A Tale of Two Minds

by AcesCalifornia

Chapter 14 - Running of the Leaves Pt.3

Chapter 14

Running of the Leaves Pt.3

The day was pulling to a close as the last stragglers of the Running of the Leaves finally crossed back into the clock-tower capped plaza of the village at the centre of rural Mareyland. Those few last runners being back-lit by the setting sun behind them, which painted the sky a gradient from bright orange to dark ochre.

Finish their tumultuous race with a slow trot, Melissa and Turnover finally approached the plaza. On arrival, Champlain and Carnation were quick to be upon them, having spotted their son's arrival easily among the empty street around them. No other pony had finished close to them, and for all intents and purposes, they were one of the last over the line. Both parents approached with smiles and intent to give commiserations and congratulations all the same. Turnover's performance today was not to his usual, but that to them was to be expected for all the strife he had been through the past season.

And yet, on closing the gap to their son, they were met with an emotionally broken figure. They had expected his result to have hurt, but how the stallion looked at this moment went far beyond their expectations. Stains of matted and knotted face fur had traced lines of tears. The pony's underside and legs were covered in dirt, not the usual dusting from the run that would be expected. Instead dirt and mud was caked on, not only along his barrel but upwards across his chest and onto his neck, even stretching to under his muzzle. The stallion's eyes were wide, emotional; threatening to spill more tears.

They both wanted to dote on this immensely broken colt in front of them. Carnation giving way to Champlain to offer the first motes of comfort. The shorter stallion removed his Stetson, holding it on a fore-hoof before wrapping his son in a hug. Carnation joined on afterward, holding both stallions in her life within her fore-hoofs and resting her head under Turnover's muzzle, mud be damned.

“What happened out there son? Somethin' happen on the track?” Champlain enquired with immense worry, the first of them to break the silence to begin getting answers.

A whimper emerged from Turnover's closed muzzle, as internally Melissa thrashed around in her mind, remorseful of the consequences of her actions. As the most collected of the duo at that moment, Turnover projected to Melissa's presence as waves of emotion drowned out most everything else in Melissa's growing panic attack.

“Mel! Mel! Melissa!... You need to answer them! Jus'... anything alright?” Turnover followed up with a frustrated sigh as he continued “Jus' tell them it's nothing for them to worry about.”

And so Melissa did, plainly stating to his parents in a wavering, whimpering tone “It's... nothin' to worry about...”

The trio remained still in their embrace, the parents still providing as much comfort to their son they could offer through it. Carnation eventually would take up continuation of attempts to obtain answers.

“Is it about Lobo? Did you see her? Did something happen?” She asked, to no verbal answer from Turnover, just a shallow shake of the head. To that answer, the parents glanced at each other with an ever growing look of worry.

As the family stood in an uneasy embrace, from behind Popcorn approached sipping from a cup of soda or something of the like. It was clear she had finished far in front of Melissa, now seeming to have been casually awaiting their arrival. She approached wearing a cocky smirk, but immediately upon seeing the ruinous state Turnover's body was in, the pegasus dropped everything, drink included, and exclaimed “Woah... Bud?! What happened to you?!”

Before Melissa could have responded, though she wouldn't have wanted to anyway, Turnover began to instruct her. “Okay, Mel, let me handle Popcorn. Right?” Melissa could only give a simple 'mhmm' in confirmation back, and began to relay Turnover's message.

“Popcorn, we need to have a talk.” Melissa relayed to Popcorn. “It's about...” Melissa paused in a reluctant grief-fuelled regretful struggle to continue, clearing the sudden lump that caught in Turnover's throat. “...C-can I pull you aside... for this.” Melissa asked independently from Turnover's telegraphing, deciding not to air everything to Turnover's parents where they had no need to know.

“S~ure” Popcorn replied with an ironically unsure cadence, stretching out the word's pronunciation.

Melissa carefully retracted Turnover's body from the embrace of Carnation and Champlain, looking at them with softer eyes in attempt to both wordlessly thank them for their care, and to telegraph that they were truly fine.

Without Turnover to be the center of their embrace, Champlain took to holding Carnation side-on and close into his body, Carnation's head resting a-top of the stallion's due to their height difference.

Melissa approached Popcorn, walking beside her and giving a flick of the head in a direction that Turnover had instructed Melissa take Popcorn towards, a corner of the plaza that held a few empty tents and stalls where they could finesse their way behind for complete privacy.

As Melissa stepped away from Carnation and Champlain, both Turnover and her heard Carnation ask emotionally “What happened to them, Champy?” sounding on the verge of tears herself.

