It was late in the summer when that callous announcement came to Rose's doorstep, completely plain apart from the royal seal on the exterior of the letter.
'Your household has been chosen to send one member to defend your nation. Report to Canterlot in two week's time or prepare for inquiry by the Royal Guard.
For the future of Equestria.'
And, apart from a few minor details about where to go, who to report to, and what to bring, that was it. Not even a signature from a princess or one of her staff. Rose stood at Ink Well's side as he read, the normally calm writer sitting in a tense silence. After a very long time, he finally put down the letter. “There has to be some kind of mistake...”
“Inky, you know-”
Ink Well stood up, glaring at the offending letter as it sat on his writing desk. “I know the princesses personally, I sent them both letters warning her against this exact action! I wrote a book about it! They know I'm a conscientious objector, how can they possibly ask this of us?”
Rose stepped a little closer, annoyed that she was cut off. “Inky, even Sweet Apple Acres had to-”
“Besides, we have three children to take care of! Both of the fillies are far too young for this, and they can't possibly expect us to send Newsprint over there! He's the only remaining writer for the Ponyville Chronicler. That only leaves you and me, and we're definitely not prime fighter material. I don't know what-”
Rose placed a heavy hoof on Ink Well's shoulder, silencing him. “Ink Well, it has to be done. Even Daisy had to join, and she and Lily are the only two running their house. We should be happy that only one is being called for.”
Ink Well sighed. “But this is ridiculous! This war has been going on for five years already, and what do we have to show for it? Isolation and pain. You'd think a friend would be exempt.”
Rose shook her head sadly. “The rules can't be bent for us, especially when they couldn't even be bent for Applejack, but you know what the inquiry is like. Just prepare for that. If you give a good enough case, they won't fine us or anything, and we'll be free and clear.”
Ink Well stomped his hoof, noticing as he did a small click from the door of his writing room. Behind it was the gentle thudding of young hooves... He'd hoped they wouldn't have had to know so soon. “Right... Yeah. I shouldn't be worried. I'll get started on that, alright?” Frazzled, he nuzzled his wife gently before sitting down and looking at the letter once more. “Just... don't let it affect our daily lives, okay? The town is dour enough, it doesn't need its perfumes mixed with a hint of sadness.”
Rose just smiled softly, nuzzling him back. “I won't, and neither should you. It's nothing but a letter.”
Ink Well nodded as Rose went to the door. She was absolutely calm, but he knew her better. She was just as frightened as he was. A slight hesitation in her steps, a little more tension in her movements... When she looked at him, he forced a smile, trying to put them both at ease. “Just a letter, nothing more.”
As she exited, he looked down at the letter, a loud sigh escaping his trembling form as he pulled out a sheet of paper and grabbed his pen. If it was going to be an inquiry, he'd at least let them know beforehoof. It might get them just that little leniency he needed.
The next two weeks passed normally, the family happy and the weight of the impending trial seemingly gone. It only held in Ink Well's study, and even then it was a feeling of importance, not of doom. The weekend before the inquiry the family even had a picnic in the park, laughing and talking as though nothing was wrong. Closer inspection showed strain on the children's faces and worry on the parent's brows.
Rose went to work on the day of the inquiry on the advice of Ink Well. While he assured her that her moral support was invaluable, he knew he had it, and it was just a week before the Grand Galloping Gala. The perfume rush was in full swing, and it wasn't as though life wouldn't continue once Ink Well was done clearing up this mess.
It was late in the evening when Rose finally got home, having been forced to stay late for a couple stubborn customers. However, instead of the welcome she expected from the entire family, only Ink Well was there, the aging Ellipsis and her pup Dot keeping the dour pegasus company. Immediately Rose knew she should have been there, but she asked a silly question, holding out hope. “So how did it go?”
The defeat she saw when Ink Well looked at her practically ripped her heart out. “I am to report to the Canterlot Barracks in eight day's time for basic training.” His voice was cold and heartless. “I managed to make them give me the night of the Gala, but no more. I also made sure they wouldn't come for you or Newsprint.”
“Inky...” Rose walked over to him solemnly, wrapping him in a hug and feeling him shake. She'd never seen him like this.
“I couldn't let them drag Newsprint into this... it's not his fight. But... Why does the country have to fight?” His hooves wrapped around her, clinging to her for support. “What happened to harmony? To friendship? The story of Hearths Warming was about precisely this. We're smarter than this...”
