"Thank you so much for breakfast," Crystal said, smiling down the long farmhouse table at the mare and stallion sitting at the head of it. "It's really generous of you to feed such a large group on such short notice."
Dawn's mother, Sunrise Surprise, waved a hoof and giggled. "Think nothin' of it, sug!" Almost all of her was a perfect sunrise—an orange coat to match the setting sun, its final golden rays turned into luscious curls—and a single pink swirl served as a cute surprise.
To her right was her husband and Dawn's father, Hawthorne. He chuckled as he brushed a few muffin crumbs out of his white coat, his shaggy green mane nearly obscuring his deep red eyes. "We've got the means. Most we can offer to the cause is a meal to y'all. Well, save for sendin' Acreage off to volunteer."
A choking cough signaled which of the children was Acreage. "Dad! I'd do no good in war. I'm a farmer, not a fighter."
Laughter went around the table, and Crystal's gaze followed it. Smiling faces sat at each chair, some belonging to Dawn's family and the rest her support group. A whole spread of farm-fresh goods lay before them: pancakes, muffins, toast, porridge, biscuits, gravy, and jam of every kind from plum to honeysuckle.
It was a beautiful breakfast, and their hosts were unspeakably gracious. Honestly, Crystal couldn't understand why Dawn would ever willingly leave for a place like Canterlot. She would trade the splendor of high society for the simple but wonderful comforts of this farm and its keepers any day of the week.
"So, Dawny, you said there were some sorta vouchers for military support groups?" Sunrise waggled her butter knife in her daughter's direction. "We didn't hear nothin' 'bout this."
Dawn's ears flattened to the side. "O-Oh, I—"
One of her older sisters tossed her head back, laughing with a careless snort. "Mom! We ain't a business. Don't be silly."
"Don't call your mother silly, Barley," Hawthorne muttered, his lips hardly moving beneath his beard.
With a smile, Dawn shook her head. "Yes, but—"
"Besides, we still got goods," the older stallion continued, gesturing at the table of food that all ponies there freely enjoyed. "We can share."
Dawn opened her mouth, but before she could even speak this time, one of her other sisters chimed in. This one seemed to be the youngest of the bunch, with Dawn just ahead of her in age. "I'm sure Dawn didn't mean any harm by it, Papa."
"Could y'all stop interruptin' me?!"
The room fell silent and all eyes turned on sweet little Dawn, an unfamiliar scowl on her lips. Everypony else from the support group—Crystal most certainly included—gawked in disbelief at how a rough country accent had completely overtaken her normally soft and gentle voice.
Sunrise Surprise giggled with unadulterated glee, clapping her hooves. "There she is! There's my little buttercup! I thought Canterlot had taken her away, but now I can recognize her again."
Dawn huffed and ran a hoof along one of her twin braids, her brow furrowed and lips pursed. "Ponies don't talk like we do in Canterlot, Ma! I've gotta fit in, okay?" She glanced down the row of faces staring at her, then sighed. "An' now y'all ruined my friends' impression of me..."
"Ruined!" Bonnie Vivant took a swig of orange juice and set her mug down with a forceful thud. "Little filly, you just became three times cuter! But that aside, let me have your parents' attention for a moment." Her eyes narrowed just slightly with coy intrigue. "I would love to write a review of this establishment. It's a little out of the ordinary, since it's not a restaurant, but these pancakes are easily the best I've ever had."
Hawthorne chortled and drummed his hooves against his stomach. "Mighty kind of you, but nah. Helpin' ponies like y'all is one thing, but we ain't got interest in bein' a tourist trap for Canterlot folk."
Bonnie hummed, then gave a wave of her hoof and winked. "I understand. I'm disappointed, but I'll get over it. Somepony pass me another pancake to soothe my broken heart!"
Laughter lightened the mood once more. At Crystal's side, she heard Toffee whispering to Dawn, "Don't worry, I don't think anypony will think less of you because of an accent..."
Crystal smiled and gently interjected, "Toffee's absolutely right. I'm really impressed, though. I had no idea you had an accent at all!"