Melissa and Popcorn sat on their haunches facing each other, surrounded on two sides by the fabric dividers of the sides of market tents, and the other two by brick walls of plaza-facing buildings.

“Ah need to come out completely honest, Popcorn...” Melissa began to transcribe for Turnover, before Popcorn cut in softly.

“If it's about the bet, don't sweat it bud... whatever happened must-a been nasty... you did want to talk to me about the bet... right?” Popcorn began, effectively hitting the nail on the head as to why Turnover had wanted to talk to her.

“Yer spot-on Popcorn.” Turnover directed Melissa to respond. He had taken a fair amount of time to decide how he was going to trot the middle-ground between being honest to his best friend, but not revealing the existence of Melissa. Popcorn had effectively voided all chance of it ending poorly with their quick insistence of dropping the bet thankfully.

“Truth is Popcorn... after what happened to me at the farm, Ah don't feel like myself quite no more. Whatever that there explosion did, Ah can't do quite so many physical things as Ah use to...” Turnover expounded in the way he saw best able to hit that middle-ground of truth and concealment. He wasn't lying, Melissa's inexperience of being a pony was as disabling as a physical injury. And because of Melissa's presence he wasn't technically “himself” any more either.

That would need to be something he'd need to discuss with Melissa about at some point. As much as he hated how Melissa broke his trust with her, he couldn't deny that for who was previously a female dragon; being suddenly thrust into being a male pony mustn't be a pleasant experience one bit.

But, he couldn't feel comfortable in losing himself either if he gave Melissa even an inch to run with. He was a male pony, and he was only comfortable staying as a male pony.

Looking at the pegasus sat opposite him, he could only find amusement that it would be them more than anypony... anycreature... that would even begin to know and understand the feelings Melissa had.

“So... maybe today, Ah pushed myself too hard. Maybe Ah've been pushing myself too hard ever since our... bet... Maybe since before that bet? Jus' today pushing as Ah did during the race, broke the Yak's final straw, you know?”

As much as it strained Melissa to let out a chuckle as Turnover chuckled internally to himself, Turnover then continued his explanation to an attentive Popcorn.

“Celestia knows how many times Ah ended up in that mud... That's why Ah look like I crawled through Tartarus... So... Thanks for offering to drop the forfeit Popcorn.”

With Turnover finished with his explanation, Melissa took a pause herself to be sure Turnover had truly finished before beginning to add her own sentiments. Her actions were a breach of trust not only to Turnover, but to a budding friendship with Popcorn as well, so she felt it only right that if Turnover got an apology from her, then Popcorn should as well.

“An'... I'm sorry for everything too, Popcorn. Taking that wager and treating it the way I did, treating you the way I did... I know that wasn't right.” She apologized, dropping all masking of Turnover's rural accent to speak solely for herself, though she also knew Popcorn wouldn't understand the sentiment for what Melissa wanted it to be.

Suddenly, both Melissa and Turnover were jolted from their sombreness as Turnover's body was tackled into another embrace. The pegasus opposite them had launched themselves at Melissa and Turnover, hugging them tightly.

“You don't have to apologize for anything bud! That bet we had, forget about it! I'm just glad you recognize you need to go easier on yourself now... you have, realized that... right?” Popcorn responded, the enquiry at the end being matched with a glare into Turnover's eyes.

Which was suddenly paired with a moment of realization as Popcorn pushed themselves away to be at fore-legs length from Turnover's shoulders, and proceeded to check their body before giving out an annoyed-yet playfully embellished, grunt “Now I gotta make you pay for giving me more to wash off tonight... not like I wasn't sweaty enough from all the running and wearing this stupid binder...” They complained with a tone of playfulness, shaking their barrel at the back-end as if it would rid them of the binder they still adorned containing their wings.

At sight of this, having allowed herself chance to apologize, Melissa cracked a small smile at the display.

“So... you gonna help me remove this bud?” Popcorn poked playfully, pointing back to the binder with a playful look of expectation.

---

Accompanied with Popcorn, Melissa and Turnover returned to Champlain and Carnation. Both parents were alert and constantly scanning the horizon beyond the finishing line. Champlain spotted their return, and akin to how Melissa and Turnover pulled Popcorn aside for a private conversation, Champlain caught Popcorn's attention and corralled them aside for their own private talk.

Meanwhile, Carnation approached her son and softly flung a fore-leg around their neck and with a practised soft tone offered a proposition to Turnover. “Let's get you some hot chocolate, hmm?” A matching soft-smile accompanied the softly given suggestion.