Rose just held him close, feeling the wetness seep into her shoulder as Ink Well started crying. Her own tears fell as well, silently, as her world was pulled from under her. “I don't know... But if anypony can stop it, it's you.”
Ink Well shook his head. “I don't know if I can... but I know I will try.”
The couple didn't explain what was going to happen to the kids. They could tell, when the three came home, that all three already knew. There was a sadness to their every action the following week, right up to the evening of the Gala. Rose was just thinking about a goodbye dinner for the family when Ink Well walked past the kitchen door, his bag slung across his shoulder and his hat on his head. She didn't know what he was thinking, but she knew exactly what it meant.
Immediately Rose dropped her preparations, catching Ink Well at the door. “You have one more night.”
Ink Well stopped sharply, as though he'd been caught sneaking something he shouldn't, before turning to face her, a determined look on his face. “I thought you knew I was leaving today. My call tomorrow is too early for a train in the morning.”
Rose looked him up and down, but the sadness was clear in both of their bodies. “At least stay for dinner. The kids will want to see you before you go.”
Ink Well shook his head, a smirk growing on his face. “I won't be gone long. If all goes well, I'll be back by morning.”
“What do you have planned?” Rose said with a raised eyebrow, not sure what to make of that look. It sounded too good to be true.
“The other reason I'm going tonight is to meet with the Princess at the Gala. Princess Celestia meets with every guest, and we have a standing invitation to every Gala she holds. If I can talk to her directly, maybe I can convince her to stop all this nonsense, or at least let me out of it...” His smile grew. “I've been doing this all wrong, going through her officers. We are friends, she'll have to see her mistake and correct it.”
Rose hesitated, hearing both his determination that it must be true and the crazed hope it would be. But... it was a plan. It was better than nothing, and right now she'd rather cling to a tattered raft than swim the rapids alone. “I'm coming with you. We'll make the case together.” Ink Well looked stunned, about to cut her off when she continued. “No. I wasn't there for the inquiry, I'm going to be there for this.” She walked over to him, kissing him lovingly, almost forcefully, before she continued. “We're a team, Inky. We'll be together 'till death do us part, whatever gets thrown at us.”
Although he moved to object, Rose could see clearly in his eyes that he was grateful she'd insisted on coming. “But the kids'll hardly survive if left alone.”
“The kids will be fine. None of them can cook, but they don't need to for a salad.” She walked a little ways away, opening the closet and pulling out a stunning gown, the same one Rarity made for her so long ago, before folding it and placing it in Ink Well's bag. “There, I'm packed, let's get to that station.”
Ink Well just smiled, kissing Rose as he opened the door. Immediately his nerves were calmer, both of them feeding off of each other for support. They ran to the train station quickly, Ink Well running up to the ticket window as he got there. “Two for Canterlot, please. The next train you have.”
The ticket pony sighed loudly. “There's only one more train going out today, in five minutes, and it's only got one seat.”
Rose's jaw dropped. “What? What do you mean?”
The ticket pony looked at her sternly. “You heard me. There is one ticket. Only one of you can go.”
“Rosy-” The voice was calm.
Rose stomped her hoof, hearing the whistle of the train behind her. The train she wouldn't be getting on. “But that's not fair! You can't separate us today of all days! Just sell us an extra, we'll share a seat!”
The ticket pony shook his head.“Nothing doing, sorry.”
Rose's voice rose to a shout as she leaned up against the glass.“Just this once, bend the rules. He's leaving for Celestia knows how long and I can't just let him go off on his own!”
The ticket pony matched her, shouting from his side.“I can't do it! Now do you want the ticket or don't you?”
Rose pounded against the glass, her hoof shaking where it impacted. “You can't-!”
“Rose.” Ink Well placed a comforting hoof on Rose's shoulder, stopping her shaking when she turned to face him. “I'll be fine. We'll be fine. You'll see me tomorrow. Besides... you know they can't bend the rules for us.” He bought the ticket, getting it at the same time the conductor called for all aboard. He kissed Rose deeply, holding her close as he did. When he finally tore himself away, he looked into her eyes. “I love you Rose. And nothing is going to keep us apart. Not a train ride, not a war. Nothing.” He pulled her dress from his bag, giving it back to her, then walked slowly to the train, his determination showing in his stride.
As Ink Well stood in the door, he looked back one more time, seeing Rose on the platform, the dress laying forgotten at her hooves, tears streaming down the mare's face. “I love you Ink Well. I'll be waiting.”