A light red flush overtook the pale blue of Dawn's cheeks, and her soft-spoken voice returned. "Normally, it's easy to hide, but then that happens..." She sighed. "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for my family. Somethin' about being around them just brings it out in me."
"Aww, you know ya love us," Dawn's youngest sister said, nudging her in the side. "I mean, at least you did before y'up and abandoned us all. No hard feelin's, though!"
"Ellie..." Dawn shot her a light glare, but it was softened by a giggle as she pulled her sister in for a hug.
Toffee quietly cleared his throat. "A-As much fun as I'm having, I should really get back to my bakery." He glanced a few seats down at Weather Front. "Whenever you're ready, of course!"
Weather shoved a biscuit in his mouth and responded with a muffled, "Mmhm!" He pumped his hoof into the air for extra measure before scooting his chair back. He gave what could only be assumed as his gratitude said around the mouthful of food to Sunrise and Hawthorne before he gestured for Toffee to follow him outside.
The room fell back into a casual lull of conversation between bites of food. Crystal took the time to observe; pony watching was good for her writing, or so she believed. Committing to memory the various different ways in which ponies moved and talked was a useful pastime.
Bonnie savored every bite she took, sometimes even closing her eyes to focus on the taste of something. Bastion, on the other hoof, ate everything in one bite and so quickly that Crystal had to wonder if he could tell what flavor of jam he used. At his side was his polar opposite: Golden, with her dainty little knife and fork to ensure each bite was perfectly portioned for a lady.
Personalities, mannerisms, habits—all of these things fascinated Crystal. There was no end to them. It did make her wonder about her own characters, too. Fatinah likely ate each meal with a voracious appetite that contrasted with her bliss at savoring the flavors. She loved food, and with how she roamed the Saddle Arabian desert, she needed the sustenance to keep up with what the sun and the sand took from her.
Before she knew it, breakfast started to wind down. Plates were pushed away and ponies leaned back into their seats with full stomachs and happy smiles.
"There's still an hour before the train arrives," Crystal said, slowly rising to her hooves. "Would anypony like to do a little shopping in town with me?"
"That sounds like fun," Dawn said, glancing at her parents. "I'll go with them."
Sunrise put a hoof to her cheek and sighed. "And now she's leavin' us again, right after we finally found her..."
Dawn puffed out her cheeks. "Mom!"
"I wouldn't mind a little shopping, either," Bonnie cut in. "I want to find a little souvenir or something to remember this trip."
That idea seemed to stir the others into action, and once gratitude had been given to their hosts, the group started their way down the dirt road that led back to town. Crystal reveled in the scent of sun-baked wheat and the feeling of fresh air against her coat. She more than understood why Horsey moved to Ponyville. The town, despite being so small compared to Canterlot, was brimming with an unfiltered, pure essence of life.
"I'm sorry for my family," Dawn muttered, her ears flat to the sides. "They can be a little—"
"There's nothing to apologize for." Crystal giggled. "You have a wonderful, loving family. You shouldn't apologize for that at all!"
Dawn sighed, but flashed a smile and rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "I guess nopony appreciates what they have. They're my family, so I just think they're embarrassing. But... I love them anyway."
Crystal's gaze faltered as it fell to the ground beneath their hooves, then quickly looked back up to the town ahead of them. "I suppose you're right."
Nopony appreciated what they had; she certainly was no exception to that, was she? She had a father who had done his best to support her all her years, and she had repaid him by lashing out at the worst time. When she got back to Canterlot, she would have to go apologize. It was the very least she could do.
"It's such a shame," Bonnie commented from her spot a few paces ahead of them. "I almost don't want to go back home." Her tone dropped into a melancholy depth. "I feel like the war can't reach me if we stay here."
Crystal hurried into a trot and nudged her shoulder against Bonnie's. "Don't think of it that way. Just—"
A distant, incoherent yell tore through the air, and everypony came to a halt. Heads jerked in each direction, trying to find where the sound had come from, until one of them shrieked, "What is that?!"