“Sure, ma'.” Was the simple answer that Melissa gave back, only half paying attention to their surroundings as the thought of a well earned treat ticked in her mind. She won't feel settled with a hot drink, but the comforting goodness of a sugary treat if this place had it she felt deserving of at the least.

Heading towards one of the few remaining tents that remained open within the village's square, Melissa and Turnover observed the private conversation between Champlain and Popcorn play out. Whatever the topic was about, Champlain had his hat in his fore-hoofs again, and Popcorn's eyes displayed some level of alarm, before snapping to determination and giving Turnover's father a casual yet stiff salute with one of their wings.

Shortly after, Popcorn had popped into the air before gliding over slowly, shaking the determined look off their face to be replaced by a gentle smile. Landing in a manner that they could continue at a trot the matching speed of Turnover, they spoke.

“Hey bud... your gonna be okay. Yeah?” They first announced more than questioned in a reassuring cadence. “I gotta zip off now, I'll see you sometime later... Take care of yourself... Turnover.”

Both Popcorn and Melissa had paused their trots by this point, turned to look at each other before Popcorn pulled Turnover's body into another hug. Then with little fan-fare, Popcorn launched themselves into the sky and towards the direction of the finishing line. Melissa stood, paused in place for a moment watching Popcorn shoot off at a pace, before the front leg of Carnation once again draped itself over Turnover's withers and gently directed them back in the direction of the drinks stall the mother was taking them to.

They ended up getting settled at a table outside of Carnation's choice of vendor. Melissa had in front of her just a fruit juice and a cupcake with a heavy coat of frosting, while Carnation was cradling a hot chocolate between her hooves. Not that Carnation was drinking it, as her mind seemed distracted with a constant watch, split between observing Turnover's face while shooting the occasional reassuring smile, and the marathon's finish line where her face would fall into a concerned frown.

A feeling that something was terribly wrong permeated the mind-space between Melissa and Turnover, denoted by both Popcorn's sudden departure and how Carnation's behaviour played out in front of them.

Another glance following the worried glare of Carnation's sight caught another curious scene being played out. Towards the clock-tower's temporary stage, which at this point in the evening was beginning to be disassembled, Champlain stood among a group of other ponies that carried themselves as figures of authority. Including which was the mayor they had seen opening the race earlier that day. There were also ponies wearing high-vis vests like the stewards, but the alterations to their vests compared to regular stewards suggested they were leaders. Whatever their conversation was about seemed to be of great seriousness from all party's body language.

“Hey Mel, ask ma' what's going on... somethin' ain't sitting right with me.” Turnover requested to which Melissa carried out.

“Hey ma'... what's going on? Why's pa' with all them stallions?” Melissa ended up formulating as a question.

“It's nothing you need to worry about, darling.” The matriarch responded, switching focus to Turnover to answer, giving another reassuring smile which was beginning to ring hollow for Turnover. She then darted her head back towards the finishing line.

“Nah, something's going on.” Turnover commented to Melissa. Internally he began to reason out what may be occurring. “Well... we passed the finish line. They were there to cheer us up. Popcorn was there, we went and had our talk...”

Melissa joined in this silent session of personal reasoning once Turnover's shared thoughts petered out. She went over most of the same factors, disparate pieces beginning to click together before she had a sudden realization.

'Turnover... Where's Lobo?'

That was the simple question that Melissa came to. They had personally fallen behind most of the pack early on in the race, and Lobo at that point was still in front of them. They then experienced failure after failure; delay after delay; even a complete and total emotional breakdown at which point they were immobile. They had to have been one of the few ponies left needing to cross the line, and yet as the sun had reached it's final moments in the day and stars started to decorate the sky, Lobo was still not present. She hadn't been present when they arrived, and she'd not crossed the line any point afterward.

Turnover picked up on Melissa's train of thought, and responded back in a stuttering, panicked tone, although his instructions were clear enough for Melissa. “M-Melissa. A-Ask that to ma'.”

“M-Ma'? Where... is Lobo?” Melissa equally stuttered out.

Again, met with a growingly ineffective smile, Carnation dramatized another weak dissuasion against her son's growing worry. “It's all fine, darling, your father's got this handled.”

“She's not come across the line yet, has she?” Both Melissa and Turnover enquired, wishing beyond hope that they have just misunderstood the situation.