Ink Well's eyes began to tear up, and it took all of his willpower not to run to her as the door closed. Instead, behind the window, he showed her his confident smile, the one she'd fallen for so long ago.
His words were lost to the noise of the station, and it took all of Rose's will not to chase the train from the station. Instead she just stood there in the swirling steam, watching her love be taken away.
It was a fine morning, the bright sunlight of early fall shining across all of Equestria, bringing warmth and light to all of its inhabitants. It warmed the birds in their nests, it danced upon the flowers out in the gardens, it gave life to the apple trees out in the fields, and it managed to land directly on the eyes of Flora, tossing tiredly in her bed. She threw the blanket over her head, placing her chin on her pillow as she glared at the shadow of her head thrown across her wall. “Every morning, right in my eyes,” she muttered, feeling the warmth already seeping into her body. “It's like the Princess aims for my window...”
After a couple unsuccessful minutes of trying to get back to sleep, she tossed off the sheets and rolled out of bed with a soft sigh, reluctantly starting her day. Her emerald eyes roamed over the walls of her room, a slight frown forming on her face at the various drawings and posters that were there. They were... out of date. Dreamy stallions and prized pictures from years gone by. The most recent was at least five years ago by now. She was definitely growing up, it was time for her room to show that...
Or so Flora promised. She'd promised something similar for the past few years, just like she'd promised she was going to move out of her mother's house eventually, or get rid of the desk she didn't use to give the potted plants more light by the window, or put her pillow on the other side of her bed... She was really good at promises, it was making them happen that always seemed so difficult.
The cream furred mare gave the room a once-over, tallying down all the things she had to do mentally before crumpling up the list and tossing it aside. It was a job for another day. Today she had something more important to do. She got herself ready, looking her burgundy mane over in the bathroom mirror before heading down to the kitchen. It was going to be something quick, probably toast, or maybe an apple, then she had to head out. There were a lot of things that needed to get done, and only so much daylight to do it.
However, as Flora got downstairs and walked through the dining room she was greeted with a sight she hadn't been expecting: her mother, sitting there with the morning paper, a bowl of oatmeal, her book of memories, and the air of sadness that always seemed to follow her around. Flora stopped her own plan, walking over to her mother's side to read the headline quickly. Something about the upcoming Gala and Twilight's trip to Ponyville Didn't think that would be newsworthy... thought Flora, remembering the meeting she'd interrupted.
“How are you this morning, mom?” Flora asked with a smile, the brightness of the sun earlier filtering into her voice.
“I'm fine, dear.” Rose's response was laced with a heavy sigh, sucking energy from the room just with its tone. Flora wasn't going to let it stop her, though.
“It's just, if that clock is right, it's a little after eight, and you open the shop at eight promptly. I know it's a Wednesday, but it's also a few days before the Gala. Aren't you going to greet your customers?” Flora's tone was soft, suggesting without being condescending. She had a feeling it wasn't helping.
“There aren't any customers. The only one for over a week was yesterday, and that's going to be the only one for another month at least. It'd be cheaper to keep the shop dark.”
Flora tsked at Rose's words. “Don't say that! You have a very loyal customer base! Times are just a bit rough right now for everypony. Still, if somepony makes the trip out to your shop, shouldn't there be a smiling face to greet them?”
Rose sighed. “Not today. If they really want something, they can come back tomorrow... or next week. I'll be open some other time.”
Flora fought not to roll her eyes. This was a routine she'd been getting good at, but she'd never seen it this bad before. “Mom, you can't just give up your shop because things are bad. It's your destiny, and it brings joy to so many ponies' lives. You should go when you're done with breakfast.”
Rose looked annoyed at everything Flora had just said, but there was a long silence as words were left unsaid. Eventually, though, her mind was made up. “Here's an idea. You can sit in the shop today, if you're so worried about it. I'm thinking today's a good day to catch up on my reading.”
The conversation was over, Flora knew, and no amount of coercion was going to change that. Mom had made up her mind, and indeed, it was more stubborn than usual. But even that wasn't going to stop Flora. “Alright, if you insist missing a day won't hurt too much, I'll take your word for it. But try to at least get outside today, okay mom? It's much too beautiful a day to miss behind closed curtains.” The non-commital grunt she got in response was about the best reaction Flora could hope for, so she quickly hugged her mom, grabbed an apple from the kitchen, and left the oppressive air of the dining room for the stuffy air of the living room.
