweet roll from a passing snack cart and chewed it slowly as the woods flew by. When they emerged from the woods and started rolling down towards Ponyville, Redheart sighed with relief at how she was able to come back home again. The train stopped at Ponyville station early. Redheart took her luggage and made her way home to the apartment, a welcoming silence and simplicity greeting her. There was a blinking light on her phone indicating a message, and Redheart turned it on to listen to it as she put her things away. “Redheart, it’s me, Doctor Stable. I heard you were getting back today and wanted to say that Twilight’s condition still hasn’t changed. Things are pretty slow around here, so I might give you tomorrow off as well, so unless I call you don’t have to come in unless you wanted to visit with Twilight. Anyway, I hope your vacation was restful and I’ll talk to you later.” The phone gave a small beep and clicked off. Another day off. Redheart was, for once, thankful for Doctor Stable not needing her. It meant a day of rest after fitful nights of remembering what happened back then. She showered in her own bathroom and laid down on her own bed, thankful to be home again. She woke up as evening descended on the town without ever remembering falling asleep. Hunger took over her as she made her way out into the early summer evening, the weather still cool and nice but showing signs of heating within the next few days, when the air-conditioned hospital would be her main refuge yet again. For now, she trotted through town to one of the stalls open for the holiday weekend, a small cart bearing a large apple on its signboard. A familiar orange mare was tending the stall. “Well, hey there, Miss Redheart,” Applejack said as Redheart approached. “How are you this evenin’?” Redheart tried to smile. “Tired.” “You certainly look like you need somethin’ to perk you up,” Applejack said. “How’s about a bottle of cider?” “That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Applejack pulled out a bottle of cider and set it on the table. “Anythin’ else for ya?” “Yes. One of your large apple fritters.” “Alright. Comin’ right up.” Applejack brought out a fritter and Redheart paid for the two items. “Hey, before you leave, anythin’ come up on Twilight’s condition? Rainbow’s been feeling awful guilty about what happened and she wants to see what’s goin’ on. We all do.” Redheart put the fritter and her bottle of cider in her saddlebags. “Well, there is improvement. Twilight’s heart rate has risen. It’s expected she’ll wake sometime this week, but we’re looking for some sort of stimulus that might make her eyes open.” “That’s good to hear. Have you been at the hospital lately?” “I was off for a long weekend away. But I received a call from Doctor Stable with the information. I’m hoping we can find something when I go back in.” “Oh. Well it’s good to hear things are movin’ along. Say, we were wonderin’ if you wanted to head with me and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie to a little party goin’ on over at Sugarcube Corner.” “Um… I get Pinkie Pie since she’s a party pony, and I get you and Rainbow Dash have been together, but is there any reason why I am invited?” “Ya can’t sit around mopin’ all the time for someone, sugarcube.” Applejack’s voice was sweet and gentle. “Besides, if Twilight wanted you in our little circle as a friend, I’m not about to deny her request even if she is still conked out. Oh, and Rainbow Dash and I broke up a while ago.” “Did you? But… you’re still hanging out together?” “Why wouldn’t we be?” Applejack said. “Sure, we may not be as close as we used to be, but Rainbow Dash is still a good friend of mine. I’m not about to break connections with her over a little spat we had.” Redheart nodded thoughtfully. “Do you know when it is?” “This weekend in the evenin’. You can meet up with us at town hall and we’ll head for Sugarcube Corner then.” “Thank you. I… I’ll think about it,” Redheart said. She waved to Applejack as she headed back home, munching on the fritter as she walked through town. “And a few other things too,” she added when out of range of Applejack.