With a light and dainty sigh of defeat, Carnation continued to stare into the eyes of Turnover, softly responding “No, she hasn't... I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Your father's letting the directors know, but I'm sure she'll be along any time now.”

“Melissa, we need to go. Now!” Turnover near enough shouted to Melissa internally, jolting her from the seat at the cafe at the final exclamation. “We need to go help! Start from the finishing line, we'll go backwards.” Turnover commanded.

“Wait, Turnover dear!...” Carnation began, having launched herself from her chair onto all fours and throwing a hoof up to try and catch Turnover's attention, only to come to no effect as Melissa had already began bolting back to the finishing line.

The dash towards the finishing line was suddenly blocked by the short stocky figure of a stallion, as Champlain bolted in front of Turnover and Melissa's path, stopping them in their tracks with a skid. “Turnover! Let it go son! The marshals are out there doin' their jobs.” He began, holding his son firmly between the shoulders as they sat opposing each other on their haunches. “They got a relay through the marshals down the route telling them to do a search. An' Popcorn's volunteered to search the route from the skies, alongside the pegasi marshals.” Champlain continued to explain.

And with a pleading look on his face that radiated caring, Champlain gave his only request to his son at this moment. “Please, just head home and rest up son... You need it... more than any of us.”

“But Lobo is out there! Something's happened and she needs help!” Turnover complained internally to Melissa, relying on her to copy his emotions as she parroted the statement to his father.

“And what can you do Turnover?!” Champlain responded, firmness permeating the otherwise caring sentiment. “Your injured too, and in no state what-so-ever to even begin doing anything to help! What? You gonna run the entire course again over night?!” Champlain asked rhetorically, frustration breaking clear in his voice.

Then he let out a lengthy, grounding breath, calming himself through closed eyes, before returning to look directly at Turnover. “Ah can't afford to lose both of you. An' that's a risk if'n Ah let you run out there willy-nilly. An' look at your coat... Go with Ma' back home, get yourself clean and to bed. Ah'll be out here, don't cha worry. If she comes back, Ah'll be here.”

“No! we got to get out there! Tell him Mel! She's out there having who knows what happen to her!” Turnover complained further internally to Melissa. But Melissa just hung Turnover's head down and sighed closing their eyes before replying.

'He's right Turnover. Just, we look like absolute hell, and between us I don't think our minds are clear enough to handle all this. Let alone what we may end up coming across.' Melissa admitted. Turnover didn't respond, whether that was from agreement or disagreement with her reasoning, Melissa couldn't tell, but she could tell either way that he was disappointed.

From behind, a hoof once again tapped one of their haunches looking back to find that Carnation had approached from where she was at the stall. “Come darling, let's get you home. Champlain will be here still, right hun?” Getting a nod of confirmation from Champlain, Carnation continued “And Lobo's got the entire staff of stewards searching for her. She will be found dear.”

And with that, no further statement needed, Carnation turned and began trotting towards the exit of the square that lead back to the farm. After receiving a hug from Turnover's father, Melissa began to shadow his mother on the way back to Willow Springs, keeping a number of paces behind.

Wherever Lobo was, she could only hope she was safe, and would be found while they were recuperating from Melissa's folly.

Author's Note:

Hey so good news! I got the writing bug again, and am in process of writing the next chapter. It'll be done when it's done so I'm sorry to say I can't promise next week, or even at any close time. But alas, work is being done!

And good timing too as with this publishing of the third Chapter, it calls the end of this small Running Of The Leaves three-parter. It took much longer than I would have liked, but alas, poor health makes allowances for no-pony.

With that, I hope you all have enjoyed this little three-parter micro-arc despite not being the 5-stored Chapters previously aimed for. Next chapters, will be out when they're ready to be out! Til then, I'll see y'all about!

Comments

[Thesearcher]

Interesting concept, going to check this out later. If I may say, there are some groups for stories involving body sharing that could help people interested find this.

[AcesCalifornia]

12154448
Thank you for your interest! And certainly if you could point me in direction of some of these groups it'd be much obliged! :D

[Thesearcher]

12154453
I can reply with the links if you want, I've got them bookmarked on my browser.

[AcesCalifornia]

12154464
That would be supurb thank you :)

[Thesearcher]

12154489
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/202368/folder/25612/sharing-one-body
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/208956/folder/46414/fusion-merged-stories?page=2
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/218031/plurality (May not quite fit, though it does allow for fics that aren't about DID
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/215248/folder/72748/multiple-minds-in-one-body (back to the ones that fit well)
These are the ones I could find quickly (minus 1 with only 9 fics in it.)