Flora hoped the disappointment she felt hadn't made it to her voice or face as she shook the tension out of her shoulders. Barely awake twenty minutes and she was already starting to feel the stress of the day... It was a problem with her house. As much as she loved the home she grew up in, for the last five years it had slowly gone from a place of joy and comfort to a stress-filled mess. As much fun as it was to walk on eggshells constantly, she found herself happier each day to be heading out.
She looked over at the dog basket, seeing Dot laying there, tail wagging lazily as she got attention. Flora just smiled at her. “Hey, make sure to go outside and bark a bit later. See if you can't get mom outside and talking to somepony, alright girl?” The dog's tail stopped as she nodded, only starting again when Flora ruffled the fur between her ears. “I dunno what mom'd do without you.”
After giving the dog her mission, Flora tied a green bandanna around her neck, taking great care in making sure it wouldn't go anywhere. She then grabbed the keys to the store and her breakfast apple and made her way outside into the fresh, warm, energetic air of Ponyville. With just one breath, a smile appeared on her face, and on her way she went.
Flora took the time to savor the apple as she made the walk a few streets over to Rosewater. After flipping open the mailbox and seeing nothing in it, she unlocked the door and went inside. The sight of the nearly bare shelves in the dim interior made her sigh, a little of the weight from home returning to her shoulders. This was a perfume store, one she spent countless hours in as a filly, examining the many delicate phials of every color that ran the aisles, every smell under Celestia's sun bottled somewhere in her mother's store.
That aromatic wonderland was gone now, a shade of its former glory standing in its place, a faint floral scent hiding among the musty stillness. It almost hurt her to walk through the store in the shape it was in... If only she could get her mom brewing like before. No better perfumer outside Canterlot, or in it, if some of her past clients were a tell, lost to a lack of motivation.
Flora finished her apple and pondered the ever-present problem as she made her way behind the counter and into the back room. She had considered opening the shop up in Rose's place, or maybe cleaning things up a little, but the atmosphere was just too heavy to stay in, and, while she hated to admit it, her mother was right. Anypony looking for perfume had it, staying in the shop would be a waste of time.
But, in case it wasn't, she wanted a backup plan. Flora moved around the back office and stills, kicking up dust in the seemingly forgotten room, but eventually finding precisely what she needed on a neglected desk nestled between the brass machines. With a pen and a few moment's time, a note was formed: “Business closed due to unforeseen circumstances. Please place order in mailbox, we will get to it as soon as possible.”
She read it to herself twice, once to make sure there wasn't anything misspelled and again to make sure it didn't sound too stupid, before nodding and picking up the entire pad of paper. Moving quickly through the shop, she grabbed two tacks and carefully secured the note and the paper to the front door, leaving the pen dangling by a string for orders to be left. It probably wasn't the best way of doing things, and, rereading the note, perhaps the instructions weren't quite clear, but this seemed like the best compromise.
After frowning at the door for a moment, Flora took the pen in her mouth, writing 'Order Forms' on the top of the notepad, hoping that would clear up any residual confusion. Just as she finished that, a friendly voice called out from high above. “Hey there Flora! What are you doing out here? I haven't seen you out of your greenhouse in days.” Flora looked up at the mare talking to her, shielding her eyes from the sun behind the flying form.
“I'm not in there that much, Silver. Besides, I have to make sure everything in there can survive a few days without attention while I help with Apple Buck Season.” It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the bright morning sky, but soon Flora wasn't looking up at a speck, but a white pegasus mare with a purple mane and matching eyes hovering above her lazily, hiding her deceptively high energy. “What brings you this way, Silver?”
Silver Lining did a quick flip in the air, landing smartly in front of Flora. Every inch of her exuded confidence, from her crest down to the rain cloud cutie mark on her flank. It was something Flora always envied about her. “Just a fly over on the way to Sweet Apple Acres. Jazz was hoping to go over the rain plan for Apple Buck Season, but I doubt it'll be any different from last year. Spare what rain I can from town, and wrestle in some from the Everfree if we don't have enough. Though, now that I'm looking... there are a few rogue clouds over the market, so I might start helping him early.”
Flora smiled, seeing Silver's wings already starting off. “Be careful with that. You can't just throw water at a plant and hope it grows. Too much and it drowns, too little and it wilts, and at the wrong time you could mess with everything.”
Silver Lining shrugged, rolling her eyes. “Whatever you say, green hoof. You keep your hooves in the dirt, I'll keep mine in the clouds.” She finished her statement with a smirk, showing it was all in fun.