All eyes followed the direction of a pointed hoof to see several figures in the sky. Crystal squinted, as did a few others. All that she could discern was that whatever they were, they were heading straight for them.
"Is it a flock of birds?" Passionfruit tilted her head to the side.
"No." Bastion snorted. "It's a bunch of personal airships. Just some rich ponies' kids out for a joy ride."
Dawn gave a startled gasp and exclaimed, "No! Look! It's Toffee!"
Crystal looked at Dawn. "What? Are you certain?"
"Yes!" Dawn nodded. "Absolutely! It's Toffee, Weather Front, and, um—"
The yell echoed over them again as the figures grew nearer, and this time Toffee's voice could be heard clearly from where he clung to Weather Front's back for dear life while the pegasus flew as fast as he could.
"The couriers are here!"
Everypony on the ground responded with various exclamations, ranging from whoops of joy to cries of relief. Crystal just stood there, terror seizing her heart. The couriers. Her gaze darted between the figures that were starting to have distinct features the closer they got. A stallion, a green mare, a purple mare, another stallion, and—
A familiar white-coated mare with a short-cropped blue mane.
Tears pooled in Crystal's eyes, but she tried not to get too worked up just yet. Snowy wasn't her special, personal courier. She would have letters for other ponies. She might only have letters for other ponies.
Weather Front landed first, followed by the other pegasi. There was a pause as the thought that plagued Crystal's mind seemed to overcome them all and, for a moment, it was as if time had frozen. The couriers sensed the apprehension, leaving everypony afraid for the process of letter distribution to start.
None of them wanted to be without, and yet... none of them could wait any longer, either.
The green-coated mare cleared her throat. "Well, we're here! We've been looking for you all. Warrant Officer Radiant Orchid told us that we could find you here in Ponyville, and thank Celestia we ran into these two on the way. Especially Toffee, since..." She reached into her satchel and pulled out three envelopes. "I've got a letter for him, as well as Passionfruit and Bastion."
Toffee nearly fell off Weather Front's back in his scramble to get to the courier. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" His cheeks were already wet with tears.
Passionfruit was quick to get her letter after him, and Bastion just stood where he was. His expression was completely void of emotion, but Crystal knew he had to be feeling something. There was no way he couldn't.
"Here you are, sir," the courier said, holding the envelope toward him and giving it a small shake.
"I heard you. I see it." He didn't move for a moment longer, then reached out a trembling hoof to take it from her. "Thanks."
Crystal's heart pounded as she tried not to look at Snowy. She didn't want to see her face. She didn't want to know until it was her turn to either hear her name, or fall apart.
The air was thick with tension as the next courier stepped forward. "I have letters for Weather Front, Dawn Walker, and Au."
Weather surprised a squeak out of the stallion when he picked him up, enveloping him with both his forelegs and his wings, squeezing him tight. "Just what I wanted to hear!" He set him down and took the envelope, trotting to the edge of the group to read it with some semblance of privacy.
Golden's magic snatched the envelope and she tore it open right then and there. Her chin trembled as she breathed, "Thank Celestia..."
A sigh of relief escaped Dawn as she clutched her own to her chest. "You can say that again. I'm so happy he's all right. Your father and my—"
"What about me?" a weak voice interrupted and fell into a soft sob when the courier gave a reluctant shake of his head.
It was awful, but Crystal couldn't muster the empathy right then. She was too consumed with waiting. Waiting for her turn. Waiting to know her husband's fate.
The process continued with some names called—to much joy—and other names skipped—to much despair, until Snowy stepped up to deliver the last set of letters. Crystal felt her heart start to race and a cold sweat overtook her when Snowy's lips parted. She didn't even hear the other names listed. Her mind was flooded with dizzying elation when she heard the only one that mattered to her.
"—and Crystal Wishes."
He had written her a letter. He had survived the Harmony. He was okay. He was alive.
As she tried to step forward, she discovered that her whole body was trembling. She instead remained where she was and took the letter offered to her with magic, bringing the wonderful piece of paper closer. It was such a delicate thing that could be lost to a splash of water or a pair of scissors, and yet it was, at that moment, the most important thing in her world.
