//------------------------------// // Home Is Where the Hump Is // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// It was night when Rainbow Dash touched down on the front cloud bed of her floating home. She immediately locked her limbs, staring dead ahead of her. Even in the starlight, the varnished surface of the "For Sale" sign glinted with malevolent purpose. No amount of wind had turned the post crooked over the past twelve hours. With a fuming breath, Rainbow lifted one wing. She grasped a bundle of freshly-signed papers. Another sigh, and she entered her home. "Mrmmfff... grnnngh..." Panting, sweating, Rainbow shoved several bits of furniture across her room. It took the better part of two hours, but she managed to empty two cabinets and a chest before relocating them towards the western foyer. In the third hour, however, her strength gave out. Or—more appropriately—her limbs. She grimaced, pausing for several minutes to sit and flex her forelimbs. No amount of exercising could bring more than a miniscule tingling sensation back to her hooves. The mare exhaled in frustration, glancing at the multiple pieces of furniture still lingering in her apartment. She sighed... and the sigh turned into a groan... and the groan conspired with gravity—pulling Rainbow Dash down so that she collapsed on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Only one light was on in the house. Rainbow felt the need to conserve whatever energy or mana she had left in the abode. Even still, the dimness magnified the unshakeable feeling that her home had always been a domain of shadows. She closed her eyes, and she didn't feel a difference. It was both a distressing and comforting sensation. So long as she had eyelids, she could be home anywhere. Her mind lingered on the thought, and then it lingered on nothing. For she had fallen asleep.