"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.
oh wow, I was not expecting that kick in the feels in the end, well done crystal.
overall great chapter
Weather, my stallion, you're doing great!
Ha, how come you can do those moments so well? This is such a simple set of sentences and yet it conveys so much. Admirable!
A wondrous comparison. And another amazing chapter!
We start out so good only to end on a bitter note.
I'm glad there are other characters in the mix, since we know that Tumble and Silent are fine, but we don't know the fate of the rest of the support group members families.
There was something I forgot to address in the previous chapter: perhaps Golden could possibly try out finding her special somepony like Crystal and High Horse have!
That is my kind of place without a doubt. I may have made some hasty dinner plans after reading this chapter.
They dodged a possible stampede of ponies there. That said, I can't think of any reason they might not franchise a bit with Dawn and Thumble opening up a Canterlot branch. You can never have enough places that serve, oh so yummy, pancakes!
Quick! Play something ominous!
Who will be reassured and who won't? How long will this blissful feeling that each pony who receives a letter experiences, last? Now that they've had their first hit of hope, how long until they crave another?
Tune in next time to Flying Ferociously to see what Snowy, our hope dealer, is up to.
New vocabulary unlocked: honeysuckle
:>
The scene with the couriers passing out the letters actually reminds me of that movie called We Were Soldiers. Half the movie was about the military wives coming together in support of their husbands out in the field. There was a scene where the wives would support each other when "that" letter would arrive.
Crystal might have thought before she knew what it took to be a Soldier's wife, but really she had it in her all along. Keep being strong, Crystal. For your friends, your peers, your husband, and for yourself.
*glomp-tackles Crystal* "It'll be alright, Crystal! I swear it! Or my name's not 'Some-Random-Fan'!"
Au: "Hey! That's-!"
"Don't worry, you're next!"
Au: "Don't you even!"
7455809
She, uh, needs to learn a few things first. But yes, I think a special somepony would do wonders to "mellow her out." Someday. Just not a pony with all the emotion of a 2 by 4.
7455839
(Sorry, it was the best I could do. There's apparently only one "dun dun dunnnnnn...!" sound effect in the entire world, and it's horribly cheesy.)
Only one missing letter? Sounds like Crystal got off easy here.
This is the second most insensitive and annoying line that could be spoken at that moment.
The most insensitive and annoying would be:
"...So... We're still going to shop for keepsakes before the getting on the train, right?"
7456088 Glad that you agree with me on that.
7455742 Thank you! Yup, I'm not done throwing punches... not for a while, yet!
7455754 Weather is a fun stallion to write, indeed!
Thank you, thank you. I don't know how I write them, but I'm glad you enjoy them!
7455757 It's how I do lately! Yes, it helps to have Crystal in a group of ponies in a situation for those who are up-to-date on Trials.
7455809 Perhaps. Perhaps not! I guess we'll just have to wait and see what I have already planned for the story and its characters.
7455839 I even put pancakes first in the list just for your sake!
7455860 Huzzah! It's been a while since I gave you some new vocabulary.
7455890 Aww. That sounds like a very bittersweet scene.
7455903 Her mothers' training on being large and in charge are good for something, that's for sure!
7456088 Au, my. You are sharing those glomp-tackles around with all the ladies, aren't you? ;D
7456148 Two letters (Bonnie and "a weak voice") confirmed, indeterminate more in "the process continued with some names called and other names skipped". So, about 4-6 missing letters. I've not built out every pony in the support group, so naming each one wouldn't have much effect.
7456306 Yes, more than one missing letter. You did detail that.
I should have said 'only one breakdown'. But with the destruction of the Harmony, I expected more, I guess.
It's hard to deal with groups, but you're making it look easy!
Crystal, Crystal is awesomely wonderful in this chapter. I'm actually really curious how Equestria's military delivers the bad news. Do they just send a letter basically saying, "sorry 'bout your luck." Or do they send a casualty notification officer (those are the soldiers who deliver the bad news) to the families?
Here's an interesting article of what it's like to be one of those officers.
Crystal is best.
Just... in general.
7456321 Ahh, gotchya. Still, only one breakdown that Crystal was paying attention to. She was so focused on wanting her letter that she didn't pay attention to the first or subsequent ponies whose names were skipped. I guess I didn't really display that very well, eh?