Flora smiled back. “Yeah. Don't want a repeat of that cactus again.”
Silver's smile dropped. “You're still on that? That was years ago! And you said it was a desert plant!”
Flora shook her head, the memory of the shriveled brown husk still vivid. “I have never seen a plant more desperate for water. And then you drown it before throwing it off a cloud! How cruel is that?”
Silver frowned. “You told me to get it water ASAP, I make rainclouds for a living. What did you want from me? Besides, I didn't throw it! I didn't realize how heavy it was. It fell through on its own.” Silver stuck out her tongue playfully, signaling that the conversation was over and drawing a giggle from Flora. “Anyway, we need to catch up at some point. Like, for real. I'll see ya around!”
“Of course! Talk to you later!” Flora called out to Silver, who was already effortlessly sailing over the rooftops. Flora watcher her go, remembering how Silver always talked about joining the Wonderbolts when she was younger... with her speed, she would've been a shoe-in.
Flora went about locking up the shop as soon as Ponyville's weathermare left. Ponyville was one of the few towns in Equestria to still have a weathermare, and really it was no surprise. When a group of pegasi brought a tornado onto Canterlot five years ago, ponies under Princess Celestia's rule had somehow... generalized. Pegasi started getting looked at suspiciously all throughout Equestria, and it got so bad that those that weren't driven out almost universally defected to the Lunar Republic. Pegasi of all ranks, from all over Equestria: Wonderbolts to weathermares, royal guards to Flora's own sister, all made the trek. A pegasus was a rare sight in Equestria, and one in flight even moreso. They were either afraid or just didn't see the point of being singled out... but not Silver. Flora really wished she could be that kind of confident.
Still smiling from the surprise visit from her friend, Flora made her way across the street and behind Daisy's, another shop worse for wear ever since its namesake owner had departed for Canterlot. Lily had done her best on her own, and the displays of flowers were there, but... they just weren't the same that used to grow. A common trend, it seemed. However, the fenced-in garden behind the path, fresh with the spouts of some nice winter flowers, also held one of Flora's favorite places: her greenhouse.
When she was young she'd always liked to help out her mother in the garden, doubly so when Rose would come back with the annual Fall Flower Festival first prize. However, while Rose seemed to have a talent for a few flowers, she knew her skills lay primarily in sales and perfumes, so she'd directed Flora to Lily and Daisy's tutelage. Under them, she'd learned so much vital information about plants in and out of season, and, as a birthday gift for being such an adept student, they gave her their old greenhouse, tucked in the corner of their garden, both in slight disrepair and overgrown, it was mostly a tool shed. But, with a little hard work, she'd managed to make it gleam and shine in the sunlight.
In there she put everything she'd been taught to good use, even surprising Lily with how well she was able to grow flowers out of season, but that wasn't where she'd stopped. She asked for tips from the farmers around town, any advice they could give or any seeds they'd be willing to let her use, and they'd been supportive of the young aspiring farmer. In that little greenhouse, she had grown everything from carrots to cucumbers to grapes, an apple tree from Sweet Apple Acres (now planted back at the orchard), and even a hybrid citrus tree that grew oranges, limes, and lemons, all on the same plant!
And yet, none of it compared to one single plant she grew in there, very dear to her indeed. She unlocked the door of the greenhouse, opening it slowly, her eyes immediately falling on her prize project. Sitting in the center of the greenhouse, where it would get the most light and far from the many flowers that ringed the walls, was a crystal rose bush. She had been cultivating it for years, taking extreme care to nurture it from the one flower she'd snuck out of her mom's room...
She'd heard the story from her father, his ramblings about the crystal tree with flowers of every shade in the glass dome of a boat sailing through space, from which he'd taken a single, clear rose to propose to her mother with. However, even when she was small, she knew her father was a creative pony, and he was an amazing storyteller, so while the visuals were stunning, down to the wonderful scent she could almost imagine, she couldn't really be sure if what he said was true, except for one way. Applejack had told her about some plants that could be grown from cuttings from other plants, and it was something she had wanted to try out. What better thing to try it out on than the crystal rose? If it didn't work, then it proved that it was something her dad had bought and given a fantastic story. If it did work... so many things he said would have to be thought of as true.