Crystal
I do not have long to spend on this missive and I apologize for it. It is a miracle that the messengers are even getting these out now. I will not lie to you with flowery words and half-truths. It is your right to know the truth.
By now I cannot imagine you haven't heard about the Harmony. I survived it. Since that time we have been in fighting retreat. The Sudramoar army harasses us endlessly and I fear there are far more casualties to be reported soon. I will keep my promise though. I will return safe regardless of the cost.
You may worry for me but do not let it consume you. There is no future in that. Hope that this ends soon and that I will be home in your hooves. Until then know that I fight for you and those we've lost. Know that I struggle against aggression. Believe that I will overcome it.
Silent
"No."
Crystal glanced over to see Bonnie, tears falling down the older mare’s cheeks.
"No, you're mistaken." She stepped toward one of the couriers. "Check your bag again. You have to have one for me."
The stallion's ears folded back and he said with a weak attempt at a reassuring smile, "There are still letters coming in, Miss Vivant. It could just be delayed. Don't lose hope."
Crystal closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, pushing out the sounds of Bonnie breaking down into tears for a moment. She'd had her fill of selfish moments. She relished in Horsey's embrace, she ignored the suffering of her friends while waiting for her letter, and she had gotten one when others did not.
It was time to be the pony in charge again. Her vacation was over.
"Bonnie." Crystal stepped toward the mare, watching her slowly wilt and crumple to the ground. Carefully, she reached down and put a hoof on her cheek to force their gazes to meet. "Bonnie, look at me. It's going to be all right. You're not alone."
The only response she received was an incoherent series of whimpers and whines.
Crystal moved the hoof to wrap it around Bonnie's neck and pulled her in for a hug. "It's all right. I'm here for you. We're all here for you." She ran a hoof along her back in a circular motion as the mare started to sob. "Shh... It's all right."
Over Bonnie's shoulder, Crystal saw all the different expressions. Relief. Joy. Fear. Sorrow. Guilt. What was she supposed to do? She wasn’t prepared for this. Holding one another had worked during the news of the Harmony, but this was different. She needed to say something, she just didn't know what that was.
"Ladies and gentlestallions," Crystal began as she pulled away from Bonnie and stood tall under the weight of so many varying gazes on her, "this was unexpected... and yet, at the same time, it wasn't, was it? We all knew that the letters were going to arrive soon, and we all knew that not all of us would get one. We came here to Ponyville to try to not think about that awful reality looming over us. But we can't simply hide from the war forever.
"It's back, and it doesn't care for whom it hurts. Remember the reprieve we enjoyed, but also remember that our loved ones have had no such luxury. If you received a letter, then it is your duty now to support those that didn't." Crystal reached down and took Bonnie's hoof in her own. "Who is Bonnie's care companion?"
Weather Front cleared his throat. "That'd be me, ma'am."
Crystal nodded and squeezed Bonnie's hoof. "Then I entrust her to you. Ponies, pair up with your care companion. If one of you is without a letter, then I expect—I demand that you stick together. If, for some reason, you can't stand beside your companion due to work or family or otherwise, then find somepony in the group to take your place." Her ear flicked and she added, "Golden, for now, you'll be my care companion alongside Bastion."
Hooves shuffled and soft words were exchanged as they all moved into groups of two. Tears were wiped away, hugs were given, and, then, all eyes returned to her. Expectant eyes. Waiting eyes. Eyes that reflected the uncertainty and need for guidance she herself felt.
Bastion, who stood at her side, nudged her. "What now, oh great leader? Hmm?"
Careful to keep the surge of annoyance at him from bleeding into her voice, Crystal shook her head and said, "What else? We go to the train station. We wait for our train. We go home, we ensure nopony is alone, and we keep moving forward. That's all we can do."
A melancholy gloom surrounded them as, some in pairs and some in groups of three, they continued on their way. One hoof in front of the other, step by step, they kept going. While Silent fought to keep his ponies safe, Crystal would try her hardest to do the same for hers. That was all she could do.