That aside, well, there are a lot of ponies across Equestria whose loved ones are overseas. 4-6 is a pretty big number, percentage-wise, that are missing letters in such a comparatively small sample size!
7456324 Derelict answered this a few chapters back:
7456380 Awww. I'm sure she would be flattered to hear that, and try to humble her way out of hearing that.
7456306
I'm just sharing, 'cause, y'know, glomp-tackles are perfect for taking anyone's mind off of... well, everything else. It's just that I bounced off Bastion and got a bloody nose for my trouble.
By the way, Dawn's super-cuddly - even of strangers - Toffee gives a really good return-hug, and Au makes the most adorable squeaking noises.
"That was unbridled rage, you reprobate plebian!"
7456409 Meh, I doubt me or either of my OCs would actually say it aloud anyway ;)
7455839
How's this:
The emotional toll at home makes for a great read.
Good for you, Crystal, being all proactive and stuff.
Hugs today go out to Bonnie. I don't really know how to comfort people (or ponies), but hugs usually help.
And a letter for Golden! Hopefully this will reassure her that her father hasn't abandoned her.
I am easy to please and this is my favorite chapter this year.
7456825
The more ominous sounds/music the better!
Have a pancake for this:
To pancake or not to pancake...that isn't a question. — Posted
7456088
It comes, it comes!
Have a pancake for that:
People love making pancakes. In this activity one immediately sees results. — Posted
7456306 Okay. It was just a suggestion.
O_O *Heavy Breathing*
I must be patient for the next chapter. This is gonna be hard.
Is she gona start counting the days? Like for how long he's been gone?
7456830 I'm glad it pleases, thank you!!
7456860 Hugs do usually help. Physical touch is a surprisingly effective drug, in the sense that even from a stranger, it can reduce pain. (There's actually a great TED talk about the physiological effects of hand-holding!)
7456904 And while I appreciate the enthusiasm, there's just not a lot for me to respond to as a comment. I already have the story planned out, so all I can say is "perhaps, perhaps not".
7457307 PATIENCE, YOUNG ONE. I can only write so fast. ;~; (But I'm glad you like it that much. )
7457443 Very well.
I am surprised nopony just get angry to not have a letter when other have one. (one of the part of the grief process)
7457971 wikipedia agrees with you
7456409 Oh! I didn't register that as a CNO, but that does answer my random question.
Awwww poor Bonnie But Silent's alive, and that's enough. Every chapter of this is worth the wait, even if my feels are constantly being destroyed...
Poor Bonnie I hope it will be alright, and if not the group takes care of you, it's what ponies do best.
Nice to see crystal stepping up.
Hmm. Rose Princess is becoming a queen of her little band of war spouses. Its rough. but it is very good thing that she got them focused and gave them direction when emotions was running wild. Also. Country dawn is adorable!!!! there needs to be more! this was a good chapter.
Suddenly, I find Dawn to be far more interesting. There's only so much of a quite, shy, entirely inoffensive character that I can take, and this is a welcome development.
And she would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those
meddling kidsannoying family members.Oooo, the letters.
Well, some letters. Poor Bonnie. Not that the situation as described in Silent's letter is particularly good, it more or less sounds like they're mid-rout.
Good, no, great on Crystal for stepping up like that. This is forcing her to develop and mature in a way that would probably have never happened without the war.
I keep expecting silent to go mia or mistakenly listed kia. I'm getting that flight or fight feeling a lot on this emotional roller coaster. I really REALLY want to stop reading this story, but i can't, if only to have hope silent comes back and ponies loved ones make it home safe. The sign of a well written word.
7458923 Bonnie would disagree that "that's enough"!
7459988 She definitely has a good group of ponies to do their best for her.
7460821 For the groups' sake, and for her own. Something to focus on is good for her, I think.
7461743 Hahaha, I love country Dawn! She's so cute, and this just makes her cuter.
7464389 Well, I certainly can't let characters get boring/repetitive/dull on you! I'll just start giving them all accents to keep you on your toes.
Except then the accents will become normal... hmm... bad plan!
Absolutely. Crystal has lived a more or less sheltered life, and not that I'd wish war on anyone, it's definitely put her in a position to grow strong.
7467168 I'm glad you're enjoying it!
first thought in my head when I read that is scooby doo
7470823 If it weren't for my meddling siblings!
The courier of death takes many forms, in this case a young mare
Personally, I want to see the letters Dawn and Tumble are sending back and forth.