So in the middle of the night, Flora tiphoofed into her parent's bedroom, taking the flower from its vase on the bed stand and running it to her greenhouse. She planted it just as she'd been told, giving it plenty of nutrition just the right amount of water, and a place of honor where it would get the most light, both from the moon and the sun. It caught even the moonlight so beautifully, spreading a rainbow across the floor... she remembered the excitement she felt, just knowing it would work.
She also remembered how her mother screamed the next morning. Rose searched frantically for the flower, and suddenly Flora's dream idea of growing a whole tree as a surprise for her mom didn't seem to be going so well. But the damage was already done, and mom throwing a few hysterics would be completely worth the payoff, right?
Flora took extreme care of the crystal flower in the pot, giving everything the tiny plant could ask for... and yet she saw no sign of it growing. After a three days, only the disappearing water was any sign anything was happening, and after a week, it hadn't grown a centimeter. By this time Rose was a shambles, with no idea what could have happened to her precious engagement gift... it was too much for Flora, and, crying, she confessed to what she had done, apologizing profusely to both Rose and Ink Well for the trouble she had caused.
However, instead of the punishment she'd expected, they both pulled her into a loving hug. Yes, they were a little mad she hadn't asked permission, but her intention had been clear enough, and as long as no harm was done, they were willing to let it slide with only a little warning. When she said it hadn't grown at all, Ink Well wasn't surprised. It had been so long since it was cut, after all.
They all went out to the greenhouse to collect the crystal flower, but when Flora opened the door, she gasped in delight. The flowerpot, always holding the single crystal flower, now had a small sapling, the first flower looking more beautiful than it ever had, and a small bud promising the growth of a second. She had no clue how it had grown so quickly, but it had, and now she had the beginnings of her own crystal tree.
However, as Ink Well pointed out while she stared at the sapling in wonder, that wasn't all she had gained that day. Emblazoned on her flank, for all the world to see, was a crystal rose, its coloring that of a normal rose, and yet the transparency and the shine were visible even in the cutie mark. Rose regained her precious gift, Flora gained her cutie mark, and she had never seen a smile as big as Ink Well had on his face at that moment... it was quite possibly the greatest day of her life.
It seemed rather long ago now, considering her age was nearly doubled since then, but just looking at the bush that had grown made her feel like it was worth it. It hadn't been easy, and it had been slow, but that tiny sapling had grown steadily into a respectable rose bush, complete with a larger pot to hold it in. It was a plant nopony had seen before, and even now very few ponies had seen it since. Flora liked to keep her projects secret, from her special tree down to her flower festival entries, her personal life was her own, as was what she did behind her greenhouse door.
Picking up the watering can by the door, Flora began to make her rounds, giving each flower pot, each planted crop, and every agricultural experiment precisely the amount of water it needed. She examined them all thoroughly, adding fertilizer where needed, trimming away what wasn't helping... it was a slow and careful process, but with every bit of dirt getting on her hooves and every wipe of her bandanna across her brow, she felt a little more calm, a little happier, and a whole lot farther from the troubles of the world.
So what if her mother's garden had been neglected for years, and Rose hadn't even entered a Fall Flower Festival since her father had disappeared? So what if the crystal rose bush had stalled its growth almost completely for years now, not even new flowers budding or old ones dying off? And what did it matter to her that Ponyville was resembling more and more of a ghost town, with only old, lonely ponies and young mares and colts to watch over the nearly empty streets and buildings? The carrots needed to be moved into more light, she had to refill her watering can, and Apple Buck Season was less than a week away.
As the sun reached its apex and the temperature in the greenhouse rose, Flora found that her job was done, at least for now. It wouldn't hurt to check on the plants again before nightfall, especially considering she'd have to leave them for a while when she was helping Jazz, but there was simply nothing more she could do here, and her stomach grumbling for lunch was enough of a distraction to stop.
So now she had a choice. She could go get some food at home, returning to that stuffy house and hoping her mother's mood had improved, or she could let that little nagging pull at the back of her head take over. Jazz had wanted to talk to Silver about the upcoming season, maybe he'd like to talk to her too? And the smell of the apples ripening on the trees, the breeze rolling through the orchard carrying it directly to her... And Jazz was an apple. Everypony knew they had some of the best food around, even with half of them gone away.
As much as she wished she could say she struggled, the choice was clear the moment her options were weighed. With a smile she tied her bandanna back around her neck, checking her mane in a mirror she'd set up in the greenhouse. Confident she didn't look too bad, Flora locked the greenhouse door behind her, whistling in the fresh Ponyville air as she started down the path to Sweet Apple Acres.