The twilight has darkened the sky, and the moon was rising along with the stars. That's when the sisters were leaving the city of Baltimare. They checked the map and saw the next city before Ponyville was Applelooza, throating it would take them an hour and a half to arrived, but because of the things they just experience they felt like taking their time this time and keep a calm pace. Regarthless if they arrived in an hour or two, they will still have to wait until morning to make their delivery. The moon helped them see where they were going, but they took a lantern oil that Marble brought just as an emergency just to be sure.
Once again, nopony said a thing. The silence of the night made their hoofsteps echoed even more. Limestone thought on ways to make a conversation without touching Gilda's topic or ask about whatever her sister was hiding from her, If she does things might go even more awkward.
Limestone looked up to the sky and noted clouds in the distance. She couldn't tell if they were white or black, because of the darkness of the night. She remembered her father said "Clouds are pretty, but can be deceiving. Even the smallest cloud can cause a storm" and because she couldn't tell if it were rain clouds or regular ones she was more than unsure.
"Maybe we should look for a place to spend the night, and we keep going tomorrow" suggested Limestone.
"Look around. Do you see anywhere we can shelter?" Replied Marble.
Limestone checked the area more carefully, she noticed that they were in a plain. The only thing they could do would be to set up the tent they had, but in a storm that wouldn't help at all. Having no other option they kept moving forward. As they progressed the scenery changed little by little. The plain changed to a more desertic area, different and more solid kinds of rock appeared, and the few clouds there were before, now covered the whole sky preventing the moon lights to touch the land. And before they know it, rain drops began to fall.
It started to drizzle, and both ponies worried for the worst "Okay, I think it's to accelerate. Move!" Said Marble as she trotted faster.
Limestone kept up with her sister, but took the time to look around. Because the scenery had changed now there may be a place to shelter in case the rain intensifies. The ponies ran and what started as small rain drops became a storm. Lightning and thunders hit the ground as if the pegasus were attacking. The rain fell like water fall on the little ponies. They could only run and followed what little was left from the path for them not to get lost. But then, they came into an impasse. As the rain flooded the land it causes a river that prevented the sisters to continue. Thankfully Limestone spotted a structures of rock that simulated a roof, it looked dry and strong enough to withstand the storm.
"Quick! Let's go there!" Said Limestone while pointing where the structure was.
They ran to it, and covered themselves from the storm. It was big enough for them and the carts, they were not worried about the rocks because the bags were made of a special material that prevented water to get in, but the wooden carts wouldn't last long if water touch them.
Sacrificing some of Limestone’s clothes, they dry themselves. Beneath the carts there was some woods and matches in the case they had to set a camp, they took them and started a fire. At least they weren't going to be completely cold.
They sat there, staring at the fire as the storm did not seem to cease. Limestone kept thinking about conversation starters and topics to talk about to make things better, but nothing came to mind. At this point she believed whatever she said would be better than uncomfortable silence.
"So... What is your... Favorite.... Joke?" A horrible question. But it was the first thing she thought.
Somehow her sister looked sadden. Limestone knew it was a bad question, but it wasn't bad enough to make anypony sad.
And Marble replied "The one our sister told us before leaving"
Limestone suddenly regretted asking that "knock knock... Who's there?... I don't know... I don't know, who?... I don't know why you are talking to a door" Marble told the whole joke herself.
None of them laughed, but a smiled crossed their faces like a shooting star. Limestone thought it was the perfect moment to ask her sister what she was hidding, and so she did.
"Sis... I want to ask you..." Before Marble could finish her sentence she was interrupted.
"Remember when our bigger sister left?" Asked Marble
Limestone hesitated, she was very young when that happened but she could remember most of it "... Yes" she said.
"It was cold. After telling us good bye, she went to father and mother... They were crying. Then Pinkie sung us that song. She said that she would never ever leave us. That three is not a crowd, three's a team. And that our team was the best " Her voice was deeper and deeper, and her eyes empty, lost on her own mind.
The nostalgia filled the air with both happy and sad memories. This lead Limestone to gather her courage and ask “I know there’s something on your mind, and you have been hiding it since the beginning. Not wanting to meet any other ponies, and for some reason you hate, or are afraid, going to other places… Wanna talk about it now?” She asked kindly. Maybe too kind
Marble looked at her sister and smile “You are still that kind filly from long ago… Yes, I’ve been keeping secrets. Even long before we left the farm…”
“Before leaving the farm? She has never looked or done anything like past few days before” Limestone wondered. Her heart pumped like crazy, she didn’t know her sister had to say, but she knew it was something big.
Marble continued her explanation “I was scared… I’ve always been scared. Scared of the unknown, scared of destiny. So scared that I hid it from you… I’m sorry”
The conversation was too cryptic to be patience for Limestone. But at least she got her sister to talk about it, she could wait for a couple of minutes more. But she didn’t have to.
“I know what your cutie mark might be… I knew it for years. Even mine” Marble confessed. She quickly avoided looking at her sister, she felt too ashamed to do it.
Limestone was agitated, she couldn’t believe what she heard. It’s true they didn’t mind much about their cutie marks, but getting one should be part of their destinies and her sister prevented her to know and accomplish it “What?! Why would you do that?!” She yelled.
“Because I don’t want you to leave!” Marble replied. She started to cry and moan. She turned her back for her sister not to see her tears, and kept explaining “When our sisters left was right after they got their cutie marks. They knew what they wanted to do with their life, and knew they wouldn’t get it in the farm. They abandoned us! They turned their back to the family and got better ponies to be their new family. I didn’t want you to go too, I didn’t want to leave… I DON’T WANT TO BE ALONE!” A river of emotions came from her eyes, years and years of her secret fears were finally showing up all at once.
Limestone stood up and went to the carts, Marble heard how she started to move stuff around “It’s obvious she wouldn’t want to be with me. And now she’s leaving too” She thought, only to be surprised as her sister covered her with her favorite blanket she brought herself. The blanket the four sisters made long time ago.
Limestone cuddled with her sister as they used to when they were young.” Thank you for being honest and taking care of me, sis” She said “You must remember, they didn’t abandon us. They just followed their dreams. But no matter what my destiny is, I won’t leave you alone”
Marble was touched after hearing what her sister said. It felt like if a heavy weight had been taken off her shoulders. She cleaned her tears and cuddled her sister back, it was nice. Even though they spent most of the time together and they were very close, they have not cuddled since they were very young. Without something else to say and having confessing their true emotions, they fell asleep.
When they woke up the storm had ended, there wasn’t evidence of water, it was like even as if it never rained, but considering the heat of the dessert that is natural. The sun shined strong as always, but today the world looked different, brighter, colorfuler… happier. “Good morning, little sis” Said Marble.
“Good morning, big sis” answered back Limestone.
Many of their routines have been breaking out during the journey, they didn’t mind breaking another one more. They took their time before leaving. Using the little of there was of the fireplace the manage to boil some water, which they used to make some tea. They took cookies that their mother packed before leaving the farm. They took the cookies and the tea and sat and enjoyed each others company. They did not forgot about the deliveries, nor that they wanted to go to Ponyville to visit Pinkie Pie. However, they did not took importance about the time anymore. What they considered important was to listen to each other.